The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (CTWS) is transitioning from emergency wildfire response to long-term recovery following the Bench Fire, which, along with the Beachcomb Fire, ignited on July 23 after a lightning storm moved across the reservation. The two fires merged on July 25, triggering evacuation orders for the most populated areas of the community.
Caroline Cruz, Chief Operations Officer for the Confederated Tribes, helped coordinate the Tribe’s response during the evacuation period. Working under direction of the Emergency Manager, Cruz helped establish evacuation sites and coordinate volunteers, food, shelter, and other resources.
Hundreds Fed Daily, Thousands Sheltered
At the height of the emergency response, the Tribe was providing approximately 300 meals a day — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — out of the old school cafeteria and other facilities. Motel rooms were also secured for displaced community members, including elders and residents with mobility issues.
Cruz said the scale of community support that poured in was extraordinary. She has documented at least 219 individuals, organizations, agencies, and departments that contributed donations or assistance — and believes the actual number is significantly higher.
“The response demonstrated the strength of relationships built between Warm Springs and surrounding communities, as well as tribal and government partners,” Cruz said.
Donations came from across Oregon, other states, and tribal communities. Items included bottled water, non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, emergency kits, N95 masks, pet food, clothing, diapers, and hay for livestock. Donation drives were organized in Portland, Bend, and Redmond, while volunteers from Madras, Prineville, and other communities traveled to Warm Springs to help. The Klamath Tribes contributed $5,000 in gift cards for residents in areas hardest hit by the fire and extended power outages.
Damage Assessments Underway
With the immediate crisis stabilizing, attention is now turning to calculating losses. Cruz said assessments are underway covering burned homes and structures, fences, agricultural land, livestock impacts, and potential smoke damage.
She estimates wildfire damages could reach into the millions of dollars. The recovery fund, now exceeding $300,000, will not cover all losses — but the Tribe is working to distribute available resources as equitably as possible.
One pressing concern is livestock: the fire destroyed significant grassland needed for grazing, creating a sustained need for hay and feed through the winter months.
What Comes Next
The Tribe is working to transition its distribution operation to Emergency Management while reorganizing space at the old elementary school. Donated clothing, in all sizes, will be available at the Thursday Market on campus today, August 13, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Campus Pavilion.
Cruz said the focus will continue shifting from immediate relief to organized, long-term recovery — making sure donated resources reach the community members who need them most in the months ahead.
Residents with questions about recovery assistance or donations can contact the CTWS Emergency Management office.