As wildfires force evacuations across Jefferson County this week, a network of emergency shelters and volunteer organizations has mobilized to support displaced residents. Whether you need a place to sleep, help with large animals, or want to lend a hand, here is what is available right now.
Emergency Shelters Open Now
The following shelters are currently accepting fire evacuees:
- Warm Springs: Old School Cafeteria, 1150 Warm Springs St.
- Madras: Saint Patrick Catholic Church, 341 S.W. J St.
- Sisters: Sisters High School, 1700 W. McKinney Butte Road
- Prineville: Crook County Fairgrounds, 1280 Main St.
Shelters are open 24 hours. Evacuees are encouraged to bring personal medications, important documents, phone chargers, and comfort items if they have time to do so safely before leaving. Do not delay your evacuation to gather belongings if your area is under a Level 3 “Go Now” order.
Large Animal Evacuation Help
Residents needing to evacuate horses, cattle, or other large animals can bring them to:
- Jefferson County Event Complex, 430 S.W. Fairgrounds Road, Madras
- Deschutes County Fairgrounds, 3800 S.W. Airport Way, Redmond
If you need assistance moving large animals and cannot do so on your own, contact Butch David with the Branch of Natural Resources at 541-325-2253.
How to Donate
Volunteers have been turning out in force at shelters, particularly at Sisters High School, where the Red Cross and Salvation Army are coordinating relief operations. At this time:
- The Red Cross is not currently accepting physical donations at shelter locations.
- The Salvation Army has a specific need for water bottles and juice boxes for children at the Sisters shelter.
- Monetary donations to the American Red Cross Oregon Wildfires fund go directly toward shelter operations, food, and emergency supplies.
“They were out and realized that they couldn’t get home,” one shelter volunteer said of evacuees arriving in the early morning hours. “I told the evacuees I would hold their cots in case they needed to be back.”
Checking on Your Neighbors
If you are in a Level 1 or Level 2 evacuation zone and are able-bodied, now is the time to check on elderly neighbors, people with disabilities, or families without transportation who may need help leaving. Community members are encouraged to coordinate through the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and local emergency management channels rather than acting independently near active fire lines.
Stay Connected
- Emergency alerts: Sign up through Jefferson County Emergency Management
- Current evacuation map: Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office GIS portal
- Watch Duty app: Real-time fire perimeter and evacuation tracking
- Air quality: purpleair.com and fire.airnow.gov
Jefferson County emergency managers ask all residents in active evacuation zones to leave now and not wait. The situation across Jefferson County remains fluid and dangerous. Do not re-enter an evacuated area until authorities give the all-clear.