Large swaths of Central Oregon have become consumed by wildfire, with several blazes burning across the region simultaneously, forcing thousands to evacuate and further stretching the state’s limited firefighting resources.
Over the weekend, the Bench Fire just west of Madras quickly grew to more than 20,000 acres with 0% containment. That led to Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders for the entirety of Warm Springs and other areas of Jefferson County.
Officials said Monday at least six homes and five outbuildings had been destroyed.
The Beachcomb Fire, also located near the reservation, combined with the Bench Fire by Sunday. On Monday morning, officials announced the two fires were together being called the Bench Fire and had collectively burned more than 40,000 acres.
Highway 26 was temporarily closed at one point over the weekend between Warm Springs and Madras as firefighters worked to get the fire under control. The highway closed again Sunday between Prineville and John Day, except to local traffic and local deliveries, and had not reopened as of Monday morning.
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