Warm Springs Gets Hit with Second Fire

Source: Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office

From Northwest Incident Management Team 8:

The S-503 Fire burning mostly on the Warm Springs Reservation has remained in its current footprint for the past several days.  An interior flare-up of unburned fuels last night moved toward the fire’s edge but firefighters were able to maintain a secure perimeter.

Firefighters are focusing on strengthening containment lines by cooling smokes and hotspots within 100 feet of the fire line in areas of grass and 300 feet in timbered areas. Firefighters are patrolling on the ground and using infra-red night heat detection photography to locate hotspots.

The number of people fighting the fire has increased to 530 and is now 50 percent contained..   

Two hotshot crews, three engines, and a task force leader from the S-503 Fire are assisting in the securing and holding efforts of the Mill Fire which started on the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation yesterday.  

The incident management team is continuing to prioritize firefighter safety by providing extra guidance for heat-related illnesses, watch-out situation metrics and cooling tents to care for the firefighters during the anticipated historic heat event. 

Weather: Temperatures will continue to rise over the next several days to historic highs. Today, temperatures will increase to 92 degrees in lower elevations and 87 degrees around the ridges around 3,200 ft. Minimum relative humidity is forecast for 20 to 25% with northeast winds 8 mph then northwest 7 mph after 1600 hrs. with gusts to 16 mph in the afternoon. 

Resources: 530 Total: 2–type 1 hotshot crews, 5-type 2 initial attack crews, 5-type 2 hand crews, 2-camp crews, 2-heavy helicopters, 1-light helicopter, 39-engines, 6-dozers, 16-water tender, 4-skidgines, and 99 overhead.  

Closures and Evacuations: The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office has lowered all residences west of Kelly Springs Rd/Back Walters Rd to a Level 1 - Get Set. Anything east of Kelly Springs to Reservation Rd, including Walters Corners and the community of Pine Grove, is also a Level 1 - Get Set.   

Temporary Flight Restrictions: For the safety of the firefighters and aircraft fighting the S-503 Fire, a temporary flight restriction has been placed over the fire area. Please consult the “Notice to Airman” for specifics. Wildfires are a “No Drone Zone.” 

 Second Fire

While firefighters were battling this blaze, a second flare-up occurred on Highway 26 on Thursday evening.
From Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office:
About 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 24: Preliminary information is a fire started about an hour ago near the Warm Springs Casino has burned east towards the mill and crossed the Deschutes River. The fire has cut off access to Mecca Flats Campground, which is now under a level 3 evacuation notice.

The fire is burning up the hill east of the Deschutes River above the Rainbow Market. Jefferson County Fire District has activated a fire task force and resources are on scene from across central Oregon. Highway 26 is closed in Warm Springs blocking all traffic to the east. On the Madras side the highway is closed at the top of the grade near Danube (just passed Columbia). Please avoid the area and let our first responders fight this fire.

Submitted by Undersheriff Marc Heckathorn

Updated from Jefferson County Sheriff this morning, Friday, June 25: 

Fire is out east of Deschutes River and 17 fire crews continue to mop up and monitor hot spots in Warm Springs. Mecca campground is still closed until further notice.  Highway 26 is open with little to no delays.