News Stories for Tue., Aug. 22, 2017

The Nena Springs Fire is 70 percent contained today. The acreage has not changed in the past several days, it stands at 68,135 acres burned. 240 fire fighters continue to work on the fire. Information officer Robin Broyles says all evacuation orders and road closures in Warm Springs have been lifted. She will provide a final fire update on Wednesday morning.

The Milli Fire burning west of Sisters has been putting up a lot of smoke and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office on Monday afternoon issued a Level 1 pre-evacuation notice for all areas between Highway 242 and Highway 20 and, which includes Black Butte Ranch. The level 3 evacuation notices already in place remain in those areas. The lightening-caused fire started August 11^th and has burned 10, 496 acres and is 20 percent contained.

US Bank in Madras was robbed yesterday just before 2pm. An adult male walked into the US Bank, demanded money, and left with an undisclosed amount. No one was injured during the robbery. Law Enforcement from the Madras Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies in the area for the Solar Eclipse event are actively working this case. Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation were on scene as well. Anyone with information regarding this robbery is encouraged to contact the Madras Police Department (541) 475-2424.

Authorities have identified the man killed in a plane crash near Madras on Saturday.  Mark James Rich, 58, died when his plane crashed into Willow Creek Canyon near the Madras Airport, Jefferson County Sheriff’s officials said.  The 2002 fixed-wing, single-engine plane was engulfed in flames and completely destroyed after it crashed near the top of the canyon about a mile south of the Madras Airport runway.  Rich, who was from Menlo Park, California, initially planned to fly with a family member, but their plans changed, Jefferson County Sheriff Jim Adkins said Sunday. Officials initially reported two people died in the crash.