KWSO News 8/10/26: Monday Central Oregon Wildfire and Regional News Roundup

The Bench Fire in the Upper Seekseequa area southwest of Warm Springs remains at 67,071 acres and 86% containment, with management transitioning today following the final day for Southwest Area Incident Management Team 4. Meanwhile, officials urge travelers and harvesters to avoid the area near Austin Hot Springs west of the reservation, where the 50-acre Austin Fire is being driven southeast by winds.

West of Madras, the human-caused Round Butte Fire stands at 1,163 acres with 90% containment after showing no recent growth.

The 57,087-acre Grasshopper Fire north of the reservation saw growth along its northern perimeter near Fivemile Creek and Fifteenmile Creek due to westerly winds. Firefighters successfully held southern and eastern containment lines while working along Highway 35 and the Bennett Pass area to secure contingency boundaries.

In Klamath County, the Wrights Spring Fire expanded to approximately 33,970 acres after crossing Bliss Road near Round Mountain. Fire crews face continued challenging conditions with high temperatures, low relative humidity, and gusty winds forecast across ridges and valleys.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an Air Quality Advisory for Central and Eastern Oregon, warning that widespread wildfire smoke could push air quality to unhealthy levels. Health officials advise residents, particularly children and individuals with heart or lung conditions, to limit outdoor activity when smoke is present.

Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort hosted over 2,100 displaced residents and firefighters during recent regional evacuations, offering free admission and complimentary stays. The resort announced it will maintain appreciation programs through September, providing free entry to emergency personnel on Tuesdays and tribal members on Wednesdays.

Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Higher Education Coordinator Gerald Smith is advising student applicants to finalize paperwork for the Oregon Tribal Student Grant before the September 30 deadline. Smith noted that the grant is a critical financial resource that can cover public college expenses, warning that missing documentation previously caused twenty-five percent of applicants to miss out on funding.

The four Columbia River tribes and the Columbia River Compact finalized three commercial gillnet openings in Zone 6 beginning August 17. The openings have an eight-inch minimum mesh size requirement, with standard dam and river mouth sanctuaries remaining in effect for tribal fishers.

Portland’s historic Lloyd Center permanently closed after more than six decades of operation, paving the way for site demolition and a new mixed-use redevelopment. Crowds gathered for final visits to long-standing vendors and ceremonial skates around the center’s famous indoor ice rink.

The U.S. Senate confirmed Klamath Tribes member Mark Cruz to lead the Indian Health Service, as reported by Dirk VanderHart. During his confirmation hearing, Cruz stated, “what I will bring is direct lived experience in the communities and systems I would oversee.”

Expect sunny conditions today with highs near 93°F and afternoon smoke clearing by late evening. Tuesday will remain sunny with highs reaching 93°F and smoke returning by late afternoon.