KWSO News for Fri., Aug. 7, 2026

Wildfire activity across Central Oregon continues to improve, although fire danger remains high as another hot and windy day settles into the region.

Firefighters continue monitoring the Bench and Round Butte fires as hot, dry conditions and a Red Flag Warning increase the potential for fire activity this weekend. The Bench Fire, southwest of Warm Springs, remains 84% contained at 67,071 acres with 523 personnel assigned. The Round Butte Fire west of Madras is now 90% contained at 1,163 acres. Crews are mopping up hotspots and strengthening containment lines while smoke from burning heavy fuels is expected to continue. The only remaining evacuation is Level 1 “Be Ready” for areas near the Round Butte Fire perimeter in southwest 16 and 17.  All Warm Springs Reservation Evacuation Levels have been lifted.

If you notice smoke in the Bench & Round Butte Fire areas, Incident Command is asking residents to report it directly so crews already working in the field can investigate quickly. Be prepared to provide the location, the time you noticed the smoke, and a phone number where you can be reached. You can call 602-478-7173.

Farther north, the Grasshopper Fire west of Mount Hood has grown to more than 43-thousand acres and is 23 percent contained. Firefighters continue strengthening containment lines while structural protection work has largely been completed.

Meanwhile, the Rowe Creek Complex south of Fossil has reached nearly 345-thousand acres and is now 64 percent contained. More than 1,600 personnel remain assigned to that incident.

Smoke continues to affect much of Central Oregon. An Air Quality Advisory remains in effect until further notice. In Warm Springs, the Branch of Natural Resources monitor is reporting an Air Quality Index of 136, considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. Health officials recommend limiting strenuous outdoor activity if you’re sensitive to smoke.

A Red Flag Warning remains in effect from 11 this morning until 11 Saturday night for the Warm Springs Reservation. Low humidity and gusty winds mean any new fire could spread rapidly.   Alex Booth who is monitoring weather for the Bench Fire Area says “Saturday we have a dry cold front coming through. It’s going to come through fairly quickly, but right in the afternoon. And that’s going to bring us wind with the dry conditions, with the hot conditions, and that’s why we have a red flag warning that will be going into effect for the fire area on Saturday. Those winds will be gusting up to around 20 mph, and that’s a bit of a concern for us. That’s kind of in that extreme category for active fire behavior. So, after we get past Saturday into the week, we will see moderating conditions, temperatures going back to below normal actually, and humidity is going up, which is a positive for the fire, and winds will be going down.”

Looking at today’s weather, expect sunny skies with patchy smoke and another hot afternoon. High temperatures will reach around 102 degrees with west winds increasing this afternoon and gusting above 20 miles per hour.

As wildfire recovery efforts continue, state emergency officials are warning residents to be cautious before making donations. Scammers often use fake websites, emails, text messages and online fundraisers during disasters. Officials recommend verifying charities, using secure payment methods and reporting suspected scams to the Oregon Department of Justice.

In non-fire news –

Three new family medicine residents are arriving in Madras this week through the Three Sisters Rural Track Program. Doctors Nathaniel Cheney, Jolene Gremel and Patrick Roach completed their first year of residency at OHSU and will now spend the next two years serving patients throughout Jefferson County. They’ll provide care at St. Charles Family Care, Mosaic’s Madras Health Center, St. Charles Madras and the Warm Springs Health and Wellness Center. Program leaders say the residency helps improve access to primary care while encouraging more physicians to build long-term careers in rural Central Oregon.

Oregon families have until September first to apply for Summer EBT food benefits. Eligible children can receive 120 dollars to help cover grocery costs while school is out. Families who haven’t automatically received benefits through SNAP, TANF or the Oregon Health Plan may still qualify. Applications are available through the state’s Summer EBT program before the September first deadline.

The Wildfire Recovery Donation Center at the Old School Cafeteria will be open today from 11 until 1 with a special focus on distributing baby diapers to families in need. Beginning Monday, assistance and water distribution will move to Emergency Management at the Old School.  Emergency Management Water Distribution is today 8am – 5pm with a boil water order still in effect for the Agency Water System.

Today’s forecast calls for sunny, hot conditions with a high near 102 degrees, patchy smoke, and afternoon wind gusts up to 22 miles per hour. This weekend highs will be in the mid-90s, but breezy conditions will continue to elevate the fire danger.