KWSO News: Area Wildfire Status, Parking Detours at Community Center and Air Quality Advisory Continues

Fire management officials released operational updates yesterday regarding three active blazes burning on or near the Warm Springs Reservation. The Bench Fire remains holding at 67,079 acres with containment up to 90%, officially transitioning command to Warm Springs Fire Management on August 10th following successful perimeter security, structure mop-up, and zero heat detection over the past week. Meanwhile, the Austin Fire is mapped at 3,244 acres with 0% containment as crews navigate rugged terrain and heavy fuels to construct control lines along logging roads and drainages to protect vital utility infrastructure. The Grasshopper Fire stands at 92,408 acres with 61% containment, with recent acreage jumps reflecting internal burnout of unburned vegetation rather than perimeter growth, while mop-up operations continue extending to 200 feet along the eastern flanks.

Visitors heading to the Warm Springs Community Wellness Center over the next two days should expect parking detours to the rear lot while Warm Springs Public Utilities reseals and repaints the main parking area. The closure impacts several ongoing events, requiring families dropping off youth for the Recreation Department’s swimming trip today and attendees of Friday’s annual Back to School yard sale to utilize the back lot while driving carefully around increased pedestrian traffic.

An Air Quality Advisory issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality remains active until noon Friday across parts of Central and Eastern Oregon, including Jefferson, Wasco, Crook, and Wallowa counties, due to heavy wildfire smoke. The Warm Springs Branch of Natural Resources logged a PM2.5 reading of 406 early Thursday morning—placing local air quality in the “Very Unhealthy” category—prompting health officials to advise residents, particularly those with heart or lung conditions, to limit outdoor activities and keep children inside.

Oregon non-profit Wallowa Resources recently wrapped up its eight-week paid summer internship, the High School Apprenticeship Work Program (HAWK), designed to introduce young people to careers in natural resources alongside industry professionals. Program representative Jacob Losby noted that participants spent 85 percent of their time in the field practicing rangeland management, weed control, forestry, and GIS mapping while earning college credits through Treasure Valley Community College. Sixteen-year-old participant Katie Hellinger shared that her favorite experience was practicing electrofishing to help biologists tag salmon for migration tracking, adding that the program was a great experience that helped narrow down her future career choices.

Oregon’s public colleges and universities face significant financial strain as Governor Tina Kotek evaluates a proposed $4.4 billion higher education budget amid inflation, rising labor costs, and declining enrollment. Higher education leaders warn that state underfunding could force program cuts and tuition hikes, with former state lawmaker Richard Devlin noting that the state’s capacity to meet student and parent needs is diminishing on a yearly basis as lawmakers prepare for competing funding demands next legislative session.

Expect hot and sunny conditions today with areas of smoke, a high near 101, and low around 64 tonight. Friday brings continued heat with a high near 98 under cloudy skies and early morning smoke.