Bench Fire (Oregon)

Burning for 26 days across Jefferson County, Oregon, the Bench Fire has expanded at an average daily rate of approximately 2,580 acres, reaching a total size of 67,071 acres located four miles south of Warm Springs. Satellites over the past 48 hours have detected a single heat signature near the active fire area, where current behavior is characterized as minimal and smoldering through short grass fuels standing one foot tall. Despite its long duration, firefighters have pushed containment to 90 percent on the federal land managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

A Type 3 Incident management team consisting of 178 personnel remains assigned to the incident, with suppression costs accumulating to $22,843,716.24 since the fire started on July 23, 2026. This incident occurs against the backdrop of a broader regional and national fire context, unfolding during the typical fire season that spans from June to October. Nationally, 2,921,034 hectares have burned so far in 2026, tracking 47 percent below the two-decade average.