Jefferson County Rural Fire District #1 and the BLM are jointly managing a new human-caused wildfire that started behind an old gas station adjacent to the Rainbow Market on Hwy 26 just across the river from the Warm Springs Reservation. The fire started in light, grassy fuels and winds quickly drove the fire south parallel to Hwy 26 and east toward the top of the river canyon. As of 6:00 p.m. this evening, the fire is estimated at 230 acres with no estimate of containment.
Firefighters from Warm Springs, Prineville BLM, Jefferson County and Deschutes County are working the incident. A Type 2 helicopter is helping fight the fire burning on a combination of tribal, private and BLM-administered lands. There is no estimate of containment at this time.
Mecca Flats Campground is under a precautionary evacuation, and six vehicles were moved out of the area.