The Lower Deck Fires is burning near the Deschutes River on lands belonging to the Bureau of Land Management and the Warm Springs Reservation. The fire is estimated at 500 acres according to the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center.
UPDATE #1 Highway 26 West opened single lane each way. Expect delays. HIGHWAY 26 WEST CLOSED DUE TO FIRE. Preliminary information is a fire started about an hour ago near the Warm Springs Casino has burned east towards the mill and crossed the Deschutes River. The fire has cut off access to Mecca Flats Campground that is now under a level 3 evacuation notice. The fire is burning up the hill east of the Deschutes River above the Rainbow Market. Jefferson County Fire District has activated a fire task force and resources are on scene from across central Oregon. Highway 26 is closed in Warm Springs blocking all traffic to the east. On the Madrad side the highway is closed at the top of the grade near Danube (just passed Columbia). Please avoid the area and let our first responders fight this fire. Submitted by Undersheriff Marc Heckathorn
Posted by Jefferson County Oregon Sheriff on Thursday, June 24, 2021
The fire started around 5 p.m. Thursday near the Warm Springs Casino and burned east crossing the Deschutes River. The fire has cut off access to Mecca Flats Campground that is now under a Level 3 evacuation notice according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Hwy 26 is closed in Warm Springs blocking all traffic to the east. On the Madras side, the highway is closed at the top of the grade near Danube just past Columbia. Jefferson County Fire District has activated a fire task force and resources are on the scene from across central Oregon.
People are asked to avoid the area while fire crews work.
