- Emergency Conflagration Act has been invoked for the Beachcomb and Bench fires, as well as the Second Flat Fire.
- The Oregon State Fire Marshal is assigning an incident management team and resources to the Beachcomb and Bench fires on the Warm Springs Reservation and Jefferson County and the Second Flat Fire in Harney County.
- Firefighters have shifted from containment line construction to point protection as fire activity increased, particularly on the east side of the Beachcomb Fire.
- The Beachcomb and Bench Fires and Second Flat Fire are the ninth and tenth times the Emergency Conflagration Act has been invoked in 2026.
- The Oregon State Fire Marshal has resources assigned to six conflagrations and several Immediate Response assignments as the state continues to aggressively fight numerous wildfires across Central and Eastern Oregon.
Firefighters in Oregon are facing extreme challenges as they combat multiple wildfires, including the Beachcomb, Bench, and Second Flat fires. The state has invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for these incidents, marking the ninth and tenth declarations this year, as conditions remain hot and dry.14
The Oregon State Fire Marshal has mobilized an incident management team and resources to tackle the fires, which are located near Warm Springs and Harney County. The Beachcomb Fire has burned 2,352 acres while the Bench Fire has consumed 6,201 acres, both with 0% containment as of now.25
State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple emphasized the ongoing difficulties, stating, “The last two and half weeks have been extremely challenging for our firefighters and support staff.” She urged Oregonians and visitors to be wildfire aware and to take precautions to prevent new fires.
The fires are exhibiting extreme fire behavior, with potential for wind-driven runs and long-range spotting. Firefighters have shifted strategies from containment line construction to point protection as the situation evolves. The state continues to aggressively fight numerous wildfires across Central and Eastern Oregon, with resources assigned to six conflagrations and several Immediate Response assignments.3
“State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said the last two and a half weeks have been extremely challenging, with forecast for continued hot and dry conditions. Separately, a shooting at a Seattle food festival left two dead and five wounded, including a 2-year-old child.”
KPTV
oregonlive.com
