Two wildfires on the Warm Springs Reservation in central Oregon have prompted varying levels of evacuation notices, with one blaze escalating to 1,200 acres and another consuming about 350 acres. According to KATU, the Butte Creek Fire had reached 900 acres by 4 p.m. on Saturday, while the Greely Heights Fire was reported at around 350 acres. Residents near the fires have been instructed to quickly evacuate or to be ready to do so at a moment's notice.
Some areas have been issued a Level 3 - Go Now evacuation order by the Warm Springs Police Department, while others remain on Level 2 - Be Ready notices. A Level 1 - Be Ready caution is also in effect for certain localities, including the island of Warm Springs. An update by KGW stated that Highway 26 is closed in both directions, from the Highway 26/216 junction to Bureau of Indian Affairs Route 3. For travel updates, they advise checking TripCheck. The same source also provided the total count of wildfires in 2025 up to date, numbering 40,803 fires covering an area of 2,834,436 acres.
Late in the evening, the evacuation notices were downgraded, with the area near the Butte Fire moving to a Level 2: 'Get Set' warning. The Warm Springs Police Department mentioned this downgrade in an announcement. According to a KPTV report, the police department stated that people in the Simnasho Zone could return to their homes but should remain vigilant and ready to evacuate again should the conditions worsen.
The community's response to the blaze has been one of both urgency and gratitude. "We extend our sincere appreciation to the firefighters and support crews for their continued hard work in protecting our communities," was a statement the Warm Springs Police posted on their Facebook page, sourced from KATU. As residents watch the unfolding events, updates on evacuation levels and the status of the fires are being closely monitored through official channels, including social media.
