Stacy Chiddix, 58, died Monday after his all-terrain vehicle rolled and trapped him while he tried to shield his Madras-area property from the advancing Brewer Fire. Friends at the scene managed to pry the ATV off him and started life-saving efforts, and emergency crews later reached the rugged, remote area, but Chiddix did not survive. The crash happened on steep, burned-over ground that made the rescue difficult from the start.
Deputies and Jefferson County Fire & EMS were sent out around 1:45 p.m. on July 20 after a report that Chiddix had been thrown from his ATV and pinned underneath it, according to KATU. The sheriff’s office said the vehicle overturned on the slope and landed on him, and that friends immediately began CPR and called for help. With the crash site both remote and in the middle of active fire conditions, first responders used off-road vehicles to get in, while Frontier 911 coordinated the response and placed LifeFlight on standby in case an airlift was needed.
Brewer Fire Surges as State Mobilizes
The Brewer Fire has ripped across tens of thousands of acres east of Madras, with the Oregon State Fire Marshal listing the blaze at about 27,932 acres and only minimal containment as crews scramble to cut lines and protect homes, according to the Oregon State Fire Marshal. Gov. Tina Kotek has also invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Brewer and nearby fires, giving the state extra tools and personnel to back up local departments, the Governor’s Office reported. Officials say evacuation notices and area closures remain in place across parts of Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook counties as crews concentrate on structural protection.
Sheriff Warns Residents Not to Take Unnecessary Risks
Jefferson County Sheriff Jason Pollock said property owners are not legally required to evacuate and that some have decided to stay put to defend their homes, but he strongly urged residents in active fire zones to think twice about trying to ride it out, according to KPTV. Pollock pointed to hazards such as steep terrain, heavy smoke and falling debris that can be just as deadly as the flames themselves and warned that remaining in place can put both residents and first responders at risk. He also praised Frontier 911 for quickly coordinating the response to Chiddix’s crash and helping guide rescuers into the area as conditions allowed.
Evacuations, Shelter Options and Safety Steps
Evacuation levels 1 through 3 remain active in areas around the Brewer Fire, and a shelter is open at Madras Middle School, 1180 SE Kemper Way in Madras, according to the local alert system cited by KTVZ. Officials are urging anyone in or near affected zones to sign up for county emergency alerts, follow changing evacuation guidance closely and leave early if they feel unsafe rather than waiting for conditions to worsen. Fire crews are also asking the public to steer clear of roads being used for firefighting operations so engines, water tenders and heavy equipment can move freely.
Jefferson County authorities are still investigating the fatal crash, but there are no criminal allegations, and the sheriff’s office says everything so far points to a tragic accident, KATU reports. Officials say Chiddix’s death is a stark reminder for people living near active wildfires that the danger is not limited to the flame front itself. Residents are urged to keep a close eye on county emergency pages and official state updates linked above for the latest evacuation and safety information.
