Warm Springs fire nearly contained

A fire in Warm Springs burning since Sunday grew to about 9,200 acres as of Tuesday evening, and firefighters had it about 80 percent contained.

They could have it fully contained by today, depending on weather conditions, said Bill Fish, spokesman for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Fish noted Tuesday’s low humidity, high temperatures and increasing winds.

There have been no reported injuries or evacuations.

On Monday, the fire’s size had reached about 5,000 acres. The growth overnight to 9,200 acres is not unusual with a grassland fire that can quickly burn through the area’s light, dry vegetation — mostly grass, brush and juniper, Fish said. The growth also includes the fires that firefighters have started as a way to burn out vegetation and secure a perimeter around the blaze.

The Rattlesnake Fire started Sunday afternoon at Rattlesnake Springs and has remained largely in the Webster Flat area at the reservation’s eastern side, south of Warm Springs River and west of the Deschutes River. The fire at the northwest end crossed the Warm Springs River, an area of concern for firefighters who continued to focus on dropping buckets of water from a helicopter on that portion, Fish said. The fire has not crossed the Deschutes River. The Deschutes River marks the reservation’s boundary, with private and Bureau of Land Management lands beyond it.

About 180 people worked on stopping the fire Tuesday, Fish said. Webster Flat Road and Highway 8 were closed, but the closures did not affect people reaching the nearby Kah-Nee-Ta Resort & Spa.

Tuesday’s strategy involved securing the perimeter of the fire to contain it.

“The number one priority” is getting a containment line around the whole fire, Fish said.

Redmond board picks Bennett

The Redmond School Board has selected Travis Bennett to join the district’s five-member governing body. Bennett is the principal agent of AIC Insurance Agency in Redmond. He replaces A.J. Losoya, who announced his resignation from the board last month.

Bennett will be sworn in Aug. 10 and will serve through June 30, 2017.

“Travis is truly invested in the Redmond community. His experience both as a parent and as a business owner will bring great perspective to our team,” Rick Bailey, the board’s chairman, said in a news release.

Two other candidates to fill the vacancy, Dearric Winchester and Michael Baumgartner, were interviewed by the board during its board meeting Thursday.

Board members are elected to four-year terms as nonsalaried trustees of the school district.

— Bulletin staff reports