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Fire in Warm Springs

A fire on the Warm Springs reservation reached over 6,000 acres; crews called in for backup during a hot weekend

A fire on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation spread to an estimated 6,200 acres at the start of the week. The S-503 fire was first spotted on Friday, June 18; by Saturday morning it had spread to an estimated 250 acres and grew rapidly over the hot and windy day. By the end of Saturday Warm […]

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Three New COVID-19 Deaths in Central Oregon

The Oregon Health Authority reported the deaths early Friday, taking the total death toll in Central Oregon to five

The Oregon Health Authority reported early Friday that two people from Deschutes County died from COVID-19. In addition, the first death in Jefferson County was reported by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs late Thursday night. In all, the OHA reported nine new COVID-19 deaths in the state Friday, raising Oregon’s total to 282. Among the […]

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Their Own Drum Beat

With cases climbing, leaders in Warm Springs say they may stay closed, even if nearby counties reopen

As of Monday, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs reported a total of 15 COVID-19 positive cases within the boundaries of the Warm Springs tribal lands near Madras. Last week, as cases kept climbing, the CTWSโ€™ Tribal Council approved a number of safety measures, including social distancing and wearing masks, and extended the closure of […]

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From The Fire

Warm Springs native Blue Flamez sheds light on Native life through his music

Atribal member from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Scott Kalama is best known for his rapping skillsโ€”which you might have heard under the moniker, Blue Flamez. He’s an award-winning artist making strides for Native Americans, bringing positivity to his roots. Through his music, Kalama showcases an inside perspective to living life as an indigenous […]

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Sunday Update: Eclipse Traffic Light; Fires Still Burning

Updates on smoke, fire and the moon blocking out the sun

What will the skies look like for Eclipse Monday? That’s the question a lot of people want to know. For now, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management says traffic was lighter than expected on Saturdayโ€”at least in part due to people heeding the suggestion to get where they’re going early. Still, Monday traffic is expected […]

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Fire Updates: Milli Fire Gets Bigger; Nena Fire prompts evacuations

Fires near Warm Springs and Sisters are keeping firefighters hoppingโ€”and keeping the region full of smoke.

Noticing all that smoke in Central Oregon right now? That could be a good sign or a bad one, depending on how you look at it. In some cases, it’s an indication that firefighters are putting those fires outโ€”but it also means that homes and wildlife are still in danger. Update: Milli Fire near Sisters […]

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On the Water, for the Water

Warm Springs members arrive at Standing Rock by canoe

When Warm Springs tribal member Jefferson Greene arrived at the Standing Rock Reservation this September, he was struck by the presence of the 100+ flags representing tribal nations from across North America and from nations around the world. To him, it was a testament to the fact that over the centuries, indigenous people have come […]

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The Economic Beat of Warm Springs

Innovation promises security on the reservation

Located a little more than an hour north of Bend, The Warm Springs Reservation consists of approximately 1,000 square miles of land. The area is serene, with the Deschutes River running through the middle—a perfect tranquil setting. But life hasn’t always been easy here. With an estimated 6,500 people living on the reservation—and fewer than […]

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