Central Oregon Wildfire Grows to 12,000 Acres — Hundreds Evacuated

A wildfire near Madras, Oregon, has jumped its boundaries so residents are now facing mandatory evacuations.

The fire, which was somewhat contained on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation over the weekend, jumped the lines and headed for two residential areas near Wolfe Point and Charlie Canyon.

Some 120 residents from 40 homes were forced to leave. The fire is burning less than 70 miles South of The Dalles. It is now rapidly spreading north towards the residential community of Sunnyside where citizens are building their own fire lines with hopes of stopping the spread.

Officials believe the fire was triggered by a cigarette.