The Cram Fire has grown to 94,293 acres as of Friday morning, with 730 personnel assigned to the incident. A community meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. today at Jefferson County Middle School (1180 SE Kemper Way, Madras, OR 97741). The meeting will also be streamed live on the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Facebook page (@JeffersonCountyORSheriff).
Fire activity on the northern edge near Sand Hollow and Tub Springs Canyon remained minimal on Wednesday, as crews patrolled containment lines and checked for residual heat near structures. Fire managers continued repositioning personnel to focus on higher-priority areas. On the eastern edge, firefighters performed mop-up and point protection near homes, while dozer line construction was completed on the southeastern corner and crews shifted their attention to the southern perimeter.
The fire advanced south toward the Hay Creek Road and E. Ashwood Road intersection and into the Trout Creek area, where visible smoke and heat remain a challenge. Aircraft provided aerial support as ground crews worked to slow the fire’s progression, though Red Flag conditions hampered suppression efforts. During the night shift, firefighters monitored new growth from the previous day and continued structure protection.
On Thursday, crews will focus on securing lines and mopping up south of Oregon Route 293, while reinforcing and widening dozer lines along the southern edge from west to east. Aviation resources are expected to continue supporting firefighting operations with water drops and heat reduction.
Weather and Outlook
A Red Flag Warning remains in effect through 10 p.m. Friday, due to dry and windy conditions. A cold front is expected this weekend, bringing cooler temperatures, increased humidity, and a chance of showers early next week. However, any precipitation is unlikely to fully extinguish the fire.
Evacuations
Evacuation orders remain in place across multiple zones in Jefferson and Wasco counties, with Level 3 (GO NOW), Level 2 (BE SET), and Level 1 (BE READY) notices in effect. Residents should consult official maps for current information:
- Jefferson County: tinyurl.com/JCSOEvacMap
- Wasco County: tinyurl.com/WascoCountyEvacMap
Air Quality and Safety
Residents can view localized smoke forecasts at fire.airnow.gov. Drivers are urged to use caution in fire-affected areas due to reduced visibility and the presence of firefighting equipment and personnel along roads.
For additional updates, visit the Cram Fire Linktree, call the fire information line at (541) 216-7206, or email 2025.cram@firenet.gov.