After two weeks of intense efforts from firefighters, the Cram Fire, which burned the Land Trust’s Priday Ranch, was declared fully contained on July 26, 2025. The fire started on July 13 and burned 95,736 acres in and around the community of Ashwood (north of Madras), including burning more than 75% of the Land Trust’s Priday Ranch.

Thanks to the efforts of firefighters and Land Trust staff, the structures at Priday Ranch, along with important habitat along Trout Creek, were saved. We also know that while the fire burned hot in some places, it also burned with lower intensity in other areas, consuming grasses, but leaving green juniper trees standing. Fire is a natural and important part of the juniper-sagebrush desert system. Priday Ranch will recover and we are dedicated to helping it along the best we can. Since our last update on July 21, the Land Trust has been at Priday Ranch making assessments and planning for restoration and recovery. Initial steps include:

• Acquiring aerial imagery. Priday Ranch’s 4,973 acres are rugged and diverse. Satellite imagery will help us understand where and how the fire burned. At this time we estimate more than 75% of the property burned. We will know more about other conditions as we review post-fire imagery.
• Creating our burn response plan. Staff are working together and with partners to assess impacts and make plans for hazard mitigation and post-fire restoration. Learn more about these efforts below. Huge thanks to all of our partners for their offers to help in so many ways!
• Hazard assessment. Wildfires leave a wide array of hazards in their wake that can persist for years after the fire is contained. We are working to identify unsafe trees, damage to roadways, unstable slopes where erosion is likely to occur, and other hazards so we can work with contractors to mitigate these issues. This effort will take time and we thank you for your patience as we work to get Priday Ranch ready for visitors once again.
• Restoration planning. Restoration efforts will depend on habitat type. Many sections of Trout Creek are still green and thriving! Other sections burned fairly hot. Staff are working to determine replanting needs. Some of the recently restored fields at the property fared well and native grasses are already sprouting new greenery! Weeds will continue to be a concern and staff are working on weed management plans. Agricultural fields and surrounding grasslands will also need attention to mitigate weeds and help with native plant re-establishment. We were pleased to see that our forest restoration efforts may have helped slow the fire in the northwestern corner of the property, and our thinned juniper piles, ready for winter burning, have been burned for us! Staff are assessing next steps in forest restoration as we learn more about how the fire burned. Finally, bulldozer and hand lines are present throughout Priday Ranch and will need restoration.
• Fundraising. Property insurance will likely only help with fence repair (the only structural damage). The Land Trust will be applying for agency funding designated for immediate fire recovery needs, as well as long-term funding for larger restoration efforts. If you would like to support fire recovery, you can donate to the Land Trust in support of efforts at Priday Ranch.

We will, of course, keep you posted as we learn more and as restoration efforts move forward. Once again, many thanks to the Ashwood-Antelope Rangeland Fire Protection Association, the Lower Bridge Rangeland Fire Protection Association, and our agency partners who worked tirelessly to contain the fire and save homes and structures.

Learn more:

• Cram Fire Impacts Priday Ranch