(UPDATE, 7/20/26, 10:22 pm): Akawa Butte Fire has grown to 10,391 acres; 3% contained CROOKED RIVER RANCH, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Akawa Butte Fire is continuing to burn in Deschutes and Jefferson counties, with firefighters working to keep it from moving closer to nearby communities. The blaze is about 9 miles northwest of Crooked River
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SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — Sunriver Police tell KTVZ News an adult man was found dead outside the Sunriver Public Safety Building late Monday morning. Sunriver Police and Sunriver Fire responded to the building around 11:55 a.m. After contacting the individual, crews determined he was deceased. The Sunriver Public Safety Building, located on Abbott Drive, and
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REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — KTVZ News has confirmed that the Oak Fire was started by a resident who was shooting at exploding targets. Below is the press release from Redmond Fire and Rescue.July 19, 2026-REDMOND, OR- At approximately 2:30pm this afternoon, Redmond Fire & Rescue was alerted to a reported brush fire in the 10400
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Bend, ORE. (KTVZ) — The Young Listeners’ Guild is offering free concert tickets for ages 17 and under with the purchase of a regular-priced ticket, coinciding with the Sunriver Music Festival’s main concert series from Aug. 10-20. This initiative supports young audiences as the festival launches its 50th Golden Anniversary Season across venues including the
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Salem, ORE. (KTVZ) — Gov. Tina Kotek announced today that she is accepting applications for a judicial vacancy on the Union and Wallowa County Circuit Court. This opening in the 10th Judicial District follows the upcoming retirement of Judge Thomas B. Powers. Judge Powers is scheduled to retire on Dec. 1, 2026. Gov. Kotek stated
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SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — An incident command post has been established at the Sisters Rodeo Grounds as crews continue battling numerous wildfires sparked by recent lightning storms across Central Oregon. More than 2,000 lightning strikes hit Central Oregon on July 15th, which have now ignited around 85 wildfire fires in the region, according to Central
Continue Reading KTVZ News has learned evacuations are underway in Wheeler County due to multiple wildfires. From Central Oregon Fire: Central Oregon — The Central Oregon Type 3 Team took command of the Rowe Creek Complex yesterday at 6 p.m. The Complex includes approximately seven fires including Crosswhite, Camel Hump, Red Rock and Twickenham Fires that ignited when
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BEND, Ore. — A longtime Bend outdoor retailer has expanded beyond skis and snowboards, transforming its former back lot into a new gathering place for food, drinks and community.After nearly 25 years serving Central Oregon’s outdoor community, the family behind Powder House has opened Base Camp, a two-story taphouse and food truck pavilion at 311
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BEND, Ore. — A nationwide blood shortage is raising concerns in Central Oregon, where hospitals depend on a steady supply of donated blood to treat patients every day. The American Red Cross is encouraging eligible donors to give blood as it works to rebuild the national blood supply. When someone needs blood after a serious
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Wheeler County, ORE. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon experienced widespread lightning activity yesterday, July 15, 2026, with more than 2,000 strikes initiating more than 50 wildfires across areas managed by Central Oregon Fire Management Service and the Oregon Department of Forestry. The highest concentration of these fires is in Wheeler County, including the Crosswhite Fire, which
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Bend, ORE. (KTVZ) — The Bend Police Department is seeking applications from community members to serve on its Police Chief’s Advisory Council. Applications for the council must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29. The Police Chief’s Advisory Council, which was rebooted in 2022, aims to build and maintain trust between the Bend
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PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The 60th annual Crooked River Roundup parimutuel horse races kick off Wednesday night at the Crook County Fairgrounds, bringing a long-standing Central Oregon tradition back to life with four days of racing, community spirit and regional pride. The races run July 15 through July 18 and are known for drawing the
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) sat down with KTVZ News on Wednesday to discuss new legislation he says is aimed at preventing future helicopter tragedies following the deaths of four members of an Oregon family earlier this year. The proposal would require better marking and lighting of temporary obstructions, such as
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Bend, Ore. (KTVZ)—Dutch Bros Coffee and the Dutch Bros Foundation are partnering with Make-A-Wish Oregon for a fundraiser this Friday, July 17. The event will see the Dutch Bros Foundation donate $1 from every drink sold at select locations in Oregon and Southwest Washington The initiative aims to support Make-A-Wish Oregon in granting life-changing wishes
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Sisters, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes National Forest has opened a public comment period for the draft Environmental Assessment of the Sisters Canyons Active Restoration Project. The project covers approximately 17,500 acres north of Sisters, Ore., and aims to enhance forest resiliency while mitigating the risk of large-scale high severity wildfires. Comments must be submitted
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CENTRAL OREGON (KTVZ) — Colorado is leaning on national support as roughly eight wildfires burn across the state, including several among the largest in its history. Crews there are working to contain fires like Aspen Acres and Ferris, both now listed among Colorado’s top 10 biggest recorded wildfires as hot, dry conditions persist. In northern
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Shepherd’s House Ministries is asking for urgent community support as it faces a critical shortage of food while serving hundreds of people across Central Oregon each day. The nonprofit says it currently provides about 1,000 meals daily to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, hunger, and financial hardship, but pantry supplies are
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DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon State Police are asking for additional witnesses following a three-vehicle crash on Highway 20 last week that left two people seriously injured. Troopers say the crash happened around 12:47 p.m. Friday, July 10th, near milepost 41. The location is roughly 2 miles west of the community of Brothers. According
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Family Access Network has received a $50,000 grant from the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation to support services for children and families across Central Oregon. The funding will help provide resources for students and their families, including housing and utility assistance, clothing, school supplies, and youth development programs. Organization leaders say
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Applications are now open for startups hoping to compete in the 2026 Bend Venture Conference, a long-running event that brings investors and entrepreneurs to Central Oregon each fall. The conference is set for October 15–16 at the Tower Theatre in downtown Bend. Hosted by Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO), the
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