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Central Oregon

Flat Top Fire 2024

Emergency closure ends, a year after the Firestone and Flat Top fires, but visitors are still urged to use caution

(Update: Adding video) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) โ€” Deschutes National Forest lands around last year’s Firestone and Flat Top Fires, about 20 miles from La Pine, will reopen Wednesday after an emergency closure order expires, Forest Service officials said Tuesday. People recreating in the recently burned areas are still being advised to use caution, according to the

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Central Oregon Fire Chiefs' Association to open debris burning Wednesday

Central Oregon Fire Chiefs’ Association to open debris burning Wednesday

CENTRAL OREGON (KTVZ) — Theย Central Oregon Fire Chiefsโ€™ Association works with local, state, and federal partners to determine when to collectively open debris burning in the fall. The 12 local fire agencies in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson countiesย met and agreed to collectively open debris burning on Wednesday, October 1st. Even with the joint decision to

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BLM begins proactive wildfire mitigation work through prescribed burns

BLM begins proactive wildfire mitigation work through prescribed burns

OREGON (KTVZ) — The Bureau of Land Management recently began prescribed burning operations throughout Oregon and Washington as conditions became optimal in many areas. Operations will continue throughout the fall and winter. These burns are carefully planned to reduce hazardous fuels, protect nearby communities, and restore native ecosystems.ย  During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in

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Update: Large police presence in NW Redmond draws neighbors’ attention; little information released so far

(Update: More police provide more, limited info) REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A Redmond neighborhood is still in the dark about a large police response in their backyard this weekend.ย  Several people reported a large police presence late Saturday at the apartment complex near NW 25th Street and Elm Avenue. When KTVZ News contacted Redmond Police,

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Dry Canyon Community Art Center Redmond

Oregon Cultural Trust grant to help Redmond arts group remodel new Dry Canyon Community Art Center

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Dry Canyon Arts Association has been awarded a $34,000 FY26 Cultural Development Award from the Oregon Cultural Trust to assist in funding the remodel of the historic downtown Rogers and Lynch Building at 6th Street and Deschutes Avenue in Redmond into a new local headquarters for art education and exhibition.ย ย 

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Portland mayor Keith Wilson at demonstration

Bend’s Melanie Kebler joins coalition of Oregon mayors in joint message opposing federal troops in Portland

(Update: Adding video) PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Led by Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, a coalition of more than a dozen Oregon mayors – including Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler – issued a joint letter Monday rejecting any attempt to federally militarize the Portland metro area โ€“ and announcing coordinated regional action to protect civil rights, public

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Oregon Drought Monitor Sept. 25, 2025

Governor Kotek declares drought emergency in Jefferson County; eighth in Oregon so far this year

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ)โ€“ Governor Tina Kotek announced Monday that she has declared a drought in Jefferson County through Executive Order 25-23 and directed state agencies to coordinate and prioritize assistance to the region. A link to Executive Order 25-23 can be foundย here. Here is the rest of Monday’s news release from the governor’s office: According

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Heaven Can Wait 5K 2024

There’s still time to register for Sunday’s 26thย annual Heaven Can Wait 5K at Redmond High School

(Update: Adding video) REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The 26th annual Heaven Can Wait 5K returns to Redmond High School on Sunday, Oct. 5 at 10:30 a.m. The St. Charles Foundation reminded the community Monday that there is still time to register for the family-friendly walk and run. The event raises funds for Saraโ€™s Project, which provides

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Students cellphone use

State Rep. Emerson Levy, Bend Police sergeant to take part in bipartisan roundtable on phone-free schools rule

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) —ย Next Tuesday evening,ย Sen. Lisa Reynolds, MD (D-Portland), who worked with Governor Tina Kotek on her recent executive order creating phone-free schools, will convene lawmakers and community leaders in a roundtable discussion on how to make the new rule work best for student success and well-being. Here are the details, as released Friday

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Untreated, treated areas at Darlene 3 Fire

Deschutes County outlines five-year plans for federally funded La Pine Wildfire Mitigation Project

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County provided new details Friday about how it will use a newly awarded $3.4 million USDA Forest Service Community Wildfire Defense Grant for its La Pine Wildfire Mitigation Project over the next five years. “The project is a collaborative effort to reduce fire fuels, educate the public, increase wildfire preparedness,

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Oregon Department of Forestry to receive Community Wildfire Defense Grant

Oregon Department of Forestry to receive Community Wildfire Defense Grant

OREGON (KTVZ) — Two project proposals led by the Oregon Department of Forestry along with four other projects in Oregon have been selected to be funded by the Community Wildfire Defense Grant. In total, organizations in Oregon have received $28.5ย millionย to fund six projects, all with the end goal of creating more wildfire resilient communities. ODFโ€™s

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Jefferson County drug bust CODE Team

Drug agents find fentanyl, meth and guns in crashed car, arrest two fugitives north of Madras

(Update: Adding video) MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) โ€” A long-term drug investigation concluded Wednesday night when a suspected trafficker’s vehicle crashed north of Madras, and detectives with the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team seized large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and three guns, authorities said. Officers said they suspect the drugs were introduced into Jefferson County from

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City of Bend survey finds overwhelming ‘hate’ for Greenwood Avenue ‘road diet,’ despite massive increase in cyclists, pedestrians

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A year-old pilot program to reduce traffic speeds, improve safety, and encourage walking and cycling has sparked sharp division in the city of Bend. The program converted a four-lane roadway into two lanes as part of a “road diet” designed to curb crashes and make the corridor safer for pedestrians and

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Redmond Fire truck at Smith Rock

Redmond Fire & Rescue reopens outdoor burning next week, but there are rules – and debris burning is banned in the city

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Redmond Fire & Rescue announced Thursday it will reopen outdoor burning at 8 a.m. next Wednesday, October 1, but advised there are rules to follow, including a ban on debris burning within the city limits. Here’s the fire department’s full news release: With the forecasted decrease in temperatures, the risk for

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