Prineville, Ore. (KTVZ)– The Oregon Health Authority downgraded the recreational health advisory for Prineville Reservoir to a precaution today. Water testing confirmed that cyanotoxin levels in the Crook County reservoir have fallen below recreational guideline values for humans. The initial health advisory for the reservoir was issued on July 27. Although toxin levels no longer
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation has extended its wildfire emergency order and bulletin for a second 30-day period, maintaining insurance protections for affected residents through October 29th. The extension mandates that property and casualty insurance companies take proactive steps to safeguard policyholders in designated wildfire regions across the state. Regulators
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(KTZ) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced nearly $43 million in post-disaster recovery and mitigation funding Tuesday for projects across Alaska, Oregon and Washington. The federal grants support local infrastructure repairs, hazard mitigation measures and public safety reimbursements following recent natural disasters. The funding is distributed across three FEMA initiatives, including more than
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CENTRAL OREGON (KTVZ) — The Pacific Power Foundation awarded $20,600 to six Central Oregon organizations today to support local environmental protection and community programs. The awards were distributed through the foundation’s Community Enhancement and Environmental Respect grant cycle. The funding will assist local non-profits in providing hands-on outdoor education for students, expanding volunteer initiatives and
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CENTRAL OREGON (KTVZ) — Central Oregon fire officials will lift Stage one Public Use Fire Restrictions across several public land areas starting at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25. The decision follows a reduction in the regional fire danger rating level to moderate on Wednesday, Sept. 23. The end of Stage one restrictions applies to the
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Scientists have identified a new species of wild cat in Bolivia’s Yungas cloud forest, marking the first time a living wild cat species has been formally described in more than a century. The small, spotted feline is called the tilcayo cat, or Leopardus tilcayo — a name that reflects what local
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The Oregon Zoo has placed a rare female Bali myna in its public Vollum Aviary, offering visitors a chance to view one of the world’s most endangered songbirds. Also known as the Bali starling, the species is the official bird of Bali, Indonesia and is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — PacifiCorp, the parent company of Pacific Power, has narrowed its options for a major transmission project through Central and Southern Oregon, identifying preliminary preferred routes for both the main power line and an associated connection east of Bend. The proposed Blueprint South project would include an approximately 180-mile, 500-kilovolt transmission line
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CENTRAL OREGON — From early heat and limited water to fields still producing strawberries and pumpkins, harvest season is telling a different story from one Central Oregon farm to the next.At Sakari Farms, farm manager Sam Schreiner said this growing season has been tougher than most. Heat arrived early and persisted, while water availability remained
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CENTRAL OREGON — Central Oregonians have a reason to look up Thursday night, as a partial lunar eclipse puts on a celestial show over the High Desert. The moon will rise around 7:41 p.m. already in the eclipse, with the best view coming around 9:12 p.m., when most of the moon will be covered by
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregonians can help protect local waterways this September as SOLVE brings its second annual “Pick It Up, Bend!” community cleanup to town. Volunteer registration is now officially open for the event, which takes place Sunday, September 27, in the Old Mill District and around the Hayden Homes Amphitheater. The local
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CENTRAL OREGON (KTVZ) — A young male gray wolf recently spotted in Central Oregon is healthy and mobile, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. According to Think Wild, ODFW said the collared wolf is engaging in natural dispersal behavior, traveling from its family group to seek new territory and potential mates. Photos
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As severe drought forces unprecedented irrigation shutoffs, Central Oregon residents, water officials, and lawmakers are confronting a system built during the settlement of the West.
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OREGON (KTVZ) — State and federal agencies are making multiple financial and technical assistance programs available to support Oregon communities, small businesses and agricultural producers affected by ongoing drought conditions. Find the full press release here. The available programs offer funding for local water infrastructure, drought mitigation planning and economic recovery. The resources include low-interest
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(Update: adding video) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregonians gathered at the Cascade Lakes Welcome Station on Sunday to celebrate Smokey Bear’s 82nd birthday while learning how they can help prevent wildfires. The party featured photo opportunities, cupcakes, and activities for children. The Deschutes National Forest co-hosted the event with Discover Your Northwest, a nonprofit
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PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Twenty Mazama newt hatchlings emerged at the Oregon Zoo this month, marking the first time the rare subspecies has been successfully bred in human care. The hatchlings are part of an emergency conservation effort to prevent the extinction of the amphibians, which are found only at Crater Lake. Mazama newts arrived
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(Update: adding EPA instructions) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As wildfire smoke continues to affect Central Oregon, many commercial air purifiers have sold out at stores around the region. But the Environmental Protection Agency says a do-it-yourself box-fan air cleaner can offer a more affordable, attainable way to reduce smoke particles indoors. The Oregon Department of
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Sixteen volunteers restored an old trail in Shevlin Park as part of Bend Park and Recreation’s Volunteer Days projects. The trail, part of the Tumalo Creek trail system, connects a creek to a picnic area. The restoration effort focused on bringing back an old trail located at the very end of
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gov. Tina Kotek has declared a drought emergency in Josephine and Wasco counties through Executive Order 26-11. This declaration marks the fifth drought emergency order issued in 2026, bringing the total number of Oregon counties under drought emergency status to 19 of 36. Josephine and Wasco counties are experiencing moderate to
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MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Madras High School students participated in a significant mangrove restoration project in Costa Rica. On a recent conservation trip, the students planted more than 1,000 mangrove seedlings in an area that had been devastated by a hurricane. The initiative aims to stabilize shorelines, improve water quality and provide essential habitat for
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