CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Saturday, much of our region will be under a red flag warning, as firefighters continue to button up the active wildfires. The Rowe Creek Complex Fire, burning in Crook, Wheeler, Wasco, and Jefferson counties, sits at just under 374,000 acres burned with 89% containment. Today, firefighters will continue much of the work
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Thirty years after the Skeleton Fire burned more than 17,000 acres southeast of Bend, local fire agencies are urging Central Oregon residents to prepare for ongoing wildfire threats. Bend Fire & Rescue and the Deschutes Rural Fire Protection District #two highlighted the anniversary to remind property owners that emergency preparedness plays
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OREGON (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Aviation and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management are issuing a joint warning instructing drone operators to avoid flying over or near active wildfires. Unauthorized drone flights force emergency aircraft to halt operations, delaying fire suppression efforts and increasing risks to crews, nearby communities and infrastructure. Firefighting planes
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OREGON (KTVZ) — More than 2.5 million acres have already burned across Oregon during this record-setting fire season. Right now, the Bureau of Land Management is urging people to use extra caution on public lands as wildfire restrictions remain in place across Oregon and Washington. The BLM says restrictions vary by location and can include rules
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CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — As evacuation levels are lowered and residents begin returning home, officials are warning people not to let their guard down. Burned areas can still contain serious hazards. Fire crews and heavy equipment may still be working in the area, while some locations can continue to burn or smolder. Officials say
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CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) A Level 3 – Go Now evacuation order has been issued in Crook County as the Rowe Creek Complex Fire flares up. The Crook County Sheriff’s Office issued the evacuation notice Tuesday night for the east side of NE Mill Creek Road from the intersection of Forest Service Road 3370, near
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OREGON (KTVZ) — Senior Oregon National Guard leaders traveled to the Grasshopper Fire camp near Tygh Valley today to visit Air National Guard members supporting wildland firefighting operations and thank them for their service. The Grasshopper Fire has burned more than 90,000 acres and was 47% contained as of yesterday. The fire camp supporting response
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CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Many evacuation zones around the Rowe Creek Complex have now been reduced as firefighters continue their work on containment. However, areas along Ochoco Ranger Station Road and the Highway 26 corridor remain at Level 3 – Go Now as crews continue working to strengthen containment lines. Residents are urged to stay
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REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — According the Redmond Fire and Rescue, fire crews responded to a brush fire on undeveloped land east of Redmond on Friday, August 14th. The blaze extended into surrounding brush and trees, consuming multiple debris piles, several motorcycles and an SUV. Emergency responders faced a high threat of fire spread in the
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UMATILLA COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon National Guard crews are making a big difference in the fight against the Hagen Fire in Umatilla County. Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters are dropping water on the fire, helping ground crews slow the flames and protect nearby communities. So far this season, Oregon National Guard aircrews have made
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OREGON (KTVZ) — Right now, fire officials are asking Oregonians to use extreme caution as wildfires continue burning across the state and firefighting resources remain stretched. The National Weather Service is warning of critical fire weather, including thunderstorms, lightning and strong, unpredictable winds. Officials say even a small spark could quickly start a new fire.
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PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Highway 26 between Prineville and Mitchell reopened Thursday, August 13th, following a closure due to wildfires. The Crook County Sheriff’s Office announced the re-opening, and also stated that the Marks Creek Community along Highway 26 has been reduced to Level 2 – BE SET. The department also asked residents to please
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OREGON (KTVZ) — As wildfires and smoke continue to impact Oregon, health officials are reminding people to take care of their mental health, too. The Oregon Health Authority says wildfires can cause stress, anxiety, grief and trouble sleeping, even for people who aren’t directly affected by a fire. Officials recommend staying connected with friends and neighbors
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OREGON (KTVZ) — Today, Gov. Tina Kotek ordered flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff on Aug. 14, in honor of contractor Jason Ensign, who died on Aug. 6, 2026, while working on the Wrights Spring Fire in Klamath County. Ensign, 47, was operating a bulldozer to construct containment lines when severe
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(Update: adding video, interview with patrol officer) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A private patrol officer may have helped save a Bend woman’s life after discovering smoke coming from her northwest Bend apartment early Sunday morning. Bianney Ventura, a patrol officer with Patrol Services Inc., was making her rounds at Awbrey Pines Apartments, 2500 NW Regency
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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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REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A trailer fire on undeveloped land east of Redmond one person and left the fire district with no available emergency apparatus late Saturday night. RV Fire in East Redmond on August 8th, 2026. Courtesy of Redmond F&R Officials say, because all district fire resources were tied up with the fire, Redmond
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(Update – August 9, 2026: Crescent Butte Fire has now burned 194 acres) CRESCENT, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crews responded to a reported vegetation fire on Saturday, near Crescent in Klamath County, where smoke was visible from the area. The fire is now known as the Crescent Butte Fire, according to WildCAD. It is burning about
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act passed the U.S. Senate, providing a tax exemption for wildfire survivors as Oregon faces its worst wildfire season in modern history. The legislation allows qualified relief payments to be excluded from federal taxable income, including funds received years after a disaster. The
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CENTRAL OREGON (KTVZ) — Smoke from several active wildfires is expected to bring unhealthy air quality to parts of Central Oregon, with the heaviest periods forecast during morning and overnight hours. Smoke in the region is expected to come primarily from the Rowe Creek Complex. Additional smoke from the Grasshopper Fire could affect Spray and
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