BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Due to the severity and international response, Central Oregon’s wildfires have gained worldwide attention. On Tuesday, KTVZ’s Claire Elmer had the opportunity to provide an update on containment efforts in Crook and Wheeler Counties on FOX Weather.
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WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Warm Springs community is currently dealing with the impacts of the Bench Fire, which has destroyed multiple homes as well as forced many residents to evacuate.If you would like to help those impacted by the fire, please refer to the information below. Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Seeks Community
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek ordered flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff on July 29th, 2026, in solemn remembrance of U.S. Navy Commander Gabriel Edwards. Commander Edwards died on July 1st, 2026, following an emergency helicopter landing in the Arabian Sea. Commander Edwards, a native of Oakland, Oregon, dedicated
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Bend, ORE. (KTVZ) — The Akawa Butte Fire remains active as of July 28, 2026, with crews continuing mop-up operations today to identify and extinguish hot spots. A community meeting will be held tonight, Tuesday, at 6:30 p.m. at the Sisters High School Auditorium to provide updates to the public. Firefighters used handheld infrared detection
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CROOKED RIVER RANCH, Ore.(KTVZ) — Crews from Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue responded to a reported vehicle fire Monday evening and worked quickly to extinguish the blaze and ensure the scene was safe. The agency offered a reminder to stay alert while driving: if you notice smoke or flames coming from a vehicle, pull over
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PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for Prineville Reservoir after laboratory results from recently collected water samples showed cyanotoxins above the recreational use value (RUV). This health advisory upgrades a recreational use health precaution that has been in place for Prineville Reservoir since July 24
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BURNS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Emergency officials are requesting the public avoid the Burns District corrals in Burns, Ore., to ensure firefighting crews can work safely and effectively. More than 200 horses and burros are housed at the corrals, which are currently closed to the public. The corrals and surrounding areas provide nearly 65 acres of
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REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum, today announced that the city of Redmond received a $1.25 million federal infrastructure investment from the Environmental Protection Agency. The funding will expand the city’s sustainable wastewater treatment system. The $1.25 million grant is designated for the Redmond
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PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — As of Monday, July 27th, firefighters are engaged in a persistent battle against the Brewer, Green Mountain, and Crosswhite West Fires, which are burning near Prineville. Today marks the 13th day of the incident, with crews making progress by halting western progression and maintaining control lines north of the city. Level
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CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — One man died Thursday, July 23rd, 2026, after his white Volvo semi-truck and triple trailer rear-ended an overheated red Freightliner semi-truck and triple trailer on Highway 26 near milepost 31.5, close to Sandy. The operator of the Volvo, James Glenn Fisher, 62, of Medford, was pronounced deceased at the scene
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(Update: adding video) PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Fire crews are battling multiple wildfires across Central Oregon, with the Brewer Fire continuing to burn near Prineville and threatening hundreds of homes. The Brewer, Green Mountain, and Crosswhite fires are burning across a mix of terrain and land ownership, stretching resources across Crook, Jefferson, and Wheeler counties.
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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — A controversial proposal that could have dramatically reshaped ranching and outdoor recreation in Oregon will not appear on the November ballot, state elections officials confirmed Friday. According to the Statesman Journal, initiative Petition 28, which aimed to expand animal abuse laws by outlawing practices such as hunting, fishing and livestock slaughter,
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MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Jefferson County School District has canceled all summer programming for Monday, July 27, citing rapidly changing wildfire conditions and ongoing evacuations in the area. The closure affects all sites across the district, including Madras Elementary, Bridges High School and Madras High School. Summer meal services will also be unavailable for
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PAULINA, Ore. (KTVZ) — Fire officials are inviting Central Oregon residents to a public information meeting Monday, evening to share updates on the Coyote and Henry fires and answer community questions. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. July 27 at 70355 SE Paulina Highway in Paulina. It is open to the public and will
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Sisters High School has served as an evacuation site for the Akawa fire for almost a week, providing shelter and resources to approximately 100 people. The Red Cross and Salvation Army are supporting evacuees, with the Red Cross operating five shelters across Central and Eastern Oregon to assist those displaced by wildfires. The Red Cross
Continue Reading BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act on Friday, July 25, for the Bench and Beachcomb Fires in Jefferson County. This action came in response to a request for assistance with life, safety and structural fire protection. The governor determined that the threat to life, safety and property from the
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Two separate fires kept Bend emergency crews busy today, including a brush fire behind the Red Lion Hotel on Butler Market Road and a residential fire on Starling Drive. The brush fire, believed to have originated from an abandoned fire in a houseless encampment, burned slightly over one acre. The residential
Continue Reading (Update: adding additional information from Akawa Butte fire official) SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — As of Sunday, July 26th: Fire crews are expected to establish full control lines around the Akawa Butte Fire near Sisters, Oregon, today. This follows their efforts last night to contain new spot fires through high winds and their preparations for continued
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CENTRAL OREGON, Ore. (KTVZ) — As of Sunday, July 26th: Stage 2 public use fire restrictions are in effect today across all Central Oregon public lands. The Ten Mile Fire, located 11 miles northeast of Madras, is listed at 4,809 acres and 36% contained due to improved mapping. The Jefferson and Wasco County Sheriff’s Offices
Continue Reading FOSSIL, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Rowe Creek Complex wildfire, which started on July 15th, 2026, due to lightning near Fossil, Oregon, has grown to 208,759 acres and is 31% contained. Critical fire weather is expected today, Sunday, July 26th, 2026, with the Brewer and Crosswhite fires anticipated to merge in the southern portion of the
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