SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — As the Akawa Butte Fire continues burning areas near Sisters, Residents gathered at Sisters High School to hear from fire officials on the latest of the fire. A town meeting was held in Sisters, Ore., earlier tonight to update residents on ongoing wildfires. Officials have declared the wildfire the number one
Continue Reading
SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The community of Sisters is rallying to support firefighters and residents affected by nearby fires. Local businesses Lucky’s Woodsman and Sisters Athletic Club are offering free services to those protecting the area and anyone displaced from their homes. These community efforts come as fires in the region are getting closer to
Continue Reading
UPDATE: ODOT has closed US 97 northeast of Madras due to the Ten Mile Fire JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — A civil authority issued a fire warning for Jefferson County today. The warning includes a Level 3 “GO NOW” immediate evacuation order for specific areas of the county. The alert is effective from 1:47 p.m.
Continue Reading
SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Sisters Athletic Club opened its facilities today to offer free showers and Wi-Fi access to evacuees and firefighters displaced by the Akawa Butte Fire. The blaze continues to cause evacuations across Deschutes and Jefferson Counties. The club’s services are available to all evacuees, regardless of membership status and will continue for
Continue Reading
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The main academic building at Redmond High School will close for the 2026-27 school year after construction activities disturbed asbestos-containing materials, rendering portions of the facility unsafe to occupy. The Redmond School District is arranging modular classrooms on campus to deliver academic instruction for students. The high school’s gymnasium and Career
Continue Reading
SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has informed KTVZ News, a home in the Stevens Canyon area north of Sisters has been lost due to the Akawa Butte Fire.The news comes as the Sheriff’s Office is communicating rapid changes in evacuation levels.Due to the fire’s behavior, the Sheriff’s Office is asking residents
Continue Reading
(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
Continue Reading
CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — As wildfire evacuation orders continue to be issued across Central Oregon, it’s not just people who need a safe place to go. The Crook County and Deschutes County fairgrounds are providing temporary refuge for horses, livestock and other large animals displaced by the fires. Animals temporarily sheltered at the Crook
Continue Reading
Bend ORE. (KTVZ) — After KTVZ reached out to the offices of Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley regarding the wildfires burning across Central Oregon, an update has been provided: U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today said they joined Senate colleagues in urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure all communities
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Juan Manuel Reverter, an Argentine national suspected in the high-profile femicide of model Agostina Jalabert, was arrested today in Deschutes County, Oregon. The arrest, which occurred around 7:30 a.m., followed an Interpol Red Notice issued to locate Reverter. Femicide is the intentional murder of women or girls because of their gender.
Continue Reading
CROOKED RIVER RANCH, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue crews responded to a reported lightning strike during Thursday night’s thunderstorms (July 22nd). The agency reminds you that lightning can ignite vegetation and create fire hazards. If you see smoke or fire following a storm, call 911 immediately.
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As summer flies by, the school year quickly approaches. For Bend-La Pine Schools, new bus riders, kindergarten students, and their families are invited to learn about bus safety and take a spin on a school bus during the Ready, Set, Ride! bus safety programs. During the events, families will watch a short
Continue Reading
(KTVZ) — Poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke in Central Oregon is leading to significant health concerns, according to Saint Charles’ Head of Pulmonary Medicine. This includes severe and persistent coughs in otherwise healthy individuals and a heightened risk of cardiac events. Wildfire smoke contains tiny particles that can enter the lungs and then
Continue Reading
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Fire and Rescue is currently receiving numerous public inquiries concerning wildfire safety, emergency alerts and evacuation plans amid local smoke and fire conditions. Officials are advising residents to sign up for Deschutes County Alerts and to practice potential evacuation routes. Many residents are worried about knowing when to evacuate during
Continue Reading
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — U.S. Highway 26 is closed over the Ochoco Mountains between Prineville and Mitchell due to active wildfire and related response efforts in the area. The closure spans milepost 46 to 65, according to authorities. All lanes, shoulders and the median are affected in both directions. Drivers are urged to use an
Continue Reading
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Wildfire smoke has been hanging over much of Central Oregon this week, but in Jefferson County on Wednesday, the focus shifted to something far more festive: opening day at the Jefferson County Fair. Families filled the fairgrounds in Madras as exhibitors proudly showed the animals they’ve spent months raising and caring
Continue Reading
SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — A sudden and powerful storm swept through parts of Sunriver Wednesday afternoon, toppling trees, blocking roads and briefly trapping vehicles near the Sunriver Airport. According to Chuck Rosenfeld, who identified himself as part of the Sunriver Citizen Patrol, the storm hit around 3 p.m. following a thunderstorm that brought heavy rain
Continue Reading
CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crook County commissioners declared a state of emergency Wednesday as multiple wildfires continue burning across the county and surrounding region, citing exhausted local resources and ongoing threats to public safety. The emergency declaration, approved during a special meeting of the Crook County Board of Commissioners on July 22nd, comes as
Continue Reading
(Update: adding link to Genasys Protect, video) SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Fire officials and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office have elevated more areas of the Akawa Butte Fire to Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation as of 4:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, July 22. New zones have also been added to Level one (Be Ready) as hot
Continue Reading
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — State officials are urging Oregonians to plan ahead, stay informed and travel prepared as wildfire activity increases across Oregon during the 2026 season. Hazardous driving conditions, severely reduced visibility and worsening air quality are resulting from the fires. The Oregon Department of Transportation, Ore. Department of Emergency Management, Ore. Department of
Continue Reading