Bend Fire & Rescue will hold wildfire preparedness fair to educate residents on safety measures

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Bend Fire & Rescue is observing May as National Wildfire Awareness Month, encouraging the community to prepare their homes for potential emergencies. This initiative comes amid a local drought declaration and a forecast for hot, dry conditions, highlighting the persistent wildfire threat to the region. A Wildfire Preparedness Fair is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Wille Hall at Central Oregon Community College.

Wildfires pose a consistent threat to the Central Oregon region each year, especially with the current weather outlook. Bend Fire & Rescue emphasizes that community participation is vital for collectively preparing Bend for wildfire season, urging residents to take proactive steps.

Melissa Steele, a representative for Bend Fire & Rescue, underscored the importance of a unified approach to wildfire readiness. "Strengthening our community's wildfire resilience is a shared effort and every action makes a difference," Steele said. She explained that Bend Fire is actively training responders, collaborating with regional partners, conducting community education and outreach and reviewing defensible space standards around its own facilities. Steele noted that when these departmental efforts are matched by actions residents take on their properties, the community can significantly reduce wildfire risk. Being wildfire ready starts at home by creating defensible space. This crucial step involves clearing dry and dead plants and other combustible materials from the area within five feet of a home. This simple, impactful action helps protect individual residences and the entire neighborhood from rapid fire destruction.

Residents can learn more about creating defensible space and owning their zone by visiting bendoregon.gov/own-your-zone. Bend Fire & Rescue and other regional wildfire partners will host a Wildfire Preparedness Fair. The event will feature presentations, hands-on activities, informational booths and various giveaways designed to educate families on how to prepare for wildfires. Local and regional fire officials will be available to answer specific questions from attendees. The fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Wille Hall at Central Oregon Community College, located at 2600 NW College Way, Bend. Further information on other regional fairs organized by the Central Oregon Fire Prevention Co-op is available at centraloregonfire.org/prevent-wildfires. Throughout May, Bend Fire & Rescue will also share helpful wildfire readiness tips on its Facebook and Instagram accounts.

The Wildfire Preparedness Fair on May 9, 2026, offers a direct opportunity for residents to engage with wildfire safety experts and learn practical preparation steps. Bend Fire & Rescue will also continue to post helpful readiness tips on its social media platforms throughout the month of May.