Crook County schools open doors to wildfire crews battling Central Oregon fires

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Crook County School District in Prineville is providing overnight accommodations at Crook County Middle School and Crook County High School for wildfire personnel. This initiative offers a place for firefighters assigned to fires across Central Oregon to rest and recover between shifts.

The district aims to support the brave firefighters working to protect communities, families and the surrounding region.

By opening its school facilities, the district is helping ensure that wildfire personnel have a safe and comfortable environment to recharge before returning to the fire lines. This partnership highlights the community's commitment to assisting those who serve during ongoing wildfire impacts.

Dr. Joel Hoff, Superintendent of Crook County School District, praised the dedication of the firefighters. “Our firefighters are true heroes,” Dr. Hoff said. “They put themselves in harm's way every day to protect our communities, our forests and our families. It is an honor for Crook County School District to do what we can to support these dedicated men and women. If opening our schools provides them with a place to recharge before returning to the front lines, then we're proud to be part of that effort.”

The support extends beyond just sleeping arrangements. Students participating in the district's elementary Summer Blast program recently partnered with a local restaurant preparing meals for firefighters. As part of this project, students wrote heartfelt, handwritten notes of gratitude to accompany the meals, offering words of encouragement and appreciation.

Leland Bliss, Director of Operations for Crook County School District, detailed the collaborative effort. “Our operations team moved quickly to prepare the schools and coordinate with the Forest Service,” Bliss said. “This has truly been a team effort. From custodial staff preparing the buildings to our students sharing messages of thanks, everyone has found a way to contribute. We're grateful for the opportunity to support these firefighters and show them how much this community appreciates everything they do.”