Bend firefighters battled two fires Monday afternoon, starting with a fast-moving brush fire behind the Red Lion Hotel on Butler Market Road. Crews, with help from Bend Police and the U.S. Forest Service, stopped the flames at just over an acre before the hotel was damaged. Guests were briefly evacuated, and Butler Market Road and part of the southbound parkway were impacted. Investigators say the fire appears to have started from an abandoned fire in a houseless encampment.

While crews were mopping up, a house fire broke out on Starling Drive. Officials say food left on a stove caused about 100-thousand dollars in damage. The occupants had returned home earlier in the day and accidentally left food on the stove as they left again. Red Cross is helping the homeowners.

Deschutes County leaders say fire crews are stretched thin after Wednesday’s storm sparked dozens of new fires. Commissioner Phil Chang says the region is already at Preparedness Level 5, meaning aircraft, crews, trucks, bulldozers, and other firefighting resources are deployed. Chang tells KBND News residents can help by avoiding preventable fire starts, especially with dry vegetation, volatile weather, and at least two months left in the typical fire season. He says crews are responding strategically and safely, despite being under pressure from two lightning storms in seven days. Stage 2 public use restrictions begin Saturday, banning campfires on all public lands, including campgrounds.

(Sisters, OR) – Wednesday a pyrocumulus cloud (a dense, puffy cloud created by intense surface heating) formed over the fire prior to the arrival of the forecasted thunderstorms. The pyrocumulus cloud created its own weather system over the fire area and produced its own lightning.

Extreme fire behavior due to critically dry fuels and gusty outflow winds from the afternoon thunderstorms pushed the fire downhill toward Indian Ford and Wilt Roads and has crossed the Stevens Canyon Road. Firefighters encountered 150 to 200-foot flame lengths; requiring all resources to fall back on the south end of the fire and modify tactics to maintain firefighter safety and protect structures.

Heavy equipment constructed a fire line in and around the Wilt Road area. Firefighters successfully extinguished numerous spot fires near Wilt Rd and No Name Rd. Four structure task forces worked swing shift into the evening hours, providing additional protection near homes in the Indian Ford and Wilt Road areas. The fire received precipitation from the thunderstorm. Incident Commander, Craig Pettinger, encouraged the night shift by saying, “We’ve been handed a gift, and we need to take advantage of this break in the weather.”

Precipitation has calmed fire activity and will provide an opportunity to flank the active fire area. On the southern and western sides of the fire heavy equipment and crews constructed direct control lines utilizing attack where possible. Structural resources continued to triage and provide point protection on homes through the night.

Multiple road closures went into effect including Middle View Road, Indian Ford Road, and the section between Green Ridge Road and Meadow View Road. Central Electric Cooperative has deenergized power to homes on Stevens Canyon Road to Pine Glen Road and north of Indian Ford Road. For more information visit the Central Electric Coop website at www.cec.coop

Public Meeting An in-person community meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, at the Sisters High School Auditorium. The meeting will be live-streamed for virtual attendees via Facebook on the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SCSRFPD

An in-person community meeting will be held Thursday, at 6:30 p.m. at the Sisters High School auditorium. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Department Facebook page: facebook.com/SCSRFPD.

Fire managers anticipate the Box Springs burning in Crook and Jefferson counties will merge with the Crosswhite fire within the next 24 hours. The Crosswhite is 131-thousand acres burning in Wheeler county, part of the massive Rowe Complex fire.

Private property on the north of Indian Ford Creek to the Forest Boundary of the Akawa Butte Fire has been upgraded to a Level 2 (Be Set) Evacuation Notice. 

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday for abundant lightning.    

Governor Tina Kotek declared a conflagration for another Central Oregon wildfire Monday. The Akawa Butte and Brewer fires continue to force evacuations in Deschutes and Jefferson counties. The Akawa Butte Fire, 13 miles northeast of Sisters, has burned over 10-thousand acres. And, the Brewer Fire, 13 miles east of Madras, has burned over 24-thousand acres. Oregon’s largest incident is the Rowe Creek Complex, south of Fossil … it’s burned nearly 143-thousand acres. The Hay Creek Complex, west of Condon, is 123-thousand acres. Outside Post, the Coyote Fire is now at 21-thousand acres, with the nearby Henry Fire at 20-thousand. In Southern Oregon, the East Evans Creek fire is 15-thousand acres.

By comparison, last year there were 26 fires burning more than 142-thousand acres through this date. This year, there are 40 large fires that are burning more than 410-thousand acres.

The Akawa Butte Fire near Crooked River Ranch is more than 6,800-acres. The distance to the fire perimeter -  8 miles east of Camp Sherman, over 10 miles north of Sisters, 9 miles west of Culver and 6.6 miles southwest from Cove Palisades State Park.

The public is asked to take caution and be aware while driving in the region due to increased fire activity and equipment, especially around the Sisters Rodeo grounds which has heavy equipment and crews entering and leaving at all hours.

Fire officials and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office have updated evacuation levels for the Akawa Butte Fire as fire activity continues to shift and threaten nearby areas.

The following area is now at Level 3 (Go Now):

Northern part of Stevens Canyon Road between Forest Road 2050 and west of Wilt Road north of Big Buck Road.

Level 2 (Be Set)

Addresses on the east side of Wilt Road, north of Big Buck Road to the county line.

Sisters High School is now the shelter location for those needing assistance due to evacuations from the Akawa Butte Fire. 

The Akawa Butte virtual community meeting scheduled for 7 PM Monday, July 20^th. See the Akawa Butte Fire Facebook page for more details.

(pic from Bend Chamber)

Property-owner opposition has halted Bend’s proposed Central District Economic Improvement District. City Manager Eric King says the objection level exceeded the threshold allowed under state law, where opposition from 33 percent or more of affected owners prevents an assessment from moving forward.

The district was intended to help fund promotion, events, business development, and upkeep of public facilities in Bend’s Core Area. King says some owners felt the plan was premature, with redevelopment still in transition and projects not yet fully in place.

The City Council is expected to formally rescind the ordinance that created the district. King says broader redevelopment plans for the Core Area will continue.

pic: Chief Mike Krantz

Bend Police are offering more detail on technology used during last week’s suspect search. Officers were looking Thursday for a person who had eluded police, before making an arrest Friday. Chief Mike Krantz says Reverse 911 lets police send targeted alerts to people registered within a specific area near an active response. He says drones also help officers safely assess a scene before moving in. By getting an overhead view, police can locate a suspect, track their position, and guide officers in cautiously. Krantz tells KBND News those tools are improving safety for officers, suspects, and the community.

pic: Steve Gunnels, D.A.

Criminal cases are slowing in Deschutes County as more defendants are found unable to understand charges or help their attorneys. District Attorney Steve Gunnels says the county’s aid-and-assist docket has more than doubled in recent years — from 24 people in January 2020, to 36 in 2022, and 53 this year. Gunnels says the main bottleneck is limited space at the Oregon State Hospital, where defendants receive treatment aimed at restoring competency for trial. He says the growing strain reflects a broader rise in severe mental illness, creating delays locally and across the state.

Thursday afternoon around 4:45 pm, Saint Charles in Bend went into lockout after a phone call threatened a shooting.  Bend Police were on the way when they attempted to pull over a man near Northeast Neff Road and 27th Street who is wanted in connection with a July 7 domestic assault. The suspect ran from the vehicle into a nearby apartment complex. Officers set up a perimeter, used drones and K9s, and the County alerted nearly 2,000 nearby homes and businesses to stay indoors. The search was unsuccessful.  Police are still looking for a white man, 6-foot-1, 155 pounds, last seen wearing a black hat, black T-shirt and gray camouflage cargo shorts, with tattoos extending onto his neck. Anyone who sees him should call 911. The shooting threat to St. Charles was unrelated and unfounded.

Central Oregon’s wildfire season is seeing a near-normal number of starts, but far fewer acres burned than usual. Forest Service spokesperson Kaitlyn Webb says summer heat is still creating concern, with vegetation drying out and becoming more likely to ignite. Crews have responded to 124 wildfires so far this year. Webb says the key difference is acreage: the 10-year average for this point in the season is about 19,000 acres burned, while this year’s total remains much lower. Public use restrictions remain in effect across Central Oregon as fire danger continues.

Evacuation levels have been lowered near the Coyner Fire north of Redmond after crews stopped the fire’s forward progress. All Level 3 “Go Now” notices are now reduced to Level 1, meaning residents should remain ready in case conditions change. The Sheriff’s Office is urging people in the area to stay alert and watch for fire crews and emergency vehicles. The fire remains at 20.5 acres and is 20 percent contained. Firefighters worked through the night July 5th, strengthening the perimeter and cooling flare-ups in unburned fuel. Crews are continuing mop-up around containment lines and nearby structures.

Redmond Fire and Rescue crews responded around 7:30 Sunday night to a reported structure fire near Northwest Fourth Street and Northwest Hemlock Court. Firefighters arrived to find heavy flames coming from the front of a single-story manufactured home, with nearby homes threatened. Crews quickly stretched hose lines and kept the fire from spreading beyond the one residence. Officials say no one lives there; the home was being used for storage. Because of the volume of items inside, firefighters battled the blaze from outside for safety. Investigators say illegal fireworks ignited dry vegetation, spreading to a fence and then the home. Fireworks are banned within Redmond city limits.

Bend officials are reminding residents fireworks are banned anywhere within city limits, including sales, possession, or use, as dry summer conditions raise fire concerns. Reports of fireworks activity can be emailed to fireworks at bend oregon dot gov.

Rules vary elsewhere. Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch says only legal fireworks are allowed there on July Fourth, and police will be watching, with steep fines for violations. Fireworks are also banned in Sisters and Sunriver, while Prineville, Madras, and La Pine have no local restrictions.

The Humane Society of Central Oregon urges pet owners to prepare now, as fireworks and holiday disruptions can frighten animals.

Bend’s Fourth of July celebration brings back a longtime downtown favorite Saturday with the 99th annual Pet Parade. Julie Brown with Bend Parks and Recreation says generations of families have made the parade part of their holiday tradition.

Brown says the route starts at Harmon Park, loops through downtown, and ends at Drake Park. The walk takes about 40 minutes, and all kinds of participants are welcome.

People can begin gathering at Harmon Park at 8:30, with the parade stepping off at 9:30 Saturday morning.

Five Central Oregon trail projects are getting a boost from the Deschutes Trails Coalition’s Small Project Grant program. The funding supports tools, equipment, and on-the-ground trail work across the region.

Executive Director Jana Johnson says the grants are powered in part by visitor donations through the Dollar for Trails program, run with local hotels. Guests can contribute to help maintain the trails they use while visiting Central Oregon.

Johnson says about 30-thousand dollars was awarded, supporting Sisters-area trail work for equestrians and other recreation users, equipment for Central Oregon Trail Alliance, gravel biking tools, and Cascades Wilderness crews.

Projects are expected to begin this season, with funds available through 2027.

picture: CO Daily News

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek says Central Oregon is making measurable progress on homelessness, pointing to a 20-percent reduction through stronger coordination between local governments and nonprofits. Speaking Monday in Redmond, Kotek said continued progress will depend on lawmakers maintaining support in the 2027 legislative session, especially for addiction prevention and rehousing programs. Statewide, homelessness is down about six percent. Caroline Cruz with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs credited partnerships across Central Oregon, saying improvements in health, family and justice services, education, and transportation are helping connect people to support. Kotek was joined at Shepherd’s House by Warm Springs leaders and elected officials from Bend, Redmond, and the legislature.

Jefferson County Fair officials say next month’s fair and rodeo will go on, but without a carnival.

Fair board member Dan Comingore says their carnival operator canceled less than two weeks ago, citing a shortage of skilled workers and employees overall. Comingore says the board tried every option to secure rides and games, but couldn’t replace the operator in time.

The fair will still feature exhibits, specialty food and drinks, live music, and PRCA rodeo performances. Anyone who already purchased carnival tickets can receive a reimbursement.

The Jefferson County Fair and Rodeo runs July 22nd through the 25th.

Volunteer registration is now open for the 30th annual Deschutes River Cleanup, set for Saturday, July 11th, at six locations from La Pine to Tumalo. Organizers say they need helpers both on land and in the water. Kollen Miller with the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council says paddlers must bring a PFD, whistle, throw bag, and water access permit, with some throw bags available on site. Miller says the cleanup has grown over three decades, with crews focusing each year on the river’s greatest needs and surrounding riparian areas. Signups are available through the river cleanup page online.

Deschutes County is rolling out a new rural recycling service, with a six-dollar monthly fee applied broadly rather than through individual subscriptions. Commissioner Tony DeBone tells KBND News the state required the county to offer the service universally if it chose to move forward.

DeBone says the program will accept most common recyclables, including plastic and cardboard, but not glass. He says it also ties into Oregon’s recycling modernization efforts and the county’s work on a new landfill site with material processing.

The change gives residents in distant rural service areas recycling access more similar to what’s already available inside city limits.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is adding a wellness coordinator to support deputies and staff facing the long-term stress of difficult calls.

Sheriff Ty Rupert says caring for employees is essential to serving the public.

“The best way that we can serve our community is making sure that the men and women that I work with are taken care of first…”

Rupert says the coordinator will work directly with personnel, joining ride-alongs, visiting jail floors, and offering private meetings when needed.

The goal is to keep first responders healthy and ready to serve. The county hopes to have the position filled by this fall.

Bend Fire and Rescue is investigating a fire and reported explosion near the entrance of the Deschutes County Knott Landfill last (Tuesday) evening. Crews were called around 6:40 to the landfill area at 27th Avenue and Knott Road. Firefighters arrived within minutes and found two front loaders engulfed in flames, with fire spreading to a third machine and nearby mulch piles in the recycling area. Crews put out the equipment fires, then spent about an hour dousing the burning mulch. Deschutes County Solid Waste and Republic Services staff assisted on scene. No injuries were reported. Damage is estimated at $150,000.

Ring camera footage shows Deschutes County Sheriff's Office employees outside a home in the Sunriver area discussing Lorena Akhurst. Akhurst filed a complaint in April against a deputy and James McLaughlin, who is running for Deschutes County Sheriff against Ty Rupert. She says the deputy made her feel targeted and threatened because of her race. In June, Interim Sheriff Ty Rupert placed three sheriff's office employees on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation. McLaughlin said he believes in transparency and will apologize for anything he has done to hurt someone.