Month: April 2025

Barney Lerten

(Update: Burn underway, new photo)

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Sisters Ranger District firefighters were conducting up to 60 acres of prescribed burning on Tuesday three miles southeast of Sisters along Forest Service Road 4606 and Peterson Ridge Road.  

After a favorable test fire on the 60-acre SAFR 12 prescribed burn firefighters were continuing with ignitions that were about one-third complete by midday.

Smoke was visible from Sisters, Highways 20 and 126, and the surrounding area. Residents in Cloverdale and Plainview were encouraged to keep doors and windows closed to minimize smoke impacts. Smoke impacts are most likely overnight and in the early morning hours, officials said. 

Recreators are encouraged to avoid Peterson Horse Tie Trail tomorrow while prescribed burning operations are active due to smoke impacts. Smoke impacts are possible across Highway 20 overnight and in the early morning hours. No road or trail closures are anticipated.  

Firefighters implement understory prescribed burning to reduce wildfire risk to communities. Prescribed burning reintroduces and maintains fire within our fire-dependent ecosystem by removing concentrations of vegetation and restoring forest health while increasing public and firefighter safety. 

Fire management officials work with Oregon Department of Forestry smoke specialists to plan prescribed burns. Prescribed burns are conducted when weather is most likely to move smoke up and away from our communities. While prescribed fire managers take significant preventive measures, it’s likely that communities may experience some smoke during or immediately after a prescribed burn.  

What does this mean for you? 

During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight and in the early morning hours.  

All residents are encouraged to close doors and windows at night to avoid smoke impacts. 

If available, use a portable air cleaner. Air cleaners work best running with doors and windows closed. You can also create a DIY air cleaner. 

If you have a central air system, use it to filter air. Use high-efficiency filters if possible. 

When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down, turn on headlights and turn air to recirculating. 

If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, pay attention to how you feel and if symptoms of heart or lung disease worsen, consider contacting your health care professional. 

Go to centraloregonfire.org to learn more about smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon and visit When Smoke is in the Air for more smoke preparedness resources. 

For more information on prescribed burning in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org/ and for information specific to the Deschutes National Forest visit www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes. Follow us on X/Twitter @CentralORFire. Text “COFIRE” to 888-777 to receive wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts. 

Barney Lerten

Sheriff ‘deeply disappointed’ Gunnels placed him on ‘Brady list,’ disputes reasoning

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels said Monday he has placed Sheriff Kent van der Kamp on a short list of witnesses who prosecutors cannot “ethically” call in criminal cases over concerns that he provided false testimony in more than one past DUII case. 

Gunnels confirmed to KTVZ News on Monday the information provided in a story first reported by Oregon Public Broadcasting and that he’d forwarded his office’s findings to a state agency that oversees law enforcement standards, training and certification.

Van der Kamp, in a statement sent Monday afternoon to KTVZ News, said he was “deeply disappointed” by Gunnels’ decision and that he would “respectfully dispute” the DA’s reasoning (his statement in full can be read below). 

The county’s top prosecutor said he placed van der Kamp last week on the county’s “Brady list,” which is a list of witnesses each county keeps of people who cannot “ethically” be called to testify in criminal cases. 

Gunnels told KTVZ News the matter “came to light” in November – around the time van der Kamp was elected sheriff, in a contentious race – when prosecutors in his office raised concerns about the new sheriff’s honesty and “discrepancies” in the record.  

The DA also confirmed his office’s investigation involved cases over a 12-year period from 2012-24. Gunnels said he’s reached out to defense attorneys to see if other cases should be reviewed. 

Gunnels stressed to KTVZ News that there were “dozens of cases we’re looking at – not cases we’ve confirmed have a problem.” 

“Any case in which (van der Kamp) has testified is subject to review, and we will determine if we need to revisit them,” the DA said.

Van der Kamp previously served in a leading role with the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team, or CODE team.

But Gunnels told us, “The cases that we have identified (and are under review) are not drug cases. They are all DUII cases.”

The DA has declined to be more specific at this time about the cases forwarded to DPSST as the agency begins its review.

Gunnels said the results of their investigation were sent to the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, which creates standards and provides training for law enforcement, firefighters and private security personnel.

Gunnels, who has been in the DA’s office for over 30 years, said he’s unaware of any law enforcement member at such a high level who has been put on Deschutes County’s Brady list previously. 

The county’s undated, apparently current Brady list provided to OPB includes eight names, six in Tier 1 and two in Tier 2.

Gunnels told us the Tier 1 list, including van der Kamp, is of people who cannot be called as witnesses. For those on Tier 2, prosecutors have “some discretion” to be called, “with full disclosure about the issue.”

DPSST Communications Coordinator Sam Tenney told KTVZ News that “most details about open cases are exempt from disclosure until DPSST concludes its review and issues a staff report.”

The agency’s website also has a page that explains the professional standards case process in detail – you can view that at:https://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/cj/pages/professionalStandards.aspx

Coincidentally, the sheriff marked his first 100 days in office with this list in a Facebook post:

100 Days of Progress at the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office

On November 5th, 2024, you sent a clear message: it’s time for change. I’m proud to report that in just 100 days, we’ve made meaningful strides in reforming your Sheriff’s Office—and we’re just getting started.

A clear vision for safety, transparency, and accountability

Office morale is up, lawsuits are down and community trust is growing

$2.8 million in savings through responsible budgeting & cutting wasteful spending

Updating aging technology and building systems with NO new taxes

New leadership chosen through a transparent, community-involved process

Streamlined operations and stronger partnerships with county departments

Community members and leaders are consulted throughout

Renewed collaboration with public safety partners across Central Oregon

Immediate action on major issues: homelessness, traffic, wildfire, and crime

We have built a professional, responsive, and efficient team at all levels — focused on delivering results that matter to YOU.

Over the next few weeks, we will be posting details of our progress!

Thank you for your trust and support. The work continues—and I’m honored to lead the way.

– Sheriff Kent van der Kamp

#DeschutesCounty#PublicSafety#100DaysOfProgress#CommunityFirst#StrongerTogether

—

News release from Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp:

A Message from Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp:

I am deeply disappointed by the recent decision by District Attorney Steve Gunnells to place me on the Brady list. While I respectfully dispute the reasoning behind this action, I understand the seriousness of the situation and the impact it may have on the Sheriff’s Office and the public’s trust.

Since taking office, I have worked tirelessly to restore transparency, integrity, and fiscal responsibility within our agency. We’ve made significant progress together — but I also recognize that leadership includes facing challenges head-on and making difficult decisions when they are in the best interest of the community and the Sheriff’s Office.

At this time, I am working closely with my command team, legal counsel, and county officials to fully understand the implications of this decision and carefully evaluate the best path forward for the Sheriff’s Office and Deschutes County. I remain committed to serving this community and to ensuring that the work we’ve begun continues with strength and stability.

I ask for your patience and understanding as we navigate this moment, and I will provide further updates as decisions are made in the days ahead.

— Sheriff Kent Vander KampDeschutes County Sheriff’s Office