Month: May 2025

Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As wildfire season approaches, the Bureau of Land Management is increasing readiness and bolstering rural firefighting efforts by transferring surplus BLM fire engines to local cooperators. Two recently

Through the Rural Fire Readiness program, these transfers aim to improve wildfire preparedness, strengthen interagency cooperation, and help protect vital community resources.

The RFR program provides eligible, local cooperators with essential firefighting resources, including training, tools, communications equipment, and vehicles. By supporting these cooperators, the BLM helps expand firefighting capacity across private, state, tribal, and federal lands, particularly in remote and high-risk areas.

By working together, these groups help protect homes and infrastructure that anchor rural communities, as well as important local resources, including grazing lands that support rural economies, recreational areas that draw tourism and outdoor enthusiasts, and critical wildlife habitat.

The BLM recently transferred engines to two departments:

Lincoln County Fire District 8 (Spokane District) received a Type 6 engine, a nimble vehicle capable of accessing rugged terrain and quickly extinguishing small fires before they grow.

Juniper Flats Rural Fire Protection District (Prineville District) received a Type 4 engine, ideal for extended attack operations and increased suppression capacity.

On the Juniper Flats transfer, Fire Chief for Juniper Flats RFPD, Eugene Walters, commented, “This engine will help control wildland fires in our community so they don’t become major fire events and will provide greater capabilities to protect local lives and property.”

Through continued collaboration and support, the BLM and its rural fire partners are helping ensure faster, more effective responses to wildfire threats across Oregon and Washington.

“We’re happy to see this truck go to a good partner.  We work on challenging incidents with Juniper Flats most every summer, I hope this truck gives them even more capacity,” said James Purswell, Assistant Fire Management Officer-Preparedness.

-BLM-

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

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Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp, who has been barred from testifying at trials due to false information given from the witness stand, has been expelled from the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association Board of Directors, the organization announced Monday.

The news of his removal in a unanimous vote by 32 fellow Oregon sheriffs comes just three days before van der Kamp is scheduled to appear before the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training’s Police Policy Committee. The sheriff told KTVZ News late last month he would decide whether to resign within 90 days.

Here’s the full announcement KTVZ News received Monday from the sheriffs’ organization. We have reached out to the sheriff for any comment or statement:

“A few weeks ago, the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association (OSSA) learned that the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office, led by District Attorney Steve Gunnels, had conducted a lengthy investigation into issues involving the truthfulness of Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp.  The investigation found that Sheriff van der Kamp had been untruthful about his educational credentials in multiple criminal cases.  As a result of this investigation, DA Gunnels determined that the DA’s office would no longer use Sheriff van der Kamp as a witness in any criminal trial – a status commonly referred to as being placed on the Brady list.

“Upon learning of this information, the OSSA Executive Committee met and determined that, under the OSSA Bylaws, the Board of Directors should decide whether to temporarily suspend or permanently revoke Sheriff van der Kamp’s position as a Director on the OSSA Board.  Sheriff van der Kamp was notified that this question would be presented to the OSSA Board at the Spring Conference, and that he would have an opportunity to address the Board before a decision was made. Sheriff van der Kamp did not appear to address the Board, nor did he submit any written materials for the Board to consider.

“On May 14, the Board met and considered the issue.  A motion was made to permanently expel Sheriff van der Kamp from serving as an OSSA Director.  The motion passed unanimously, with 32 Oregon sheriffs voting on the issue. Sheriff van der Kamp was immediately expelled from the OSSA Board of Directors. 

About the Oregon State Sheriffs’ AssociationThe Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1916 to provide training and support to Oregon Sheriffs and their offices. “

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