Month: September 2025

Barney Lerten

McKENZIE BRIDGE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Foley Ridge Fire that broke out 10 days ago on the Willamette National Forest east of McKenzie Bridge has burned nearly 450 acres and prompted the closure Tuesday of a 21-mile stretch of state Highway 242, at fire officials’ request.

The Oregon Department of Transportation said the highway was closed Tuesday morning between mileposts 55 (the Highway 126 intersection) and 76 due to the lightning-sparked fire. ODOT urged travelers to use alternate routes and avoid the area. There is no estimated time for reopening.

This is the first full closure of the highway since the fire began, ODOT Public Information Officer Mindy McCartt confirmed to KTVZ News. Previously, there had been one-lane reductions with pilot cars for daytime hours since Saturday.

“The request to close the highway came directly from Incident Command this morning, in consultation with fire officials about the impacts to safety,” McCart told us.

Foley Ridge Fire officials said in a post to the fire’s Facebook page: “HWY 242 is now closed at the intersection of HWY 126 to MP 76 until further notice due to firefighter and public safety. Please use an alternate route and expect delays.”

Here is the Foley Ridge Fire Tuesday morning update from fire officials:

Start Date: 09/06/2025

Percent Containment: 0%

Size: 437 Acres

Cause: Lightning

Personnel: 319

Helicopters: 1

Heavy Equipment: 25

Engines: 9

Crews: 8

Cost to date: $3.3 million (from NIFC Daily Situation Report-PDF)

The Foley Ridge Fire has been mapped at approximately 437 acres, with most of the fire activity along the western edge of Foley Ridge. With continued warm and dry conditions, increased fire activity is expected. The fire is anticipated to stay active overnight, with roll out and isolated single tree torching likely.   

Full suppression efforts are progressing, with firefighters on the southern and eastern flanks, patrolling and securing hot spots where direct handline and dozer line have been constructed. To date, crews have constructed over three miles of dozer line and 1.25 miles of handline and deployed more than 30 miles of hose. 

Fire operations are scouting for opportunities to construct contingency handline and conduct burnouts with strategic firing operations. Carried along established containment lines, firing operations aim to eliminate ground fuels and create a buffer zone. This strategy employs a lower-intensity fire that can help secure the perimeter in terrain too hazardous for direct engagement.   

Structure protection activities continue around Yale Camp, the Foley Seed Orchard, and White Branch Youth Camp. The shaded fuel break along Highway 242 is well-established, and fire operations are actively scouting opportunities to add depth to these indirect containment lines.  

Closures- Road closures include Foley Ridge Road (Forest Service Road 2643), White Branch Youth Camp will remain open. Closed recreation sites include Rainbow Falls Trailhead and Separation Lake Trailhead. Foley Ridge Trailhead will be inaccessible due to the closure. For the complete Foley Ridge Fire closure order, including a map, visit our website at  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/willamette/alerts/foley-ridge-fire-closure-order. 

 Weather- Mostly sunny skies are forecast early this week. Temperatures are expected to rise with low, “near critical” relative humidity for Tuesday and moderate, gusty southeast winds.  

 McKenzie River Highway (HWY 242) (Earlier info, highway now closed) – Please be advised the highway will be reduced to one lane with a pilot car between the hours of 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM due to suppression activities along the corridor. Visit the Oregon Department of Transportation’s webpage for the latest information https://tripcheck.com. 

For more information, visit the incident website: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-foley-ridge-fire.

Foley Ridge Fire map 9-16Download

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Claire Elmer

(Update: Adding video, adding interview with cancer survivor, Duke University professor)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Every five minutes in the U.S., there’s a new diagnosis of gynecologic cancer. September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month — a time to shine a light on a disease which affects nearly 115,000 women in America each year. 

There are five types of gynecologic cancer — ovarian, vaginal, cervical, vulvar, and endometrial — each with varying warning signs. With many symptoms presenting as common issues women frequently face, awareness and education are crucial. 

A Bend woman, Cheryl Steppe, says she believed her first symptom — gradual loss of bladder control — was a normal part of aging. 

“I was feeling well. I never had any pain. I was walking my dog. I was golfing, doing everything I like to do. So I think that’s why I dismissed the bladder control as part of aging, until there was discharge,” said Steppe.

After a series of tests, Steppe was diagnosed with a rare form of stage four endometrial cancer. For Steppe, though she had heard of ovarian and cervical cancers, she was unaware of endometrial cancer. 

Duke University professor of gynecologic oncology Dr. Angeles Alvarez Secord says that’s a common challenge in diagnosis. Many don’t know much about the diseases or how they can present.

“These symptoms are there — they’re just quiet. And we need to do more to spread the word, regarding awareness and educating people about these symptoms to watch for,” said Dr. Secord. 

Both women agree: The most important thing you can do is listen to your body. And by educating and advocating for yourself, you can help set yourself up for the most advantageous outcome. 

“If you’re concerned about something with your body, seek medical care,” stressed Dr. Secord. 

Steppe is hopeful that by sharing her experience, she can bring about much needed awareness. 

“If I can help someone, and maybe save someone’s life, it’s well worth it,” Steppe said. 

Our Way Forward — a national initiative with resources for patients and families — is helping to spread the message and educate the public.

Steppe shared Tuesday that she’s entering her fourth year of being cancer-free. She credits her positivity, loved ones, and support from both her medical team and Our Way Forward with her journey to remission. 

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