Month: June 2026

Kelsey Merison

OREGON (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency for Oregon today, citing an imminent threat of wildfire.

This executive order grants state responders access to all necessary resources and will remain in effect until the threat subsides, the fire season concludes, or December 31st, 2026.

The declaration, Executive Order 26-10, was issued after Gov. Kotek determined that Oregon faces a critical fire danger situation, endangering lives, safety, and property due to continued warm and dry conditions.

So far in 2026, Oregon has experienced 414 fires, which have burned approximately 8,077 acres and caused several localized evacuations.

Gov. Kotek emphasized the urgency of the situation and the necessity of the declaration. “Increasing heat, dry vegetation and shifting winds continue to align and create dangerous conditions that demand immediate action,” Gov. Kotek said. She also noted that Oregon has record-setting low snowpack and that nearly half of the state’s counties are experiencing persistent drought conditions.

Gov. Kotek stated that the emergency declaration ensures that “all available resources – firefighting crews, aerial support, ground resources and emergency personnel are prepared for deployments – to protect people, property and our natural landscapes.” She urged Oregonians to be alert, follow emergency officials’ instructions, subscribe to alerts on ORAlert.gov, prepare an evacuation plan and go-kit, and stay aware of changing conditions. Approximately 70% of wildfires in Oregon are human-caused, prompting Gov. Kotek to stress that “Prevention starts with every Oregonian – at home, at work and out and about enjoying our great state.”

The declaration authorizes primary state fire agencies, including the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and the Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), to access state resources for wildfire suppression missions. This ensures the protection of lives, property and the environment.

The Executive Order also directs the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) to activate the State’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. OEM is responsible for coordinating the use of personnel and equipment from all state agencies to assess, alleviate, respond to, mitigate and recover from emergency conditions.

The Oregon National Guard may be deployed and re-deployed for firefighting efforts, as requested by ODF through Operations Plan Smokey 2026, for the remainder of the fire season based on threat and resource shortfalls. Local or tribal government requests for state resources must be submitted to OEM through their respective county or tribal governing bodies.

The state of emergency will remain active until the wildfire threat is significantly reduced, the fire season concludes, or Dec. 31, 2026.

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Kelsey Merison

(Update: adding comments from Prineville City Manager)

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Prineville Mayor Jason Beebe has announced his immediate resignation, citing personal reasons, bringing an end to his tenure leading the city.

Beebe first joined Prineville city government in 2011 and was elected mayor in 2021. His current term was scheduled to run through the end of 2026.

City Manager Steve Forrester says Beebe’s leadership came during a critical period of growth, as the city worked to expand while maintaining its identity.

“He kept us on track, he kept us focused,” Forrester said. “One of those focuses was keeping our culture.”

City officials say that balance between growth and community identity has shaped much of Prineville’s progress in recent years. During that time, the city moved from near the bottom of Oregon’s median wage rankings to near the top.

Forrester credits long-term planning and infrastructure improvements as key factors in attracting new investment and job creation.

“We have the ability to have solid infrastructure — water, streets, public safety — all those things were completed and moving in the right direction,” Forrester said. “That’s what helped us attract job creation.”

Still, city leaders acknowledge that growth brings ongoing challenges, particularly when it comes to maintaining quality of life.

Forrester says collaboration between local agencies has been essential to meeting those challenges.

“The attitude that Jason helped bring to the forefront, along with the rest of the council, is reaching out and working with the county, working with districts and the school district, and pulling our resources together so that we could accomplish these big things that otherwise we couldn’t accomplish independently,” he said.

As Prineville transitions following Beebe’s resignation, Forrester says the city remains on stable footing.

“Prineville is moving forward in a very strong and stable way,” he said.

City officials say day-to-day operations will continue as normal, with a continued focus on serving the community.

Earlier Story — PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — According to the City of Prineville, Mayor Jason Beebe has resigned from the Prineville City Council and his position as Mayor effective June 15th, citing personal reasons.

The city says Beebe has served on the City Council since 2011 and as Mayor since 2021. His current term was scheduled to conclude on December 31, 2026.

Read more from the city’s press release below:

City Manager Steve Forrester thanked Beebe for his 15 years of service and leadership on behalf of the City Council, City staff, and the community.

“Mayor Beebe has been a committed leader who helped position the City on a strong financial foundation while supporting important investments in our water, street, and wastewater infrastructure,” said Forrester. “His focus on long-term planning has helped ensure Prineville remains a strong and stable community for generations to come.”

In accordance with the City Charter, Council President Steve Uffelman will assume the duties of Mayor. The City Council will determine the process for filling the vacant council seat.

The City of Prineville extends its sincere appreciation to Beebe for his years of public service.

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Kelsey Merison

BURNS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Burns Fire Department has been awarded funding from the Oregon State Fire Marshal Staffing Grant for 2026.

The agency says this funding allows the station to have more employees on throughout the summer, allowing them to better serve their communities with quicker response times and manage wildfire threats faster.

Crews will be seen throughout the community this summer inspecting and flushing fire hydrants.

Burns Fire says residents should be aware that they may experience low water pressure and/or discolored water for a brief time.

If you experience either of these conditions, run your cold water for several minutes to flush your plumbing. The water will remain safe to drink at all times throughout this annual maintenance program.

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