Author: KTVZ

Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gas prices in Bend remain above the national average, but drivers in Central Oregon could see some relief at the pump soon.

According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Bend is $4.54 this week. That is 36 cents higher than the national average.

Prices are slightly lower than they were yesterday. However, Bend’s average is still 30 cents higher than it was last month and 94 cents more than it was one year ago.

The Lundberg Survey says a turnaround may be in the making. Reports of a possible agreement between the United States and Iran have been a major day-to-day influence on oil prices, which have dropped sharply in recent days.

With many wholesale gasoline prices also falling quickly, the survey says consumers could see prices drop by at least 10 cents in the near future.

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Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act passed the U.S. Senate, providing a tax exemption for wildfire survivors as Oregon faces its worst wildfire season in modern history. The legislation allows qualified relief payments to be excluded from federal taxable income, including funds received years after a disaster.

The measure addresses a loophole where wildfire relief payments can create a federal tax burden for survivors attempting to rebuild. This legislation comes as Oregon continues to battle active wildfires during a 2026 season cited as the state’s most devastating in modern history.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, has advocated for the legislation for several years. He noted that wildfire survivors often face unexpected financial hits from the government following a disaster. “Well that’s it. I mean, think about it,” Wyden said. “You’ve been hit by this wrecking ball in terms of these huge fires, some of them coming out of nowhere. And then you turn around and you get hit by another big burden of big tax burden from the federal government. Enough is enough. And I’ve been able to get it fixed now and will be signed by the president.”

The legislation has spent years working through Congress before reaching this stage. When asked about the lengthy process in the Senate, Wyden indicated that getting relief passed required a long-term push. “Well, you’re being logical and heaven forbid that logic should break out in the Senate,” Wyden said. “But I’ve been pushing this for a long time. And finally, now we’re getting real relief.”

Beyond tax relief, Wyden emphasized that Congress must ensure fire crews have adequate resources to fight ongoing blazes. Oregon is currently contending with multiple active wildfires and the senator indicated that funding for crews is necessary for both current and future seasons.

The bill awaits a signature from the president to be enacted into law.

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Claire Elmer

(Update: adding comments from National Forest employee)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregonians gathered at the Cascade Lakes Welcome Station on Sunday to celebrate Smokey Bear’s 82nd birthday while learning how they can help prevent wildfires.

The party featured photo opportunities, cupcakes, and activities for children. The Deschutes National Forest co-hosted the event with Discover Your Northwest, a nonprofit organization that supports public lands and visitor education.

Despite the festivities, Smokey’s longstanding wildfire prevention message remained central to the celebration.

“I think he’s a symbol of the West and the history we have here in the West with wildfire and our relationship with it,” said Travis Surplus, a fire prevention technician with the Deschutes National Forest.

Smokey Bear’s wildfire prevention campaign began in 1944. Today, nearly nine in 10 unwanted wildfires are caused by people, making the campaign’s message especially relevant in Central Oregon.

“We’re celebrating Smokey Bear’s 82nd birthday, and we’re using this opportunity to remind everyone that we are in public fire use restrictions right now — stage two,” Surplus said. “That means no campfires are allowed anywhere in the Deschutes National Forest, although propane is allowed.”

Officials urged visitors to check current restrictions before heading outdoors, secure tow chains so they do not drag, avoid parking on dry grass, and use outdoor equipment carefully.

Surplus also thanked the public for supporting crews during a busy wildfire season.

“Our firefighters are working extremely long hours away from their families right now, so having public support really makes a difference,” he said.

Organizers hope the event’s youngest guests will carry Smokey’s prevention message into his next 82 years.

Additional wildfire prevention tips are available at SmokeyBear.com⁠.

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Tracee Tuesday

CENTRAL OREGON (KTVZ) — Smoke from several active wildfires is expected to bring unhealthy air quality to parts of Central Oregon, with the heaviest periods forecast during morning and overnight hours.

Smoke in the region is expected to come primarily from the Rowe Creek Complex. Additional smoke from the Grasshopper Fire could affect Spray and Ukiah in the afternoon, while the Shingle Fire could bring added smoke impacts to Paulina in the evening.

Hot and dry conditions are expected to continue into Sunday, keeping fire activity active and contributing to another day of unhealthy air quality across the region. Periods of unhealthy conditions for sensitive groups are also possible during the afternoon and evening.

Residents are urged to reduce outdoor exposure, avoid strenuous activity and consider using an N95 respirator. People driving through smoky areas should keep windows closed and set their vehicle air conditioning to recirculate mode.

To limit indoor smoke exposure, residents should close doors and windows and create a cleaner-air room inside their homes.

For current air quality information, visit AirNow’s fire and smoke map.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon residents affected by wildfire smoke will soon have access to free box fan air purifier kits and N95 masks through a grant from Rotary International District 5110’s Disaster Response Fund.

A total of 600 box fan air purifier kits and 200 N95 masks will be available beginning Aug. 15 for people adversely affected by wildfire smoke. The supplies are funded through a $21,120 grant and will serve communities in Prineville, Madras, Warm Springs, Sisters and Black Butte.

Local Rotary clubs will assemble and distribute the supplies in their communities. Cindi O’Neil, a Bend Rotarian and former district governor who submitted the grant request, said Rotary clubs are prepared to help meet both immediate and long-term needs when disasters affect Central Oregon communities.

In Prineville and Crook County, box fan kits will be distributed through the county health department, ODHS, Mosaic, the senior center, Neighborhood Impact, Mitchell Wheeler County Trading Company and the Post General Store.

The Rotary Club of Crook County partnered with Les Schwab of Prineville to deliver box fans to central distribution points. The Red Cross also helped identify outlying residents dealing with wildfire smoke in their homes, according to Sara Beeler, president of the Rotary Club of Crook County.

For Sisters and Black Butte residents, free box fan kits will be available at the Sisters Parks and Recreation Department, 611 E. Cascade Ave., beginning Aug. 17.

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Tracee Tuesday

(Update – August 9, 2026: Crescent Butte Fire has now burned 194 acres)

CRESCENT, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crews responded to a reported vegetation fire on Saturday, near Crescent in Klamath County, where smoke was visible from the area.

The fire is now known as the Crescent Butte Fire, according to WildCAD. It is burning about a half-mile northwest of Crescent Butte, near Crescent, and was estimated at 80 acres.

A Level 1, “Be Ready,” evacuation order is in place.

Klamath County established a temporary evacuation point at La Pine High School.

Limited information was immediately available about the fire. Officials continue to monitor the situation.

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Adrielle Hasara

Prineville, ORE. (KTVZ) — The Ochoco National Forest decreased the size of an emergency closure order for the Coyote Fire today, reopening a portion of the Maury Mountains to the public. The decision affects land within the Lookout Mountain Ranger District following increased containment of the wildfire.

While some areas are now accessible, an emergency fire closure remains in place for the western side of the Maury Mountains. U.S. Forest Service officials said the restrictions are necessary to ensure public safety and allow firefighters to continue suppression and repair work in hazardous areas.

Forest leadership evaluated several factors before revising the closure boundaries. These included current fire conditions, containment progress, forecasted weather and the potential for the fire to spread further into the mountain range.

Stacy Long, public affairs officer for the Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland, said officials recognize the impact the closure has on local communities. The restrictions occur during a busy recreation season, affecting visitors such as hunters and campers.

Firefighters remain active in the western portion of the mountains. Crews are focused on suppression efforts and repairing damage caused by the fire and firefighting activities to make the area safe for future public access.

A map of the updated closure area and additional information is available on the Ochoco National Forest website at fs.usda.gov/r06/ochoco/alerts/coyote-fire-closure-order-maury-mountains.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — With temperatures soaring, the Bend Police Department reminds pet owners to leave their dogs at home when running errands.

Over the past week, officials say they’ve gotten more than a dozen calls about dogs left in parked vehicles.

While some animals had water or air conditioning, others did not.

Even on a mild day, the inside of a vehicle can heat up dangerously fast, even with the windows cracked, or the car parked in the shade.

Officials say the safest option is to leave pets at home.

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Tyson Beauchemin

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Bend City Council approved $350,000 in homebuyer assistance Thursday to support eight local households purchasing homes through Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity.

The funding addresses a financial barrier for buyers who can afford monthly payments but cannot qualify for a mortgage large enough to cover the cost of a home in Bend. The eight households earn an average of approximately 60% of the area median income, with two families earning below 50%.

The homes are part of Bear Creek Village, a new affordable housing project located in central Bend near Pilot Butte. Habitat for Humanity acquired the property from the city as surplus land. Hayden Homes is building four duplexes at the site, which is within walking distance of an elementary school and a park.

Eight families have already been selected to purchase these homes at a reduced price. In addition to the city assistance, the organization received state funding to support the project.

Bend CEO Carly Colgan-Redmond Habitat for Humanity, said the location provides residents with significant convenience. One selected homeowner currently commutes from out of town to work at St. Charles Health System. “This is easy access to a lot of places,” Colgan said. “We have a homeowner that, commutes in, from out of town to work at Saint Charles. And now we’ll have an opportunity to ride his bike to work. So those are the things that are really exciting about opportunities like this.”

Hayden Homes hopes to complete 33 more affordable homes through two other projects later this year.

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Kelsey Merison

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Right now, if you plan to drive through Central Oregon, plan for continued delays.

U.S. Highway 26 remains closed between Prineville and Mitchell as wildfire activity and heavy smoke continue to make travel unsafe.

Transportation officials say crews are monitoring conditions around the clock, and will reopen the highway as soon as it’s safe.

Right now, there’s a strong possibility the closure will remain in place through the weekend.

Officials remind you: Do not ignore road closures, nor rely solely on GPS, which may route you onto unsafe roads.

Before you head out, check tripcheck.com for the latest road conditions and closure updates.

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