Author: KTVZ

Dylan Anderman

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ)– Effective immediately, the Deschutes National Forest is temporarily closing an area east of Forest Service Road 11 on the Sisters Ranger District for public safety due to the Akawa Butte Fire.

The area is closed to the public due to hazards and hazardous conditions created as a result of the Akawa Butte Fire.  

For more information about the temporary emergency closure, visit the Deschutes National Forest website.

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Tracee Tuesday

Central Oregon (KTVZ) — Smoke from multiple Central Oregon wildfires is raising new questions about how county fair operations may unfold this summer, with the Jefferson County Fair and Rodeo set to open Wednesday, the Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo starting July 29, and the Crook County Fair beginning August 5.

KTVZ News can confirm, despite the smoke or air quality from wildfires, Jefferson, Deschutes and Crook County fairs will move ahead as scheduled and organizers aren’t anticipating any cancellations.

Fire activity in the region has already prompted evacuations and emergency response actions, while officials say smoke impacts can linger overnight and into the early morning hours.

The Akawa Butte, Brewer, Box Springs, Hay Creek Complex, Rowe Creek Complex, Coyote, Henry, Pilot, and Crooked fires are part of the broader wildfire picture crews are monitoring across the region. Fire officials reported Monday that the Akawa Butte Fire in southern Jefferson County prompted Deschutes County to set up evacuation zones along the northern county line. Officials have also warned that wildfire smoke can affect travel and outdoor conditions even when flames are not directly threatening a venue.

For fairgoers, the biggest question is whether smoke and fire response will affect visibility, traffic, operations or the overall experience at the fairs. Jefferson County’s fair begins first, so attendees there may get the earliest sense of whether conditions remain manageable or whether organizers need to adjust plans. Deschutes County’s fair comes later, giving officials more time to watch how fire behavior and smoke evolve across Central Oregon.

At the Crook County Fairgrounds, Manager Casey Daly said staff will monitor air quality daily and make adjustments if needed as fair time gets closer.

“We’ll monitor the air quality on a daily basis, and then we’ll make adjustments to that as we get closer to fair,” Daly said. “Obviously, with the air quality, there are some health issues for some of the seniors and some folks that have respiratory things going on. And so they’re advised to limit the amount of time that they’re in smoke, and so we’re going to just follow those guidelines.”

In Jefferson County, Event Complex Manager Bart Platt said the fair has added protections for smoky conditions.

“We have secured some additional air scrubbers that we will have, filtering the smoky air and dust particles out of the core arena, where we historically have all of our rodeo action each night throughout the fair,” Platt said. “We also have filtered air throughout open class exhibit buildings. So those are always safe havens for people. We will have air masks available at the front counter for anybody who has any respiratory concerns or would like one available.”

Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center Director Jeff Curtis said fairgoers should monitor conditions and use the indoor spaces available on the property.

“When fairgoers come here, we just advise them to, first of all, monitor conditions and especially if they have underlying health conditions, to take that into account and pick their time when they go to the fair and take their own precautions,” Curtis said. “But we have a very fortunate property with a lot of indoor facilities, so those guests can take breaks from being outdoors. They’re not outdoors all day.”

KTVZ News also spoke with the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office, which says the best way to enjoy these fairs is to stay aware of your surroundings, check the weather, keep an eye on fire updates in the region, and plan accordingly.

Fair details

Jefferson County Fair and Rodeo

When: Wednesday through Saturday (July 22 through July 25).

Where: Jefferson County Event Complex in Madras.

Time: Fair week runs throughout the day and evening.

Other info: Rodeos, livestock, concerts and local food are part of the event.

Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo

When: July 29 through August 2.

Where: Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond.

Time: Fair week runs throughout the day and evening.

Other info: A major Central Oregon summer event.

Crook County Fair

When: August, 5-8.

Where: Prineville.

Time: Free admission and parking; event schedule varies by day.

Other info: The fair follows soon after the Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, ORE. (KTVZ) — The Central Library in Bend, Ore., will host a community grand opening celebration on Aug. 15 and 16, 2026. The two-day event will feature performances, presentations and activities for all ages, marking a formal celebration for the library which has been operating since mid-May 2026.

The celebration comes after the library has been in full operation for more than two months, already welcoming nearly 150,000 visitors. Deschutes Public Library Director Todd Dunkelberg expressed the community’s positive reception. “The community response to the Central Library has been nothing short of amazing,” Dunkelberg said. “We’ve had nearly 150,000 enthusiastic people come through the doors since we opened in mid-May. Now that we’ve had a chance to settle in, we’re excited to throw a proper grand opening event that celebrates not just this incredible new building, but the people of Deschutes County who made it all possible.”

The grand opening event on Aug. 15 will begin at noon with remarks from members of Indigenous Neighbor Nations, U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze and Oregon Poet Laureate Ellen Waterston. The Central Library will be closed on the morning of Aug. 15 for preparations and will reopen to the public after the noon remarks.

Attendees on Aug. 15 can see performances from kite fliers and Lava City Cirque. Activities will include face painting, hands-on activities in the MakerSpace, balloon artistry and a poetry exhibit. Events scheduled for Aug. 15 also include presentations by members of Central Oregon’s Neighbor Nations at 12:45 p.m., artists Jeremy Okai Davis, John Grade and MoWo at 1:45 p.m., and U.S. Poet Laureate Sze at 3:00 p.m.

The celebration will continue on Aug. 16, with the library opening at 9:00 a.m. The day’s events include llamas on the Central Library’s east patio at 9:30 a.m., a free screening of the film “The Librarians” at 11:00 a.m., and a Bella Acapella Choir performance at 3:00 p.m. A writing workshop with Oregon Poet Laureate Waterston is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., requiring registration.

All library events are free and open to the public.

The library projects were made possible by a bond measure supported by Deschutes County voters in November 2020. This bond funded the remodeling of existing libraries in La Pine, Sisters and Sunriver. It also funded the construction of new libraries in Redmond, which opened in Jan. 2025 and the new Central Library in east Bend, which opened in May 2026 to serve all Deschutes County residents.

The remodel of the Downtown Bend Library, also funded by the 2020 bond measure, is expected to be complete in summer 2027. Registration is required for the writing workshop with Oregon Poet Laureate Waterston.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, ORE. (KTVZ) — The Bend-LaPine Education Foundation received a $5,000 grant this month from the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation to support Classroom Enrichment projects in Bend-La Pine schools. This award will help fund innovative teaching and learning initiatives.

The grant will specifically benefit the Foundation’s Classroom Enrichment projects, which aim to encourage innovation in local classrooms. Last year, the Bend-LaPine Education Foundation funded 107 teacher requests, underscoring its commitment to educational support.

The Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation was established in 1997, formalizing the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians’ commitment to community support. The foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations that serve the public in Coos, Deschutes, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and Lane counties. Its primary areas of support include basic needs, abuse prevention and intervention, education, health and wellness and community support.

The Bend-LaPine Education Foundation, started in 1988, is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It is composed of parents, community leaders, educators and citizens who believe a vibrant public school system is essential to the social and economic well-being of the community. Michele Emery, Education Foundation board president, expressed gratitude for the ongoing partnership. “We are grateful to once again receive generous support from the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation,” Emery said. “Grants like this allow us to continue supporting teaching and learning in Bend-La Pine schools. Last year, we funded 107 teacher requests and this award helps us keep encouraging classroom innovation. We appreciate our long-standing relationship with the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation and look forward to putting these resources directly into classrooms.”

The Foundation mobilizes community resources to fund innovative academic, STEAM, CTE, art, music and wellness programs. These programs go beyond normal school funding at the 33 schools within the Bend-La Pine School District. Other initiatives include Activity Fee Scholarships and Perseverance Scholarships.

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Claire Elmer

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — Sunriver Police tell KTVZ News an adult man was found dead outside the Sunriver Public Safety Building late Monday morning.

Sunriver Police and Sunriver Fire responded to the building around 11:55 a.m. After contacting the individual, crews determined he was deceased.

The Sunriver Public Safety Building, located on Abbott Drive, and its parking lot were closed for several hours during the response.

Sunriver Police tell KTVZ News the death appears to be the result of a self-inflicted injury and is considered an isolated incident. There is no ongoing threat to the public.

The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not released the man’s identity, and KTVZ News will not name him out of respect for family and friends.

The Sunriver Public Safety Building has since reopened.

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Tracee Tuesday

(UPDATE, 7/20/26, 10:22 pm): Akawa Butte Fire has grown to 10,391 acres; 3% contained

CROOKED RIVER RANCH, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Akawa Butte Fire is continuing to burn in Deschutes and Jefferson counties, with firefighters working to keep it from moving closer to nearby communities. The blaze is about 9 miles northwest of Crooked River Ranch and has burned 10,391 acres with 3% containment.

Firefighters spent the day concentrating on the southern side of the fire north of Stevens Canyon and Whychus, while the most active fire behavior was seen on the western side of Akawa Butte. Officials said heavy equipment, hand crews and helicopters were used for direct attack along the active perimeter, and localized winds at higher elevations made conditions erratic and difficult for crews.

A visible column could be seen from surrounding communities as the fire showed perimeter growth on the northwest side and continued burning in the interior.

“We did have some fire growth overnight, a little over 4,000 acres,” Sandy Roberts of the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office said. “The fuels are, unfortunately, ready to burn. Everything’s super, super dry. And this was a lightning event, right? All over Oregon. And so we’ve also had unstable weather. We’ve had erratic air flow, winds. Temperatures have been hot. It’s been in the 90s. So we’ve got a lot of heat on this fire. The state is tapped. We have over 25 incidents, I believe, in the state of Oregon. And there’s a lot of fire on the landscape.”

Officials said resources continue to arrive, including heavy equipment for line construction along the northwest side of the fire. Night crews are expected to strengthen new lines on the southern fire perimeter and work north along the western edge to help prevent the fire from spreading toward communities. Additional water tenders also have arrived to support operations.

Fire managers said the cloud cover broke in the afternoon, increasing fire behavior. Tuesday is expected to be warmer and drier, with a slight chance of thunderstorms. Any convective storms could bring gusty winds and potentially contribute to fire growth.

Residents are being urged to stay familiar with evacuation levels and to know exactly what they mean in the path of a wildfire. Level 1 means be ready, Level 2 means be set, and Level 3 means go now. Deschutes County officials have said evacuation levels can change quickly as fire activity shifts.

In Crooked River Ranch, resident Randy Carrington said he knows wildfire season well, after last year’s Flat Fire came within 600 yards of his property. He said the Akawa Butte Fire has felt different so far.

“This year. Yeah. Just smoking. Not so bad. Winds blowing the other way fuels not as much. Not too worried,” Carrington said.

To stay up to date on the latest Akawa Butte Fire information, visit the official fire update page on Facebook.

Reported: 7/20/26 at 11:45 am

Fire crews continue to battle the Akawa Butte Fire burning roughly nine miles northwest of Crooked River Ranch, as the blaze expands across Deschutes and Jefferson counties.

The fire has scorched more than 10,000 acres and remains only minimally contained, with steep, rocky terrain and narrow canyon draws making access difficult for crews working to hold the line.

Overnight, firefighters focused on reinforcing dozer lines and targeting hot spots, while new resources — including structural protection teams — are arriving as command transitions between state fire agencies.

Officials say efforts today will center on strengthening containment lines along the north and south edges, but conditions on the ground continue to test crews.

A virtual community meeting is planned for Monday evening, where residents can hear the latest on fire activity and response efforts.

KTVZ’s Tracee Tuesday will be live near the Akawa Butte Fire with the latest updates, challenges crews are facing, and what it means for nearby communities — today at 4, 5, and 6 p.m. on our NBC and FOX newscasts.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, ORE. (KTVZ) — The Young Listeners’ Guild is offering free concert tickets for ages 17 and under with the purchase of a regular-priced ticket, coinciding with the Sunriver Music Festival’s main concert series from Aug. 10-20.

This initiative supports young audiences as the festival launches its 50th Golden Anniversary Season across venues including the Sunriver Resort Great Hall and the Tower Theatre in downtown Bend.

The buy-one-get-one (BOGO) offer applies to all concerts and sections throughout the year, including classical and pops performances. Patrons can reserve their free tickets by calling 541-593-1084 after viewing the full schedule at sunrivermusic.org.

The Young Listeners’ Guild also accepts donations to fund these free tickets, with contributions made at sunrivermusic.org/donate by specifying “YLG” in the comments.

The main concert series for the Sunriver Music Festival runs from Aug. 10-20. Performances will take place at the Sunriver Resort Great Hall and the Tower Theatre in downtown Bend, with an additional family concert scheduled for Benham Hall at SHARC in Sunriver.

A special family concert, “Harry Potter & the Instruments of the Orchestra,” is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 14, at 4:00 p.m. at Benham Hall at SHARC, Sunriver. Artistic Director and Conductor Brett Mitchell will lead this matinee, which explores orchestral instruments through music by John Williams, featuring “Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” This one-hour concert will also include a performance by Young Artists Scholarship recipient Matthias Santucci on piano, accompanied by the Festival Orchestra.

An informal “meet the instruments” opportunity will be held before the Potter concert in partnership with Cascade School of Music. Adult tickets for this family event are priced between $15 and $25.

The festival will present a Trombone Trio Concert on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the Sunriver Resort Great Hall. This performance will feature Sunriver Music Festival trombonists Henry Henniger, Wayne Solomon and Steve Suminski, highlighting the “extraordinary artistry” and “uniquely compelling” sound of the trombone trio in an intimate chamber setting.

Another upcoming event is the “RIM OF THE WELL” Concert, set for Saturday, Sept. 19, at 7:00 p.m. at Sunriver Christian Fellowship. This concert features Steve Mullins on flamenco guitar and Doug Walter on marimba. The performance will launch the Festival’s 50th Golden Anniversary Season.

Internationally renowned marimba and vibraphone artist Walter has been involved with the Sunriver Music Festival since nearly its beginning. The concert’s name, “RIM OF THE WELL,” is inspired by Federico Garcia Lorca’s writings about art requiring risk-taking.

The Young Listeners’ Guild offer extends to any and every Sunriver Music Festival concert throughout the year. The program aims to encourage young people’s engagement with classical music by making concerts more accessible.

The Sunriver Music Festival is launching its 50th Golden Anniversary Season with the “RIM OF THE WELL” Concert on Sept. 19.

Tickets for the “RIM OF THE WELL” Concert will go on sale on Aug. 1. The main concert series of the Sunriver Music Festival concludes on Aug. 20.

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Adrielle Hasara

Salem, ORE. (KTVZ) — Gov. Tina Kotek announced today that she is accepting applications for a judicial vacancy on the Union and Wallowa County Circuit Court. This opening in the 10th Judicial District follows the upcoming retirement of Judge Thomas B. Powers.

Judge Powers is scheduled to retire on Dec. 1, 2026. Gov. Kotek stated she will fill the position by appointment, emphasizing her commitment to selecting judges based on merit and encouraging applications from lawyers with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences.

Applications for the judicial vacancy must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Interested applicants should address their completed forms to Richard A. Lane, General Counsel, Office of the Governor. Forms must be submitted via email to Shevaun Gutridge at shevaun.gutridge@oregon.gov, as mail or hand delivery will not be accepted.

Candidates must meet specific eligibility requirements as outlined in ORS 3.041 and 3.050. At the time of appointment to the court, the individual must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of Oregon and a member of the Oregon State Bar. Additionally, ORS 3.041(two) mandates that the person filling the vacancy must either reside in or maintain a principal office in the judicial district or an adjacent judicial district.

For any questions regarding the appointment process, or to request an interest form, individuals can contact Shevaun Gutridge directly at 503-378-6246 or via email at shevaun.gutridge@oregon.gov. The judicial interest form is also available online.

Judge Powers’ retirement takes effect Dec. 1, 2026 and Gov. Kotek will fill the position by appointment.

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Claire Elmer

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — An incident command post has been established at the Sisters Rodeo Grounds as crews continue battling numerous wildfires sparked by recent lightning storms across Central Oregon.

More than 2,000 lightning strikes hit Central Oregon on July 15th, which have now ignited around 85 wildfire fires in the region, according to Central Oregon Fire. Among them are the Pilot, Akawa Butte, and Brewer fires.

As of Sunday at 5:00p.m., the Pilot Fire has burned about 120 acres and is now in patrol status with 20% containment. Firefighters continue working to gain control of the much larger Akawa Butte and Brewer fires. The Akawa Butte Fire has grown to nearly 6,900 acres, while the Brewer Fire has expanded to about 17,900 acres. Both remain at 0% containment.

Fire officials say challenging weather conditions are fueling extreme fire behavior.

“It is extreme fire behavior out there on the fire line at all three fires,” said Whitney Tayer, deputy public information officer with the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Complex Incident Management Team 2. “All three of these fires are extremely wind-driven. As the wind shifts, tactics are changing.”

Crews are working to build and reinforce containment lines, and additional help is now arriving from outside the region after several days of limited resources.

“Our national preparedness level is at a level five, on a scale of one to five,” Tayer said. “It means that our resources are extremely limited when we are placing orders to get resources from around the country.”

Tayer said only 10% to 20% of requested resources had been arriving in recent days, but that is beginning to change.

“Today, we’ve seen a lot more resources coming into the area,” she said. “We have a task force coming from California, additional task forces coming tomorrow, and resources from Nevada and Idaho.”

Fire managers are also urging residents to take evacuation notices seriously and be prepared to leave early if conditions worsen.

“If you are experiencing a Level 2 evacuation, take that seriously and pack up your belongings and get ready to leave ahead of time,” Tayer said. “There are large pieces of heavy equipment traveling on these roads, and we would hate for people to get stuck behind them.”

Officials stress that staying alert and informed is critical as fire conditions continue to evolve.

KTVZ News has dedicated pages for a general overview of wildfires currently burning in each of the following counties: Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson. Please note they are not updated in real-time and are not a substitute for emergency alerts or the most recent evacuation notices.

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Spencer Sacks

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Emergency Conflagration Act was invoked Saturday, for the Akawa Butte and Brewer fires, which are actively burning in Deschutes and Jefferson counties. This action was taken as hot, dry weather and strong, shifting winds have caused the fires to grow significantly, threatening nearby communities.

The invocation of the act enables the Oregon State Fire Marshal to assign its Red Incident Management Team and several task forces to the fires. These resources will work alongside wildland partners to protect nearby communities and critical infrastructure. This marks the fifth time the Emergency Conflagration Act has been invoked in 2026.

Hot, dry weather and strong, shifting winds created difficult firefighting conditions across Central Oregon Friday. Conditions will continue to be hot and dry today, Saturday, with light winds expected in the morning that are predicted to increase in the afternoon. Deschutes and Jefferson County sheriff’s offices have levels 1, 2 and 3 evacuation notices in place for affected areas.

State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple commented on the ongoing challenges. “The conditions we’re seeing across Oregon have challenged firefighters for the past week and the current forecast isn’t providing much relief,” Ruiz-Temple said. “I’m urging every Oregonian to be wildfire aware and to sign up for their county’s emergency alerts. Know the evacuation levels and follow them if they are issued.”

The Oregon State Fire Marshal Red Incident Management Team will operate in unified command with the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Team 2. The Oregon State Fire Marshal is posting updates on incidents where it has resources assigned on osfminfo.org. Oregonians can also sign up for emergency alerts at oralert.gov.

Fire managers expect challenging, wind-driven fire activity later today, Saturday. Those looking for evacuation information should follow their local sheriff’s office.

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