Author: KTVZ

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Right now, the City of Bend is working on several street preservation projects.

This week, they’re chipsealing some busy streets, including Mt. Washington Drive, Olney and Revere avenues, and Purcell Boulevard.

Brosterhous Road from the railroad undercrossing to Windsor Drive is now closed for construction on the Azalia and Windsor Septic to Sewer Project. Crews will install a new sewer main along a section of Brosterhous. The closure is expected to wrap up prior to school starting in early September. Detours are in place throughout the closure.

You can learn more at bendoregon.gov.

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Spencer Sacks

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Fire officials announced tonight that the Akawa Butte Fire is 10% contained and now fully surrounded by hand lines and dozer lines. The update was provided during a community meeting held in Sisters earlier this evening, where officials reported the containment level had doubled in just a few hours.

The progress on the Akawa Butte Fire follows extensive efforts, including battling a wall of fire six miles wide. Thousands of firefighters, some from across the state, country and internationally, have contributed to these efforts. The hard work has led to some fire evacuations being reduced, allowing residents to reenter their homes.

Steve Chapman, an official with the OSFM Red Team, provided details regarding the deployment and reassignment of fire personnel. He stated that one task force would continue working through the night. “We have one more task force out tonight,” Chapman said. “They’re going to be out there till about two in the morning and then we’re going to demoed them and send them home so they can get some rest. Tomorrow we’re going to have our last two task forces on this fire. And our team is going to be moving. But our last two task forces are going to work tomorrow until about five in the evening, finish off their shift and then they’re going to go up to the Bench Fire.” A highlight of the meeting was when fire officials received a standing ovation from the audience upon confirming that no firefighters have been seriously injured in the blaze. With the progress made, some crews are being pulled from the Akawa Butte Fire and reassigned to other blazes in the region, including the Bench Fire.

The remaining two task forces assigned to the Akawa Butte Fire are expected to complete their shifts tomorrow until about 5 p.m., after which they will be reassigned to the Bench Fire.

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Claire Elmer

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Multiple wildfires burning near Prineville have merged into a larger fire now being called the Crosswhite West Fire.

The Crosswhite, Brewer, Box Springs, and Green Mountain fires are now being managed together as part of the Rowe Creek Complex West Zone. Officials say the combined fire is burning over a quarter-million acres.

Derek Gasperini, public information officer with the Oregon Department of Forestry, said the extreme fire conditions in Central Oregon played a major role in driving the fires together.

“Under the extreme fire conditions that we’ve had — driven by red flag weather, high winds, high temperatures, low relative humidity, and over 10,000 lightning strikes in the last week here in Central Oregon — [these] fires merged into the Crosswhite Fire,” Gasperini said.

With the fires forming one larger footprint, crews are focused on holding control lines and protecting neighborhoods, roads and natural resources.

“We had to kind of reassess and reevaluate how we were able to suppress and contain these emerging fires with really active fire behavior. Again, our first priority is always life and property,” Gasperini added.

Firefighters are mopping up cooler areas while working to secure the southern edge north of Prineville. Helicopters are also helping from the air with bucket drops, when weather allows.

“We’ve got helicopters that are picking up water and dropping to cool those hotspots, so our hand crews and dozer crews can scratch fire line on the ground. That really starts to build containment of these fires,” Gasperini said.

The fire’s scale and proximity have left some longtime residents anxious. Andrea White, a Prineville resident for over 20 years, said the fire has been difficult to watch.

“It’s really sad to see our woods burn down and all the wildlife, all these people just scared, terrified to lose their homes. You worry constantly, like on a daily basis. It’s really scary,” White said.

Though nerves are running high for some Crook County residents, the community’s gratitude for fire crews is clear.

“These firefighters, they are doing amazing. They are doing such good jobs. I’m so proud of all of them and so thankful for all of their help,” White added.

Officials say evacuations and road closures can change quickly, and residents should continue to follow county alerts and avoid anything that could spark another fire.

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Kelsey Merison

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek ordered flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff on July 29th, 2026, in solemn remembrance of U.S. Navy Commander Gabriel Edwards. Commander Edwards died on July 1st, 2026, following an emergency helicopter landing in the Arabian Sea.

Commander Edwards, a native of Oakland, Oregon, dedicated nearly two decades to military service. His career began after he graduated from Norfolk State University in 2006.

Edwards was commissioned through the Naval ROTC after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Norfolk State University. He earned his aviator “Wings of Gold” in 2008 as a helicopter pilot.

Commander Edwards served with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22 (HSC-22), known as the “Sea Knights.” His service was recognized with several awards for his contributions to multiple elite units.

His assignments included HSC-84, the “Red Wolves;” Naval Special Warfare Group (NSWG) four as the air-to-ground fires office and Joint Terminal Attack Controller; and HSC-85, the “Firehawks.” He assumed command of HSC-5, the “Nightdippers,” in July 2025.

Governor Kotek extended condolences to Commander Edwards’ family. “On behalf of the people of Oregon, I extend our deepest condolences to the family of Commander Edwards, who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation,” Gov. Kotek said. “Commander Edwards embodied the highest ideals of duty, honor and courage during his nearly two decades of service.”

The flag should be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on July 29, 2026.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, ORE. (KTVZ) — The Akawa Butte Fire remains active as of July 28, 2026, with crews continuing mop-up operations today to identify and extinguish hot spots. A community meeting will be held tonight, Tuesday, at 6:30 p.m. at the Sisters High School Auditorium to provide updates to the public.

Firefighters used handheld infrared detection equipment along the northern edge of the fire area overnight to locate and mark heat sources. These hot spots will be extinguished as part of ongoing mop-up operations in Sisters, Ore.

Structural protection crews have established 200-foot buffers around residences and other structures within the fire area. These crews will continue to monitor and patrol residential areas while supporting wildland firefighting efforts.

Resources from the Oregon State Fire Marshal continue to be reassigned to assist with other wildfires, including the nearby Bench Fire.

Work on contingency lines, designed as a secondary defense in case the fire breaches primary containment lines, is nearly completed.

The public is urged to exercise caution while driving in the region due to increased fire activity and the presence of heavy fire equipment. Closed areas and existing evacuation orders are in place to ensure public and firefighter safety.

Elevated fire weather conditions, characterized by hot, dry and breezy conditions, are forecast to continue throughout the week.

Evacuation orders are issued by the respective county sheriff’s offices. Evacuation centers are available at Sisters High School for people and at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds for large animals.

The Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service have implemented closures in and around the fire area. Information on these closures, including those for Deschutes National Forest and Ochoco National Forest & Crooked River National Grassland, is available on their respective websites.

Air quality information and a two-day smoke outlook are available via fire.airnow.gov and outlooks.airfire.org.

The community meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. will be live-streamed on the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Facebook Page and later posted on YouTube. Updated information on evacuations and closures is available through the Deschutes and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Offices websites.

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Kelsey Merison

CROOKED RIVER RANCH, Ore.(KTVZ) — Crews from Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue responded to a reported vehicle fire Monday evening and worked quickly to extinguish the blaze and ensure the scene was safe.

The agency offered a reminder to stay alert while driving: if you notice smoke or flames coming from a vehicle, pull over to a safe location, move everyone away from the vehicle, and call 911 immediately.

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Kelsey Merison

CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — One man died Thursday, July 23rd, 2026, after his white Volvo semi-truck and triple trailer rear-ended an overheated red Freightliner semi-truck and triple trailer on Highway 26 near milepost 31.5, close to Sandy.

The operator of the Volvo, James Glenn Fisher, 62, of Medford, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash, which occurred at approximately 10:37 p.m.

The preliminary investigation by Oregon State Police indicated that Colton Wayne Adams, 36, of Bend, was operating the Freightliner westbound on Highway 26 near East Terra Fern Drive when his vehicle overheated and stopped in the westbound travel lane. Fisher’s Volvo then collided with the rear of Adams’ stopped Freightliner.

The operator of the Freightliner, Adams, was reportedly not injured in the incident.

The crash led to the highway being impacted for approximately 5 hours while an on-scene investigation was conducted.

Oregon State Police received assistance from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Clackamas Fire District, Hoodland Fire District and the Oregon Department of Transportation during their response and investigation.

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Claire Elmer

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — As of Monday, July 27th, firefighters are engaged in a persistent battle against the Brewer, Green Mountain, and Crosswhite West Fires, which are burning near Prineville. Today marks the 13th day of the incident, with crews making progress by halting western progression and maintaining control lines north of the city.

Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuation orders remain in effect for areas impacted by the wildfires.

Despite the lifting of a Red Flag Warning, hot, dry, and windy conditions are still expected on the fireline. Smoke columns are anticipated to be visible today, with the inversion layer projected to lift from late morning to early afternoon.

Suppression aircraft will be deployed across all three fires today as resources become available.

Photo courtesy: Oregon Department of Forestry

On the Brewer Fire, firefighters continue to patrol and mop up the south-southwest portion of the blaze. Crews are also strengthening control lines by removing any vegetation that could potentially ignite.

Last night, Unmanned Aerial Systems, or UAS, were utilized to confirm that the fire remained secure within the Lofton and McKay Creek areas. To the northeast, firefighters successfully got around the majority of the fire that had crossed lines along the A-Y Road, securing those areas and improving control lines.

Intense heat over the fire last night prevented aviation resources from flying over the incident to map fire growth using infrared technology. New acreage figures for the fires will be posted when they become available.

Fire activity on the southern portion of the Green Mountain Fire has been slowly backing down the mountain toward North Mill Creek Road. Crews are actively constructing a combination of dozer and handline, which connects North Mill Creek and McKay Creek roads. These lines will continue to be strengthened as the fire advances toward them.

Photo courtesy: Oregon Department of Forestry

For the Crosswhite West Fire, crews are performing structure protection on homes located in the Marks Creek area. They are also constructing indirect line to prevent the fire from crossing the highway.

Last night, resources from Crosswhite West provided assistance to Crosswhite East, where they secured several spot fires that had crossed highway 26.

On the northern portion of the fire, crews are conducting prep work on indirect line north of Stephenson Mountain. Evacuation orders, including Level 1, 2, and 3 designations, are currently in place. These orders are issued by county sheriff’s offices. The most current evacuation information can be accessed through the Crook County Sheriff’s and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Facebook pages.

Smoke generated by the Brewer, Green Mountain, and Crosswhite West fires may be visible in Prineville and its surrounding areas. This smoke can reduce visibility and affect air quality in nearby communities. Smoke conditions are subject to change throughout the day as wind shifts occur. Individuals who are sensitive to smoke are advised to take appropriate precautions.

For current air quality information and smoke forecasts, residents can visit fire.airnow.gov.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) have both issued closures for lands within and near the fire areas. Information regarding these closures and restrictions is available on the respective BLM and USFS websites.

Photo courtesy: Oregon Department of Forestry

A Temporary Flight Restriction, or TFR, is active for the fire area 24 hours a day until further notice. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire is prohibited by law. Such activity compromises the safety of both pilots and firefighters and interferes with ongoing firefighting efforts. Any illegal drone use will be reported to law enforcement.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, ORE. (KTVZ) — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced today they secured $488,500 in federal funding for key veteran health care programs in rural parts of eastern and southern Oregon. This funding will support no-cost transportation services for veterans traveling to medical facilities.

The funding is part of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) highly rural transportation grants program. Oregon is one of only 12 states nationwide to receive this grant, which expands the capacity of veteran service organizations and state veterans service agencies in providing free transportation for veterans to VA or VA-authorized health care facilities.

Thanks to this funding, the Oregon counties of Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Wallowa and Wheeler will continue to provide free rides to and from VA-authorized health appointments.

U.S. Sen. Wyden emphasized the importance of accessible care for veterans. “It’s unacceptable for any veteran to forgo the care they need due to transportation barriers,” Wyden said. “Oregon’s veterans have spent their lives serving our country and they shouldn’t need to jump through hoops to get a ride to the hospital for the care they need.”

Transportation barriers currently result in thousands of missed VA-authorized health appointments, preventing veterans, particularly aging veterans, from getting necessary care. In 2024, nearly 260,000 veterans resided in Oregon, with 138,066 enrolled in the VA Health care System, according to the Virginia

U.S. Sen. Merkley highlighted the challenges faced by veterans in rural areas. “Our veterans face tremendous hurdles, including access to medical care when they live in rural areas,” Merkley said. He thanked the VA for recognizing this need and the Veteran Service Organizations and Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs for providing transportation. “It is our obligation to fight for the brave servicemen and women who have sacrificed to fight for us.”

The grant funding will help connect Oregon veterans to the state’s three inpatient care facilities, five veteran centers and 21 outpatient care sites.

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Adrielle Hasara

Bend, ORE. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Revenue will temporarily close its Salem office and all contact centers for one hour tomorrow, July 28. The closure, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., is for an all-staff event.

This temporary disruption will affect customers seeking in-person services at the Salem office, located at 955 Center Street NE and those needing phone support. However, the department’s five regional offices in Bend, Eugene, Gresham, Medford and Portland will continue to operate during the one-hour closure.

Customers still have options for conducting business during the temporary closure. The Salem office drop box will remain accessible for clearly labeled payments, excluding cash and for tax forms that are deposited in sealed envelopes.

Additionally, the department’s website and Revenue Online platform will experience no service disruption. Individuals who anticipate needing contact center support or in-person services at the Salem office on the afternoon of July 28 are advised to plan accordingly for the temporary closure.

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