Category: ktvz-local-news

Barney Lerten

(Update: Revised size estimate, containment figure; Crook County drops Level 1 notice)

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Numerous firefighters on the ground and in the air stopped the spread of a new grass fire that burned about 500 acres southeast of Madras near the Jefferson-Crook county line on Wednesday, prompting evacuations and alerts that later were reduced and dropped.

The Grizzly Flat Fire was reported shortly after noon about three miles north of Grizzly Mountain, south of the intersection of SE Ramms and Grizzly roads, according to Watch Duty. Forward progress was stopped on the fire by Wednesday evening and the fire, estimated late Wednesday at 624 acres, was mapped overnight at 496 acres, but officials later held to the higher figure.

As of Thursday afternoon, officials said the blaze was 65% contained, “with three crews and five engines working hard to further that.”

Here’s their Thursday afternoon update on the Grizzly Flat Fire:

Start Date: July 2 at 12:09

Location: Northwest of Prineville, OR

Jurisdiction: Oregon Department of Forestry–Prineville

Fire Size: 624 acres 

Cause: Under investigation

Fuels: Grass, brush, juniper

Structures: No structures lost; all evacuations lifted

Fire Crews/Resources: Interagency fire crews are engaged and continuing mop-up. There is a fireline around the perimeter of the fire.

Containment: 60% Containment

Visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org for wildfire updates or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire. For smoke and air quality information visit fire.airnow.gov.

The fire burned on land protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District, which posted this update Wednesday night:

“Thank you to all our friends and neighbors that helped stop the Grizzly Flat Fire today! The landowner and neighbors, Grizzly RFPA, Jefferson County Fire District, Jefferson County Sherrif’s Department, Crook County Sherrif’s Department, BLM, USFS, all those amazing aviation folks and dispatchers out there. This incident had significant potential to become a much bigger problem.

The fire is currently estimated to be 500 acres, expect that to change with more accurate mapping. Its expected to remain inside the current footprint and crews will be on scene into the night to keep it there. Please avoid the area as crews will be mopping up hot spots for the next few days.”

Visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org for wildfire updates or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire. For smoke and air quality information, visit fire.airnow.gov.

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Around 2 p.m. Wednesday, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office posted to Facebook:

“Due to a fire off Grizzly, (Zone) SE 16 is in a level 3. SE 20 is a level two. SE15 is a level one. (CRR-1S-B was added later.)

Winds are blowing in a SE direction at this time. If levels change, we will let you know through the Everbridge alert app and here on Facebook.”

Around 6 p.m., they posted a good-news update:

“All zones are currently at a Level One. Thank you to all the hard work of the First Responders who assisted with the Grizzly Flat Fire. Still stay Ready to Go at any time.”

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office evacuation levels map: Red is Level 3 GO NOW, Yellow is Level 2 GET SET, Green is Level 1 GET READY

INTERACTIVE MAP: https://fr911orgis.maps.arcgis.com/…/weba…/index.html…

Seven engine crews were dispatched Wednesday, along with a bulldozer, as firefighters worked to protect structures east of the fire.

Crook County, meanwhile, issued a LEVEL 1 (BE READY) notification for NW Grizzly Mountain Road, Ochoco West Subdivision, and NE Allen Creek/NE Lofton Creek.

Shortly before 9 a.m. Thursday, the Crook County Sheriff’s Office posted: “CCSO Emergency Management has dropped the LEVEL 1 (BE READY) evacuation for the Grizzly Flat Fire.”

No cause has been reported for the fire, but Central Oregon fire officials said the region received more than 2,700 lightning strikes from Tuesday’s thunderstorms.

They said, “13 new incidents within the same period are either completely contained or being actively worked.” Most were stopped at a small size, typically listed as 1/10th of an acre.

We will be tracking this new fire and others as they come to light, on KTVZ.COM and KTVZ+.

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Jillian Fortner

(Update: Adding videos, Adding details, Jillian Fortner has a report at 6)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Lava River Cave, Oregon’s longest known lava tube, is now open for summer guided tours. The nonprofit Discover Your Forest is offering tours for a second season, after launching the program as a pilot last year.

The tour lasts roughly 90 minutes to two hours.

“We stop along the way to discuss geology, ecology, the bats in the cave and what visitors are seeing. We do kind of give an introduction so people know what they’re getting into to feel safe and comfortable as well”, said Sophia Zoll, Conservation Educator for Discover Your Forest.

The cave stretches two miles underground, with ceilings reaching up to 60 feet.

Visitors are encouraged to dress in warm layers, as temperatures inside the cave stay around 42 degrees year-round. A strong flashlight is also recommended.

“We do provide flashlights here, available for rent for $7. They’re really nice, powerful flashlights. If you do bring your own flashlight, you’re absolutely welcome to, but just make sure they’re really powerful.” Zoll said.

Visitors are also asked to wear clothing and gear that haven’t been inside other caves, to help prevent the spread of white-nose syndrome, a deadly disease that affects bats.

“There aren’t any official confirmed cases of white-nose syndrome in Oregon, as of 2025. But as of 2024, white-nose syndrome spread through Washington more than it ever had. So that’s right up against the Columbia River Gorge,” Zoll said.

All proceeds from the tours go to Discover Your Forest, which supports conservation and educational programs in the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests.

The nonprofit says the funding comes at a critical time.

“It’s more important than ever for us to keep our education programs free and have programs like this, the guided tours that allow us to do so due to the changes in federal funding,” said Laken Bose, Discover Your Forest’s Director of Education and Interpretation.

These funding issues are part of a nationwide trend that has seen thousands of probationary and seasonal Forest Service employees laid off in 2025, further straining nonprofit partners like Discover Your Forest.

“Because so many nonprofits are feeling that lack of federal funding, competition for grants has become more intense than it has in the past as well,” Bose said.

Tour prices range from free to $60, depending on age, and donations can also be made online to support the organization’s mission.

Lava River Cave guided programs are available on Thursdays, June 6 through September 5, with the exception of Thursday, July 4. Programs are at 2:00 p.m. and last one and a half to two hours. No hiking or caving experience is necessary.

Prior registration is required. Please register at: Lava River Cave Tours – Discover Your Forest. A Recreation.gov timed ticket is not required for this program.

For questions, please contact Laken Bosé, Education and Interpretive Programs Manager at (541) 383-5557 or laken.bose@discovernw.org

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Barney Lerten

(Update: Local districts comment; Isabella Warren has a report tonight on KTVZ News at 5 P.M.

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek on Wednesday signed Executive Order 25-09, which aims to improve student educational outcomes and mental well-being across the state by prohibiting cell phone use by students during the school day in Oregon’s K-12 public schools.

Isabella Warren is getting local reaction, including Representative Emerson Levy, who authored a bill this session to ban cellphones. It ultimately failed. Her report is coming up tonight on KTVZ News at 5 P.M.

Jefferson County School District 509J sent us this statement in reaction to the governor’s order:

Jefferson County School District 509J aims to create a learning environment where all of our students can flourish. We know that reducing distractions, especially those caused by personal electronic devices, will help keep students focused and engaged during critical instructional hours.

For the past couple years, our secondary schools have been proactive at implementing practices that prohibit personal electronic device use for students. We’ve seen the benefits that come with creating an environment where students are fully engaged during instructional time.

Bend-La Pine Schools provided this statement:

“For several years now, Bend-La Pine Schools has enforced restrictions on student access to phones and other personal devices during the school day. Our District policy provides some flexibility for high school students, who are allowed to access their devices outside of class time, while maintaining a “phones away” stance during instructional time. Our practice of entrusting older students with limited phone access during lunch and passing periods will come to an end when the governor’s order takes effect. While we believe it’s best to allow school districts to develop policies that work best for their respective communities, we understand that the governor, who also serves as Oregon’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, can override local policy in matters such as this.”

—

Model policies for schools that already have prohibitions in place will be made available as well as flexibility in implementation, the governor said in her news release, which continues in full below:

“Oregon’s schools should be a place where students find belonging, support, and the joy of learning something new.” Governor Kotek said. “The research is clear: cell phone use can create a trifecta of consequences for our young people – mental health issues, safety in school, and distraction from learning. I signed this order to stand up for the promise of every student in every corner of the state.”

EO 25-09 addresses two of the Governor’s fundamental goals: delivering a high-quality public education and protecting Oregon’s young learners’ safety, health, and well-being. Districts will be required to adopt a policy prohibiting cell phone use by students by October 31, 2025 and those policies must be in full effect no later than January 1, 2026. 

“By getting cell phones out of our schools, Governor Kotek is putting students first,” Senator Lisa Reynolds (D-West Portland & Washington County) said. “Every Oregon student deserves a distraction-free, harassment-free learning environment that fosters curiosity and community. This executive order will help us make that a reality.”

“Getting cell phones out of classrooms and lunchrooms is a proven way to boost students’ academic performance and mental health,” Representative April Dobson (D-Happy Valley) said. “While I’m disappointed our cell phone-free schools bill didn’t make it across the finish line this session, I’m grateful for the Governor’s leadership carrying this forward.”

“I was the chief sponsor of the bill to eliminate cell phone use by students during school hours. It passed the House, but didn’t make it out of committee in the Senate,” Representative Kim Wallan (R-Medford) said. “I am very glad we will have this order in place and I do plan to reintroduce the bill so that we have this important policy in statute.”

Educators across the state report that cell phones are disruptive in their classrooms and hinder their ability to teach. Furthermore, research shows cell phones undermine students’ ability to focus – even when the phone is just on the desk, not being used. As Oregon students’ academic recovery from the pandemic remains slow, cell phone-free schools are a powerful way to help students succeed.

“As a student leader at Milwaukie High School, I worked with teachers to help support our move to a phone-free school day. We saw right away how much better things felt. People were more focused and more connected,” Gustavo Barraza, graduating senior at Milwaukie High School, said. “A lot of issues at school start with phones, or get worse because of them. Some of my closest friends came from being more present at school, and those relationships helped shape who I am today. That’s why I’m glad Governor Kotek is stepping up to help students by making this a priority.”

“Today’s executive order puts Oregon children first,” Andrea Davis, founder of Better Screen Time, said. “At a time when Oregon faces both an education crisis and a teen mental health epidemic, we cannot afford to implement half-measures. This executive order addresses both challenges simultaneously—improving academic outcomes while giving students back the human connections that smartphones have distracted them from.”

Increasingly, evidence also shows cell phones themselves have a negative impact on young people’s mental health, attention spans, and self-esteem. Cell phone-free schools can be a refuge from the negative effects of cell phones, allowing students to be fully engaged in the act of learning and in their school community.

“We appreciate Governor Kotek for taking bold action to support youth mental health, student learning, and classroom focus,” Julie Scholz, Executive Director of Oregon Pediatric Society said. “Pediatricians see how excessive phone and social media use contributes to anxiety, depression, and school disengagement. This executive order is a meaningful step toward creating healthier school environments where students can truly connect, focus, and thrive. Oregon’s current patchwork of school phone policies isn’t working, and it’s time for a consistent, evidence-informed plan.”

“I applaud the Governor for taking executive action to support cell phone-free schools. In over a decade working with schools worldwide, we’ve come to learn that the inclusion of smartphones in school has a negative impact on learning; worse than bullying, depression, and comparable to childhood traumatic brain injury,” Jared Conney Horvath, PhD, MEd, a neuroscientist, author and director of LME Global, said. “I’ve seen soft phone policies consistently fail to improve learning or behavior. But when schools implement full, bell-to-bell cell phone restrictions, we see significant benefits. Once phones are gone, schools gain the equivalent of 1 to 6 extra hours of instructional time per week in the first year, students are more focused, teachers are more engaged, and everyone is more connected.”

The order sets a statewide standard for cell phone use while allowing for district leaders to have local conversations and flexibility. It also calls for certain allowances for individual students to keep their cell phones during the day, including if they are needed for medical reasons or to support students with disabilities who have an individualized education plan (IEP).

Read the full text of the order here.

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. [KTVZ] — Hawthorn Healing Arts Center opened its doors Tuesday night for a special community Open House, catering to women’s wellness.    

Located on NW Louisiana Avenue in Bend, Hawthorn Healing Arts Center, welcomed attendees, who were treated to light refreshments and a complimentary 5‑minute wellness check.   

Guests also had the opportunity to ask questions during a live Q&A, with Nurse Practitioner Melissa Porras, whose specialty is menopause. 

Melissa spoke about the changes a woman’s body experiences and the symptoms of menopause.    

“The typical symptoms that people know about our hot flashes, night sweats. But there’s a lot more than just that. There’s cognitive like brain fog. Your bone density actually decreases 10% over these ten years, potentially. Random things, frozen shoulder, fatigue, insomnia, depression. That’s another thing, so your body’s hormones are fluctuating and slowly decreasing.” 

Co-owner and Naturopathic Physician Joshua Phillips says, the vision of Hawthorn Healing Arts Center was created from the understanding that health, vitality and recovering from illness is a multi-faceted and sometimes complex process. 

We’ve also really positioned ourselves as a community hub and places where people can come for workshops and classes. We do have a retail space where we sell herbs and vitamins, and supplements. And the bulk of our patient population are folks that do live in the area and come in to us for ongoing care,” said Phillips. 

Check out this space for their services and treatments.  

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Dylan Anderman

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The fireworks will fly in Redmond once again this July, and no one is more excited than the 10U Junior Ravens.

The youth baseball team filled the front row at Tuesday’s Redmond City Council meeting, eagerly awaiting the outcome of a debate that could directly impact their summer season.

The Council decided that fireworks are allowed through July 4th. For the Junior Ravens, that decision was a game-changer.

For the second straight year, the team is selling fireworks as their main fundraiser — helping cover costs for facilities, equipment, and tournament fees. Last summer, the young athletes raised more than $20,000 through the effort.

For these kids, the fireworks stand isn’t just about celebration – it’s about making baseball possible.

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Triton Notary

HAPPY VALLEY, Ore. (KTVZ)– The Justice Department says 38 year old Yuance Chen acted as an illegal agent for China’s Ministry of State Security. They also believe he was secretly gathering information on US Navy members and even trying to recruit new spies. Chen faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Federal prosecutors say this highlights China’s efforts to infiltrate US military operations.

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Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– As the world watches in shock as firefighters in Idaho were brutally attacked and gunned down while on a call. Bend Fire and Rescue is prepared for situations like this with bulletproof safety vests. However, the fire department only uses these vests when they know they’re responding to a possibly hostile situation. The vest rarely see use because the fire department says nearly all its interactions with the public are positive

Makayla Oliver, with Bend Fire and Rescue told KTVZ news “I think generally people are thankful when our responders show up on scene. They know we’re there to do our job one way or another. There are times when we’re trying to enforce a fire code that is not always welcome. However, we try to make sure they understand what the risks are and why we’re asking them to do that, and typically it it ends on a positive note.”

Within city limits, Bend Fire also works closely with Bend Police. No matter what they call, Bend Police will usually arrive first and make sure the scene is safe. At the end of the day, Bend Fire prioritizes the safety of its firefighters above all else.

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Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Lightning from one of several thunderstorms rumbling through Central Oregon Tuesday apparently sparked a brush fire that burned about 10 acres in northeast Redmond before crews stopped it.

The fire was reported around 5 p.m. south of NE Upas Avenue and 37th Street, Redmond Fire and Rescue said. Watch Duty said the Upas Fire was burning in light fuels and juniper, moving to the south.

Forward progress was stopped in about an hour by crews from Redmond Fire, the BLM and Oregon Department of Forestry.

But Redmond Fire Marshal Tom Mooney told KTVZ News gusty outflow winds of 30-40 mph from one of the storms were testing the lines as more fires were tackled..

The storms also brought rain in places but sparked several fires that were caught at small size by firefighters across the area through the afternoon.

We will keep tracking the fires and keep you posted in our Fire Alert coverage.

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Central Oregon Health Council is pleased to introduce a bold new campaign — Be Well Central Oregon — to mark the launch of the 2025–2029 Regional Health Improvement Plan. This initiative represents a transformative shift in how partners work together to build a healthier, more connected region. 

“Be Well Central Oregon is more than a slogan — it’s a community call to action,” said Arianne Powell, executive director for COHC. “We’re focusing on what unites us: shared goals, strong partnerships, and the health and well-being of every person in Central Oregon.” 

About the new direction 

For over a decade, COHC has led RHIP implementation by organizing monthly workgroups and distributing project funding. With the launch of Be Well Central Oregon, COHC transitions into a connector, convener and amplifier role—aligning community efforts rather than directing them. 

The new model aims to: 

Facilitate partnerships across sectors and communities 

Match organizations with shared goals to build synergy and enhance collaboration 

Offer partial funding for aligned initiatives 

Share data, tools and learnings to inform action 

Adapt to the community’s evolving needs 

This evolution builds on lessons learned and emphasizes sustainability through shared ownership, equity and transparency. 

Take action: Complete the RFI survey 

COHC invites all partners (current and future) to participate in a new Request for Information (RFI) survey, a key tool in mapping and aligning regional health efforts. 

Click here to complete the RFI survey 

Why community response matters: 

To showcase partner work and impact 

To uncover new collaboration opportunities 

To inform funding and resource alignment 

To shape the direction of the RHIP  

“The RFI will help us map the RHIP ecosystem and lift up the incredible work already underway,” said Gwen Jones, COHC’s director of community strategy. “We encourage every organization working on community health to participate—it’s about making partner impact visible and helping us shape a stronger, more aligned regional effort.” 

Tools to support community work 

The RHIP—and the Regional Health Assessment (RHA), that guides the RHIP’s creation—can be complex. As part of Be Well Central Oregon, COHC is developing resources to simplify and humanize the RHIP and the RHA. These include: 

User-friendly tools to explore RHIP goals 

Visual storytelling that highlights your work’s impact 

Customizable materials to communicate alignment and inspire collaboration 

These resources are designed specifically for Central Oregon partners—to help them tell their story and connect their work to regional initiatives. 

Be Well, Together 

COHC believes this new approach will strengthen the fabric of community health by supporting what’s already working, filling critical gaps, and weaving together diverse efforts under a common vision. 

Whether partners are new to the RHIP or have been involved for years, Be Well Central Oregon is an invitation to connect, contribute and thrive as a community. 

“This transformation is a long-term strategic shift toward more collaborative, resilient systems for improving health outcomes in Central Oregon,” said Jones. “COHC remains committed to equity, transparency, and the power of local partnerships to shape a healthier future—together.” 

For questions or to explore how your work connects with the RHIP, please contact camille.smith@cohealthcouncil.org. 

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KTVZ

(Update: Adding video, Redmond City Council adopts post-holiday fireworks ban)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – After hearing comments from many in the community, Redmond city councilors on Tuesday approved to ban the personal use of fireworks starting just after this year’s Fourth of July holiday, citing increasing wildfire risks driven by current weather conditions across Central Oregon.

The ban will remain in place for the rest of the fire season.

City councilors voted at the special emergency meeting to approve a first and second reading and adoption of the revised ordinance, which also makes the use of illegal fireworks a code violation that carries a potential $1,500 fine.

The city officials also made clear that fireworks enforcement is not a top police priority on the holiday, as officers can be very busy with DUII enforcement.

After the vote, Mayor Ed Fitch thanked everyone for their input and said the move is “kind of a balancing act” between the fundraising efforts of nonprofits from the sale of legal fireworks to the “deep concern” across the community about reducing fire danger, however possible.

The ban goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, July 5, meaning residents will still be allowed to use fireworks leading up to and during Independence Day.

City officials said the discussion comes as the region faces very high fire danger, with dry vegetation and hot, windy conditions elevating the risk of wildfires.

—

City of Redmond news release:

Redmond City Approves Emergency Firework Ban Effective July 5 

REDMOND, OREGON –On Tuesday, July 1, Redmond City Council unanimously approved an emergency declaration, banning the personal use of all fireworks effective 12:01 a.m. July 5, 2025, due to high fire risk in Redmond and across Central Oregon. The declaration, which allows the city to efficiently mobilize resources to respond to public needs during an emergency, will remain in effect until Redmond Fire & Rescue officially lifts its outdoor burn ban later this fall.  

“We tried to balance the safety of the community with the investment people have already made to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday,” states Mayor Ed Fitch. “We have had several fires just in the past week, and yesterday’s wildfire in the Dry Canyon, which was ignited by fireworks, dictated the need for Council to take action.” 

Additionally, the declaration bans the use (but not sale) of all fireworks within the city limits. The public fireworks show at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center will go on as planned. Use of illegal fireworks continues to be prohibited at all times.  

“Redmond got lucky on June 3, the Euston wildfire could have been devastating if not for the number of crews and air resources available to respond,” Redmond Fire & Rescue Chief Ryan Herrera added.  “The fire danger in our community is undeniably high this summer, and with the growing abundance of dry vegetation which ignites easily and spreads rapidly, residents need to take extra preventive measures.” 

The City is asking for the community’s support in keeping Redmond safe, reserving personal fireworks for another holiday when conditions are less dangerous.  Under the emergency declaration, use of any fireworks after July 4 will be a Class A infraction and carries a penalty of a fine up to $500 for each infraction. The use of illegal fireworks brings a fine of $1,500 for the first offense, with additional fines up to the state allowed maximum of $6,250. 

Please do not call 911 to report fireworks use. It is very important the 911 system be kept for reporting emergencies, active fires, and serious medical problems.  Firework concerns may be reported via email to reportfireworks@redmondoregon.gov. 

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Emergency Ord. 2025-13 v5Download

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