Category: ktvz-local-news

Harley Coldiron

(Update: adding information from Fire Marshal Tom Mooney about the cause and property damage.)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A failed power transformer along Highway 97 was the cause of a vegetation fire that broke out Monday afternoon on SW 1st Street in Redmond, according to Fire Marshal Tom Mooney.

Multiple fire crews responded to the blaze, which has been contained to approximately one-quarter of an acre with no property damage.

According to the app Pulse Point, the fire’s forward progression had been stopped by 3:45 p.m. The small but intense flames threw up large plumes of smoke that were visible from Highway 97.

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Harley Coldiron

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon is going to be a tinderbox this wildfire season. With counties across the state already declaring drought emergencies, we are heading into what will be one of the driest seasons in more than a decade. As a result, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is asking you to get ready now: 

Pack your go-bags 

Know your evacuation routes – have a plan 

Sign up for emergency alerts 

Be prepared if cell service goes down 

Know the evacuation levels 

Make sure you have enough wildfire insurance – have a recovery plan 

Pack Your Go-bags 

A go-bag contains essential items you may need to take with you in a hurry. Each household member (human and animal) should have an easy-to-carry emergency bag:  

In an easy-to-pack tote: 

Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation) 

Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation) 

In individual backpacks: 

Large bottle of water 

Non-perishable snacks or meals ready to eat (MREs) 

7-day supply of medications (if possible) 

A basic first aid kit

Flashlight (hand-cranked or with extra batteries)  

Back-up power cell (for charging your phone and electronics) 

Extra charging cables 

Battery-powered or hand-crank radio(NOAA Weather Radio, if possible) 

Extra clothing and personal items 

Digital or printed copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, etc.) 

Multi-purpose tool 

Sanitation and personal hygiene items 

Printed copy of family and emergency contact information 

If possible, extra cash 

Emergency blanket

Printed map(s) of the area (make sure everyone knows how to read them) 

Know Your Evacuation Routes – Have a Plan 

Create an evacuation plan and make sure everyone in the family knows what it is. Visit OEM’s Be2WeeksReady page to find tips on how to prepare for evacuation or shelter in place. OEM also offers a wildfire evacuation checklist at wildfire.oregon.gov/prepare. 

Your plan should include: 

A list of emergency contacts (printed and in every go-bag) 

A safe meeting place in case family members get separated 

Multiple evacuation routes from home, work, or school can help with this, but everyone should also know how to read a paper map and how to get to safety. 

Transportation arrangements, including pets and livestock. 

A discussion with loved ones, friends and neighbors to ensure everyone understands the plan. 

Individuals with disabilities should plan ahead for transportation, equipment and service animal needs. Visit the Red Cross for tailored resources. If you have special medical needs, make sheltering arrangements at a place that can accommodate your needs, because not all standard shelters can. 

For pet and livestock evacuation planning, visit Ready.gov/pets. Prepare a pet emergency kit with essentials like food, water, medications, identification and medical records. Livestock owners should arrange transportation and shelter options in advance—resources are available at the Oregon Department of Agriculture. 

Sign up for Emergency Alerts   

Visit ORAlert.gov to sign up to receive alerts based on your zip code. If you’re already registered, take a moment to log in and update your contact information. Also, check your phone settings to ensure wireless emergency alerts are enabled. 

Know where to find local emergency information, such as your county’s emergency management website and TripCheck.com. Follow local emergency services on social media, including the sheriff’s office, fire agencies and city or county pages. 

Be Prepared If Cell Service Goes Down  

Have a backup plan for how you will communicate if cell towers burn in your area. Developing a family PACE plan (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) is key to staying connected during a disaster. Many cell providers offer a Starlink add-on for a nominal fee, which allows your cell phone to access the internet and make web-based phone calls and texts, or send Facebook and WhatsApp messages, even if you can’t connect to a cell tower.   

An example of a PACE plan for individuals: 

Primary: Cell Phones 

Alternate: Starlink service on your cell phone. 

Contingency: Satellite communicators, separate from the satellite function on your phone (which prioritizes first-responder traffic) 

Emergency: Short-range communication radios for talking to family, and a hand-cranked NOAA weather radio to receive alerts. 

Know the Evacuation Levels in Oregon 

Oregon uses a three-level evacuation system to keep residents informed and safe. Be familiar with “Be Ready, Be Set, Go Now!” notifications: 

Level One – BE READY (Green): Stay aware of the wildfire threat and get prepared. Pack your go-kit, check emergency contacts, and ensure those in vulnerable situations (older adults, children, individuals with disabilities, and livestock owners) are ready to evacuate if needed. 

Level Two – BE SET (Yellow): Be prepared to leave at any moment. This indicates significant wildfire danger. Voluntary evacuation is encouraged—especially for those needing extra time to relocate safely. 

Level Three – GO NOW! (Red): Evacuate immediately! This means extreme danger is present, and it is unsafe to remain in place. Emergency responders may not be able to assist further. Leave immediately without gathering belongings and check TripCheck.com or call 511 for evacuation routes. 

After evacuating, do not return until officials declare it safe. You can find additional wildfire preparedness resources at wildfire.oregon.gov. 

Make Sure You’re Insured – Have a Recovery Plan 

Finally, whether you rent or own, now is the time to make sure you have wildfire insurance and enough coverage to replace your house. If the worst happens, you will need to rely on insurance, savings, loans and donations to replace what was lost. Have a plan for how you will recover. Your standard renter’s or homeowners’ policy doesn’t cover floods, landslides or wildfires. Talk to your agent to make sure you have the right kind and amount of insurance. 

Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety – Wildfire Ready

Division of Financial Regulation – Wildfires Insurance Resources

Filing a homeowner’s claim after a fire(English) 

Filing a homeowner’s claim after a fire(Spanish) 

Division of Financial Regulation – Wildfires Messaging Toolkit

Additional Wildfire Preparedness Resources 

OEM’s Wildfire Alert Graphics

OEM’s Evacuation Level Graphics

How to Talk About Wildfires

Prevent Wildfires

Stay Safe While Driving During Smoky Conditions

Vehicles can cause wildfires, so make sure yours doesn’t 

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Claire Elmer

(update: adding comments from Bend Fire, Red Cross)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A string of residential fires across Central Oregon this month is serving as a reminder for residents to check for hazards inside and outside their homes — and to make sure their families know what to do if a fire breaks out.

In Bend, a historic mill house was left uninhabitable. Another fire in a garage caused more than half a million dollars in damage. Two northeast Bend homes were damaged or destroyed. And in Tumalo, a house was completely taken down by flames.

No two fires were exactly the same, but Bend Fire & Rescue Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said the conditions surrounding them are worth paying attention to.

“We’re months ahead of schedule when it comes to how dry we are,” Derlacki said. “We’re seeing heavy winds. So looking at all those possibilities outside the house as much as inside your house and trying to prevent them.”

Derlacki said some fire risks can come from common household or home improvement items, including hot tools, dry mulch, and materials used for home improvement projects. And small warnings inside your home matter, especially when it comes to electrical.

“We’re getting in the season where everyone’s starting to fix up decks and fences and stuff like that,” Derlacki said. “Have a fire extinguisher over there, have the hose ready just in case. Anything that’s mechanically or electrically going wrong, get it fixed. Don’t wait. Get it fixed.”

When a fire does force people out of their homes, the American Red Cross can be contacted by fire departments or directly by those impacted.

“No one expects a home fire,” said Isabel Anderson, communications manager for the Red Cross Cascades Region. “And it’s actually the number one disaster that we respond to at the Red Cross.”

Anderson said Red Cross responders first work to make sure people’s basic needs are met, including food, water, and a safe place to stay for the night. But support can also go beyond temporary lodging or supplies.

“Probably the worst day in your life, experiencing a home fire like this. It can be really devastating,” Anderson said. “Our responders are trained in psychological first aid. We have partners who can help your pets as well.”

Both Bend Fire & Rescue and the Red Cross say now is the time to make sure smoke alarms are working and everyone in the home knows how to get out.

“Check your smoke alarms,” Anderson said.

“Make sure everyone knows what the noise means,” Derlacki said. “You know how to get out of your home. That’s the biggest thing with house fires is just be able to get out.”

While residents cannot always predict when a fire will happen, officials say prevention and preparation can help lead to the best possible outcome.

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Kelsey Merison

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTVZ) — Cadets with the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) from Mountain View High School, La Pine, and Crook County are in Washington, D.C., and marched in the 250th Memorial Day Parade today.

They also attended the National Memorial Day Concert on the West Lawn of the Capitol Building.

The program provides leadership education designed to develop and inform citizens on the Navy’s core values of honor, courage, and commitment.

Mountain View High School was not funded by NJROTC at the time of the trip’s planning, so they had to collect all of their funds via fundraising events throughout the school year to be able to go.

Thanks for representing Central Oregon on this very important day!

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Tracee Tuesday

JEFFERSON COUNTY (KTVZ) — A 6-year-old child died on May 23, 2026, after being struck by a vehicle towing a travel trailer near Link Creek Campground at Suttle Lake. The child was transported via air ambulance to St. Charles Bend, where they were later pronounced deceased. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is leading the response to the incident.

Emergency services were alerted at approximately 1:52 p.m. regarding a medical emergency involving a child unconscious and not breathing after being struck. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated fully with authorities. Investigators have found no indication of impairment or criminal behavior in connection with the incident.

Family members and nearby campers immediately initiated life-saving efforts after the incident. Adults from nearby campsites assisted in providing aid while family members transported the child to a designated landing zone for the air ambulance. Deputies arrived at the intersection of Highway 20 and Suttle Lake Road at approximately 2:30 p.m., where the child was transferred to an air ambulance for transport to St. Charles Bend. A Five-year-old child witness, who was with the 6-year-old, provided information about the events leading up to the incident.

According to the child witness, the two children had run from the lakeshore area to their campsite to retrieve a stuffed animal. They were returning toward the lake area when the incident occurred. The child witness stated she stopped when she observed a vehicle towing a travel trailer approaching. Based on the investigation, authorities believe the 6-year-old child unknowingly entered the area between the tow vehicle and travel trailer combination, resulting in contact with the trailer. Witnesses reported that the vehicle and trailer were moving at an extremely slow speed at the time. Information gathered indicates the children approached from the right rear area of the tow vehicle and trailer combination. Investigators believe this area may have limited the driver’s visibility, contributing to the driver not realizing an impact had occurred. The driver, a man from the Portland area, cooperated with responders.

Responding agencies, including the Oregon State Police, Black Butte Police Department, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District, documented the scene and assisted medical personnel. Deputies remained with the child’s family, who are from the Redmond area, providing support alongside hospital chaplains and Oregon State Police personnel. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office extends condolences to the family and those affected by the tragedy and will not release identifying information regarding the child or relatives, out of respect for the family’s privacy.

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Claire Elmer

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Mill 3 Fire, burning in the northwest region of Jefferson County near Warm Springs, was first reported on May 23, 2026, at 6:42 p.m. The single update from Watch Duty notes the size at six acres with the cause of the blaze currently undetermined.

Additional incident details from the Western Fire Chiefs, IRWIN, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) indicate the Mill 3 Fire has grown 14 acres, reaching 20 acres. The last update was at May 24, 2026 at 1:42 a.m. PDT.

The containment status for the Mill 3 Fire is currently not provided. KTVZ News will continue following this fire and will keep you updated with any additional information.

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Claire Elmer

(update: adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend is once again a top Memorial Day weekend destination. This year, as travel, gas, and food costs rise, people are looking for ways to enjoy the weekend without overspending.

For many people in Central Oregon, the plan is simple: get outside.

According to AAA, about 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles during the holiday weekend, and Bend is among the top regional destinations. But this year’s long weekend is coming with higher costs for many families.

The Century Foundation found Memorial Day staples are up 13% on average from last year, with some summer barbecue favorites — including corn, tomatoes, and pies — jumping 20% to 100%. Gas is also part of the equation, with Oregon prices sitting around $5.20 a gallon as of Sunday.

For locals and visitors, Central Oregon’s outdoor recreation can make the weekend feel like a getaway without breaking the bank.

“It’s expensive here, but we budget,” Bend resident Daniel Wallace said. “We went on the Deschutes yesterday, paddle boarded. Today, we’re going to do a little fishing and get in the water.”

Others say places like Central Oregon’s many parks give people a way to connect, even when higher prices make travel harder.

“I’m enjoying this holiday weekend by just having spent a lot of time with my friends and family,” Bend resident Eddie Lopez said. “Sunbathing, tanning with my friends. We’re going to listen to music.”

Rising gas prices can make it harder for people to travel or meet up elsewhere, making prevalent gathering spaces even more important.

“With the gas prices going up, it just affected travel a lot. So it’s really nice to just have a really accessible public environment like Riverbend Park, to just like, be able to enjoy time with my friends or just meet new people here,” Lopez added.

And for some, the best part of a weekend outside is getting to enjoy it with loved ones. But it doesn’t hurt that it doesn’t have to cost much, either.

“I don’t need to spend money to have fun,” Bend resident Bodhi McClain said. “The river is free. Meeting up with your friends is free. All you need is good people.”

Memorial Day weekend is known as the unofficial start of summer, and in Central Oregon, outdoor recreation is once again at the center — reminding locals and visitors why our area is loved by so many.

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Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon residents and travelers are facing significantly higher costs for gas and groceries this Memorial Day, impacting travel plans and household budgets. Gas prices in Oregon have reached a record high, while grocery expenses have seen substantial increases, forcing many to adjust spending.

The average gas price in Oregon has risen from $4.01 last year to $5.32 this year. These increased costs are leading residents to cut back in other areas.

Roberta Watson, a resident of Sunriver, described the rapid increase in grocery expenses. Watson noted that a cart full of groceries cost $200 one week last year, rising to $300 the following week.

Shane Purcell, a resident of Bend, commented on the overall expense, stating, “It’s ridiculous. Prices are way expensive. Yeah, they come up quite a bit, so it’s pretty difficult. I don’t know how they expect people to live.”

Despite the record-high gas prices, people are still traveling for Memorial Day, though many trips are staying close to home. Marie Dodds, AAA Oregon Director of Government and Public Affairs, reported that 87% of Memorial Day travelers this year are driving to their destinations.

“I think most Memorial Day trips are going to be fairly close to home,” Dodds said. “And in fact, 87% of Memorial Day travelers this year are driving to their destination despite high gas prices.”

Even out-of-town visitors like Lona Huck, who traveled to Central Oregon from Yakima for a Memorial Weekend tournament, have felt the financial impact. Huck noted that while the costs are higher, the importance of family events still drives travel decisions.

“We filled up in Yakima. But it is a lot more money. But it’s you’re still going to go. You’re still going to do it because you’re supporting your grandson. But it does hit the pocket books,” Huck said.

One resident, who declined to be identified on camera, reported seeing grocery costs increase by hundreds of dollars over the last year. Residents consistently noted the need to reduce spending elsewhere due to these rising expenses.

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Kelsey Merison

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon Community College’s education program at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution is set to confer its first-ever associate degree awards. Nine students will receive their college degrees at the annual graduation ceremony on Tuesday, June 9th, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The ceremony will take place at the facility located at 3920 E. Ashwood Road in Madras, marking a significant milestone for the recently established program.

The associate degree program began in the spring of 2024, representing a new initiative by COCC. Financial assistance for students in the program is largely provided by federal Pell Grants, following a 2023 legislative change that lifted a 26-year ban on these grants for incarcerated individuals.

When Congress lifted the ban on Pell Grants for incarcerated individuals in 2023, COCC was one of the first institutions in the country to apply for and receive the national grant certification.

Tony Russell, instructional dean at Central Oregon Community College, emphasized the program’s importance. “This program exemplifies COCC’s commitment to educational access and we’re so excited to reach this milestone with our first graduating class,” Russell said.

Under the guidance of COCC biology professor Emma Chaput, the college introduced a fully accredited, cohort-modeled associate degree program. Approximately 30 adults in custody are enrolled in the program during the academic year, out of about 1,100 at Deer Ridge.

COCC instructors travel to the facility to teach subjects that have included biology, history, communication, and human development. The degree awarded is a transfer award, designed to allow students to continue their college studies upon release.

The RAND Corporation conducted a study indicating that recidivism rates for adults in custody who earn an associate degree fall to 13.7%. For those who earn their GED in prison, recidivism rates drop to 50%.

The college provides a range of instructional services at Deer Ridge through a contract established in 2008 with the Oregon Department of Corrections. These educational services include Adult Basic Skills classes and a welding program, anchored by a state-mandated GED prep program.

Welding students will also be awarded certificates at the June 9th commencement ceremony. GED students enrolled in the program will be recognized at a later ceremony.

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Kelsey Merison

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — The annual Art Meets Wine in Sunriver event will return for its eighth year on Saturday, May 30th, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sunriver SHARC. The event, hosted by the Sunriver Women’s Club, serves as a major fundraiser to support nonprofits in south Deschutes County.

The Sunriver Women’s Club uses the event as a cornerstone of its mission to give back to the community. Through its Community Grant Program, the club awarded over $96,000 in 2025.

Art Meets Wine 2025, credit: Sunriver Women’s Club

Guests at the event can visit ten winery tasting stations and observe live art demonstrations. The gathering also features auctions offering items such as getaway experiences in Bend and Hood River, a round of golf at Crosswater Golf Club, and original art pieces.

The event provides an opportunity to celebrate Oregon Wine Month. It allows attendees to explore Oregon’s wine country without leaving Sunriver.

More information and tickets are available at artmeetswine.org.

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