Category: ktvz-local-news

Tracee Tuesday

(Update: Statement regarding Police Chief Tim Plummer’s exit from the Madras Police Department)

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Madras City Council voted 4-0-1 Wednesday night to fire Police Chief Timothy Plummer. Joined with Plummer’s sharp public criticism of City Administrator Will Ibershof, who recommended his dismissal, the Madras City Council meeting was heated.

Here is the new statement from the City of Madras regarding Police Chief Tim Plummer’s exit and the appointment of Paul Garrison as interim police chief:

During the Council meeting, Ibershof claimed the Police Department was “lacking a strong leader” and said the City’s Human Resources Director was concerned that Plummer was “not holding his folks accountable,” resulting in dropped criminal charges.

Plummer was given 10 minutes to address the council and provided a document that he summarized.

He claimed his impending termination “constitutes retaliation against me for protected activities,” including a complaint he filed with the City on behalf of his Chief of Staff.

The Police Chief, hired for the position two years ago, said he believes he has been targeted by “a coordinated and targeted pattern of retaliatory conduct: that violates city policy, and applicable labor and discrimination laws.”

Plummer said an annual performance evaluation only had involved the previous three months and “looks more like a scoring blueprint for hiring somebody.”

The chief also said, “I usually don’t like to air dirty laundry,” but that “I’ve had concerns about the City Administrator and how he’s doing and acting.”

Plummer referred to a department head meeting, and Ibershof’s struggle to collect his thoughts to lead the session.

KTVZ News will continue to follow this story in Madras.

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Triton Notary

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ)– Despite the size of the Cram fire the Red Cross tells KTVZ news no one has used their shelter in Madras for the last 2 days. Even though the shelter was empty outside of the volunteers, representatives from the Red Cross tell us they’re eager to help anyone who shows up. 

Morgan Schmidt, from Red Cross told KTVZ news “We’re here and we’re here to help for as long as help might be needed. The Red Cross is here to offer shelter to anybody who has been impacted by the fire, as well as their pets. We always want to make sure people know they can shelter with us even if they have animals.”

Besides shelter, the Red Cross offers meals, water, and comfort in this blistering heat. The Red Cross shelter for those affected by the Cram Fire is located at the Jefferson County Middle School.

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John Carroll

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — This week, our gardens highlight several different ways you can express yourself through your garden. A garden filled with a variety of plants and flowers in the La Pine area that has thrived even with the harsh heat this summer. A cool pond and stream combo nicknamed “Tranquility” and an old-fashioned hand-crank water pump is the centerpiece for another lovely display.

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Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Fire has contained a fire that broke out at 2:35 PM in north Bend off Highway 97, near the homeless encampment known as “Dirt World.” According to Pulse Point, the fire appears to have been started from a vehicle.

Dan Derklacki with Bend Fire told our reporter on the scene that the blaze quickly started other fires, which his crews were able to quickly put out. The exact cause is being investigated.

KTVZ News captured firefighters putting out what appears to be a vehicle or RV, burned to its studs. The video shows that the fire was in the ‘Dirt World’ fire encampment, known officially as Juniper Ridge.

A viewer sent KTVZ News shocking images just minutes after the blaze started, which show dark, thick, black smoke pouring into the sky.

The size of Dirt World has grown in size over the past few months, as federal officials shut down camps on China Hat Road and other public land.

KTVZ News has reported on many fires at the homeless encampment, which have neighbors and officials concerned.

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Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Highland Fire burning in the Juniper Canyon area southeast of Prineville is now 75% contained and remains at 719 acres, officials said Thursday.

Here’s what apparently will be the last daily update from officials on the fire that broke out in the Juniper Canyon area Saturday afternoon:

Yesterday, task force structure crews and federal wildland crews continued mop-up operations and the reinforcement of existing lines to enhance containment efforts. 

The weather today will be warmer and drier, with temperatures around 90 degrees and minimum humidity at 13%-18%. 

Today, crews will continue mop-up operations and containment efforts of the fire perimeter. With the expected hotter and drier weather, there is a chance of smoke or trees torching inside the fire perimeter. 

Report related concerns to Crook County’s 24-hour non-emergency line (541) 447-4168. 

Please only call 9-1-1 if this activity occurs outside of the fire perimeter or if a structure is threatened. 

All evacuation levels have been reduced to a level 1 or 2 and are expected to remain at these levels for the next day or two. 

Fire personnel continue to work inside and around the fire perimeter. Please reduce speeds while driving in work areas and be aware of heavy machinery and crews along roadways. 

As of 6:00 am this morning, the Oregon Department of State Fire Marshal Blue Team departed for their home units and management of the fire remains under the single command of the Central Oregon Type 3 Incident Management Team through tonight.

Command of the fire will transition back to Crook County Fire & Rescue and an Oregon Department of Forestry Type 4 Incident Commander tomorrow morning. 

This will be the last daily update for the Highland Fire unless significant changes occur. Future updates will continue to be posted on the Crook County Fire & Rescue Facebook page.

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Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Right now, smoke and air quality concerns are top of mind for many Central Oregonians. It’s important to remember to limit your time outdoors and think about your furry friends.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, pets with cardiovascular or respiratory disease are especially at risk.

Here are a few signs to watch out for, according to the AVMA:

-Coughing

-Difficulty breathing

-Eye irritation or excessive watering

-Disorientation

-Reduced appetite or thirst

Here are some tips to protect your pets:

-Keep pets indoors as much as possible

-Keep your windows closed

-Avoid intense outdoor exercise

-Keep bathroom breaks outdoors short

 Here are some tips to protect your livestock:

-Provide plenty of fresh water near feeding areas

-Limit exercise

-Plan to give livestock 4 to 6 weeks to recuperate after the air quality returns to normal

Click here to learn more.

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Barney Lerten

Declaration allows responders to use all necessary and appropriate resources of the state to support wildfire response. 

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek declared a State of Emergency on Wednesday due to the imminent threat of wildfire in an executive order that extends through the rest of the calendar year.

“Oregon is already experiencing a devastating wildfire season that will have lasting consequences. The summer is only getting hotter, drier, and more dangerous – we have to be prepared for worsening conditions,” Governor Kotek said.

“I am declaring a State of Emergency to access state resources for communities across Oregon as we respond to this year’s escalating wildfire season. All Oregonians should follow local instructions and evacuation levels issued by emergency officials, subscribe to emergency alerts on ORAlert.gov, have an evacuation plan, prepare a go-kit, and stay aware of changing conditions.”

A link to Executive Order 25-16 can be found here.

Following ORS 401.165 et seq., Governor Kotek determined that Oregon is in a critical fire danger situation, threatening life, safety, and property because of extreme high temperatures. The state has already experienced wildfires this season resulting in six state conflagration declarations and two federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) declarations, several community evacuations, threatened and damaged structures, and critical infrastructure.

Oregon’s neighboring states of California, Idaho, and Washington continue to experience similar fires and weather. The extended weather forecast for Oregon predicts ongoing warm and dry conditions, creating an imminent fire threat across a large portion of the state.

This declaration directs Oregon state agencies to support access to and use of personnel and equipment of all state agencies, including the deployment of the National Guard, necessary to assess, alleviate, respond to, lessen, or recover from conditions caused by this emergency and to meet requests by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), the Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), and/or county and sovereign tribal nation emergency management to support response needs to respond to or lessen the effects of, the wildfire emergency as described in the state’s Emergency Operations Plan.

Those who believe they have been charged excessively high prices for essential consumer goods during this emergency are encouraged to report violations to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection Services, which has the authority to investigate unlawful trade practices.

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Jillian Fortner

(update: adding comments from CORE3, Deschutes County Commissioners)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon Legislature has approved $10 million to help advance the long-planned CORE3 training and response center in Redmond.

The project aims to build an emergency coordination hub and public safety training campus next to the Redmond Airport.

CORE3 is currently in Phase 1, and with the new funding, construction can begin on roads, access points, and other critical infrastructure.

So far, the project has secured $22 million in state and federal funding.

The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners also contributed 300 acres of land, valued at around $13 million.

 “Right now, it is really just rocks and juniper. It’s the location of the old (Redmond) Rod and Gun Club,” said county Commissioner Tony DeBone.

The center will provide support for local and state emergencies, including wildfires, earthquakes, floods and pandemics.

“Wildfires are not going away. We see it now and it’s predicted into the future to occur,” said Shelby Knight, a resilience planner with the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council. “I’ll say, at the state level, we’re really talking about the Cascadia Subduction Zone event or a major statewide disaster.”

The Cascadia Subduction Zone poses one of the greatest natural disaster risks in the Pacific Northwest, with the potential to trigger a massive earthquake and tsunami.

Central Oregon is considered a secure and strategic location to coordinate emergency response if the state’s coastal areas and the western valleys are impacted.

DeBone said, “Since we’re out of that perimeter of a Cascadia event, this is kind of like the beginning of a support system. What would happen right here? Redmond Airport could be brought in, federal resources to the airport real fast. The fairgrounds is available for mass care for people. A lot of people need to be somewhere? Put them at the fairgrounds.”

The project is still short about $15 million to fully meet its $50 million funding target.

Knight said, “We’re also continuing to explore a variety of other funding sources and opportunities to build the facility.”

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Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. [KTVZ] — Where there’s smoke, there’s probably fire! In fact, Central Oregon has one of the most intense wildfire seasons, and it’s not just about dealing with fire, it’s about dealing with smoke. 

How much does the smoke affect our skin and our bodies? Medical spa, EsthetixMD, has some answers. 

“The smoke can be a big stressor when it comes to skin. It can create inflammation. It can create dryness, dehydration. And if you have any preexisting conditions, it can definitely make them flare up,” said Clinical Manager and Registered Nurse, Cri Tillia.  

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, smoke also contains carbon monoxide, a gas that blocks oxygen delivery and can lead to headaches, dizziness, nausea and even unconsciousness. How can you protect your body? Your skin? 

“Protect your skin with a nice barrier, moisturizer. Use your sunscreen. Even though you don’t see the sun, it’s actually getting to your skin as well. Wash your skin right after being outside. Don’t over wash, because your skin actually has a nice barrier. You don’t want to remove that barrier, but cleanse that smoke,” said Tillia.  

One of the other issues to contend with is your HVAC system. How do you get the best out of it during days when you have to ingest and smell heavy smoke? 

“It’s important that, if you do have a fresh air intake on your system, and what that does is it brings in fresh air to kind of a mix with your HVAC, that fresh air intake should be turned off And then, it’s really just making sure that you’ve got a nice fresh air filter in there,” said Severson Plumbing Heating AC’s Service Manager, Derek Hickey. 

It’s clear, haze can harm more than just visibility, but Central Oregonians, like Prineville resident Mariah Jordan says, by now they’re used to the smoke. 

“It’s kind of expected every summer. It’s nothing out of the ordinary.” 

The Red Cross says, one of the most important things that we can do to keep ourselves safe is: 

Invest in an N95 mask or a mask that filters at least 95% of airborne particles 

 Stay indoors, away from wildfire smoke especially if you have a pre-existing condition 

Stay hydrated 

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Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The High Desert Food and Farm Alliance was recently selected through a competitive grant process to receive funding from Travel Oregon. Travel Oregon awarded nearly $6.2 million in grants to 65 organizations across the state, including $120,385 to the High Desert Food and Farm Alliance. 

HDFFA said Tuesday it will use this funding for a broad “Taste Central Oregon” campaign, educating visitors and residents about the importance of supporting Central Oregon farmers and ranchers by buying and dining locally, and how and where to find local food.

HDFFA also received funding from Republic Services to support the Grow and Give program. Grow and Give is a 10-year-running HDFFA program that reduces food waste, provides fresh produce for people in Central Oregon experiencing food insecurity, and supports local farmers.

The program works by collecting excess produce and delivering it to partners like NeighborImpact, Family Kitchen, and others, and then reimbursing farming partners for their excess produce, supporting local growers by providing additional income. With the Republic Services’ partnership, this program can continue creating a more resilient local food system. 

A grant from The Environmental Center’s Innovation Fund will further enhance HDFFA’s work to reduce food waste by funding a new “Perfectly Imperfect Produce” program that will kick off with delicious food sampling at HDFFA’s Northwest Crossing Farmers Market booth this summer. 

“We’re thrilled to receive support from these wonderful organizations,” said HDFFA Executive Director Sharon Maier-Kennelly. “With this funding, we can continue and expand our work in sharing the importance of local food, reducing food waste and building a resilient food system for Central Oregonians.”

HDFFA is a 501(c)3 non-profit serving Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson Counties as well as the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. HDFFA’s mission is to support a healthy and thriving food & farm network through education, collaboration, and inclusion. For more info visit hdffa.org

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