News

The 4,378-acre Boundary Road Fuels Reduction Project is located west of La Pine on the Deschutes National Forest north and south of Burgess Road. The project borders the Ponderosa Pines and Day Road area communities. Click here for the project map. Click here for more information.

The Boundary Road Fuels Reduction Project will enhance forest resilience to insect and disease while reducing the wildfire risk the adjacent communities through the actions, including:

• Commercial Timber Harvest / Small Diameter Thinning
• Mowing & Mastication
• Pile Burning
• Prescribed Burning
• Shaded Fuel Breaks

The 2026 Spring Defensible Space Reimbursement Program is closed for new applications because funds are fully allocated. Applications for the 2026 Fall Defensible Space Program will be accepted beginning August 1, 2026.… Read more

The UDRC will help property owners within the La Pine Rural Fire Protection District with the cost of creating or maintaining defensible space for wildfire risk reduction. The UDRC will reimburse your expenses for licensed contractors, rental equipment, and home hardening materials up to $500 maximum. One application from a sole or joint property owner will be accepted beginning April 1, 2026 for work completed by July 31, 2026.

Applicants for the Reimbursement Program may not apply for the Low-income Senior program in the same year. The UDRC will not reimburse work completed before your application is approved. Your work plan must include examples of … Read more

Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 3-4:30 pm.
Location: Sunriver SHARC, 57250 Overlook Road, Sunriver

Wildfire seasons are getting longer, hotter, and more unpredictable, making preparedness more important than ever. Join us for an informative, easy-to-understand free class that walks homeowners through practical steps to reduce fire risk and protect what matters most. We’ll cover defensible space basics, home-hardening improvements, evacuation planning, and what your home insurance actually covers during a wildfire event. Presented by Cheri Martinen from Bancorp Insurance. Click here to register for the class.… Read more

Deschutes National Forest firefighters plan to start spring understory prescribed burning season as early as March 15 if conditions become favorable. Prescribed burns are slated for the following general areas:

La Pine – three miles northeast of La Pine adjacent to McKay Crossing Campground; one mile east of La Pine near Finley Butte; 30 miles southeast of La Pine near Quartz Mountain; south of Highway 31 approximately 12 miles southeast of La Pine

Sunriver – two miles northeast of Sunriver on the east and west side of Highway 97 near Lava Butte; east side of Highway 97 near the South … Read more

Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
Location: SHARC, 57250 Overlook Road, Sunriver, OR
12:00 – 1:00 pm: LA Post-Fire Research, presented by Evan Sluder, Research Scientist, Insurance Inst. for Business and Home Safety
1:15 – 2:30 pm: PWNC Meeting… Read more

Knott Landfill, 61050 SE 27th St, Bend OR:
May 15 – May 24, 7 am – 4:30 pm
SW Transfer Station, 54580 Hwy 97, La Pine OR:
June 5 – 6, June 8 – 13, 8 am – 4 pm… Read more

Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: La Pine High School, 51622 Coach Road, La Pine, OR

Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Location: SHARC, 57250 Overlook Road, Sunriver, OR

The fair is free to attend and will feature giveaways, presentations and tables with important safety information.… Read more

The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners has approved new building standards for unincorporated areas of the county to address the growing threat of wildfires. The regulations, taking effect April 1, require all new homes and accessory structures to be built with fire resistant material. Click here for more information.… Read more

In this episode of Inside Deschutes County, Ben Duda, Emergency Manager with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, explains how the County prepares for winter storms, wildfires and other large-scale incidents.… Read more