On November 6 at 10am, Mayor Melanie Kebler, state and local leaders, fire officials and climate advocates will gather for a round table press event to discuss the growing danger of wildfires and related flooding in Central Oregon and the urgent need for stronger mitigation and prevention measures.
As the 2025 wildfire season ends, leaders are calling for immediate federal and state action to reduce fire risk before the next season begins. The Flat Fire near Sisters — along with other recent wildfires in the region — illustrates the escalating danger to Oregon’s forests, homes, and communities as longer fire seasons and extreme weather intensify. With climate change adding to the frequency and strength of wildfires and related flooding, the issue is becoming an increasing threat to Deschutes County and areas across the state and nation. Speakers will highlight how federal funding cuts to the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management are hampering efforts to prevent and fight fires, and how proposals to roll back key federal climate policies, such as the EPA’s Endangerment Finding, would worsen wildfire risk by accelerating climate change.
Who:
- Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler
- State Senator Anthony Broadman (District 27)
- Redmond City Councilor Kathryn Osborne
- Ben Gordon, Central Oregon LandWatch Executive Director
- Bob Madden, Former Operations Chief Bend Fire & Rescue
- Gavin Coble, Office of Senator Jeff Merkley
When:
Thursday, November 6
10am PST
Where:
Embark Event Space
Collective Room
2843 NW Lolo Drive
Bend, OR 97703
