Embrace Bend

07/28/2026

***OFFICIAL CTWS DONATION ACCOUNT***The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon (CTWS) sincerely appreciates the generosity and support…

07/28/2026

07/23/2026

A firefighter stands beneath towering flames as the Box Springs fire burns through the forest north of Prineville on July 21, 2026. The dramatic image was taken by an Oregon Department of Forestry employee.

The Box Springs and Brewer fires, both sparked by lightning, have burned more than 45,000 acres in Central Oregon. The Brewer fire is burning just 8 miles north of Prineville.

Now, more thunderstorms could make a dangerous situation worse. A red flag warning remains in effect until 11 p.m. Wednesday as abundant lightning threatens to ignite new fires and gusty outflow winds could cause them to spread quickly.

Read the latest on the fires, evacuations, closures and smoke across Central Oregon. https://www.oregonlive.com/wildfires/2026/07/nearly-45000-acres-burn-north-of-prineville-as-thunderstorms-threaten.html

Stay up to date on the fires by following Brewer Fire Fire Protection Service on Facebook.

--Reporting by Mark Graves, The Oregonian/OregonLive

07/22/2026

Energize Bend is launching a community input survey! Scan this QR code or follow the link in our bio to contribute your voice in decision making for Bend’s use of the Climate Pollution Fee funds!

For some more context… The City passed the Climate Pollution Fee in June 2026, this is a one time fee charged to the builders of some new residential construction. The fee amount is based on the ‘social cost of carbon’ or, more simply, the pollutants from each gas powered appliance. This will incentive builders to use electric appliances — more affordable for the residents in the long run, fewer air pollutants inside the home, and a lower level of fossil fuel production than the non-renewable natural gas powered appliances. Our friends in the affordable housing industry, and climate and housing advocates have been building electric for years, understanding it is more ethical for the planet and for people! Time to make it the status quo!

While more electric should be used, the city still estimates a steady income from the Climate Pollution Fee and those funds will be going back to community projects! But in order to thoughtfully fund projects, the city wants to know what YOU ALL, the residents of Bend, want to see for your homes, neighborhoods, and growing city.

Take this 5-10 minute survey to share your experience in Bend and your values on how Bend’s future should be shaped.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_QoB8wFhFR0qvTFXUbDtOoF0Ar3Fz81czd3ocPOs4C73vpQ/viewform

07/22/2026

We need your feedback on where the revenue from the climate fee should go. Please provide your input here:

Your experiences shared below — whether you struggle with high energy bills, wildfire smoke, keeping your home comfortable, or something else entirely — will help identify the biggest challenges people in Bend are facing. As a coalition between businesses, non-profits, and city departments, Ener...

07/15/2026

Research OUR RESEARCH coming fall 2026Policy, power & possibilitiesA Ten-Year Gender Justice Update for Oregon The Women’s Foundation of Oregon works toward a future of gender justice, where gender does not limit a person in any way. The 2017 Count Her In: A Report About Women and Girls in Oregon ...

07/15/2026