Fatal RV Fire; Fentanyl Bust; Bend Business News From the Editor Happy Friday, Central Oregon! We’re wrapping up the week with a mix of serious local news, community updates and a couple of Bend business notes. In Prineville, investigators say an RV fire that killed one person was accidental, while Bend firefighters quickly contained a separate house fire on NW Fresno Avenue before it could cause even more damage.
Also in today’s Buzz: a CODE investigation led to a fentanyl seizure near Sisters, a young gray wolf from the Indigo Pack made a rare appearance along Cascade Lakes Highway, HomeGoods has filed plans for the former Big Lots space in Bend, and a longtime local flooring company is celebrating 50 years in business. 🔥Fire & Rescue 🔥 One Person Killed in Accidental Prineville RV Fire One person was found dead after an RV caught fire late Tuesday night on NW Gardner Road in Prineville. Crook County Fire & Rescue was dispatched just before 11:40 p.m. and arrived to find the RV fully engulfed, with flames spreading to two nearby vehicles in a commercial storage lot. Crews extinguished the RV and vehicle fires, and a single occupant was found deceased inside the trailer.
Twelve firefighters responded with three engines, an ambulance and two command vehicles. The investigation included Prineville Police, the Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, the Oregon State Fire Marshal and the Crook County District Attorney’s Office. Investigators determined the fire was accidental, although the exact cause could not be identified.
🚒 Quick 911 Calls Help Limit Damage in Bend House Fire Bend Fire & Rescue crews responded to a house fire on NW Fresno Avenue just before 9 a.m. Thursday, arriving within four minutes of the first 911 call. Firefighters quickly knocked down the blaze, and no one was home at the time. NW 13th Street was briefly closed while crews worked at the scene.
Investigators determined the fire was accidental. Damage to the home and its contents was estimated at $315,449. Bend Fire credited nearby community members who quickly reported smoke, saying those early calls helped crews respond faster and limit the amount of damage. 🚨Crime News 🚔 CODE Investigation Leads to Fentanyl Seizure Near Sisters A monthlong Central Oregon Drug Enforcement team investigation led to the arrest of a 46-year-old Bend man late Wednesday night near Sisters. Detectives said Jeremy Scott Boggs was suspected of selling illegal narcotics and had been traveling to the Portland area to obtain fentanyl. A Deschutes County sheriff’s deputy stopped Boggs, who was riding a Honda motorcycle, near U.S. Highway 20 and Indian Ford Road around 11 p.m.
Authorities said Boggs, who had an outstanding felony warrant for a parole violation, initially gave the deputy a false name. During the stop, officers allegedly found him carrying what CODE described as a commercial quantity of fentanyl. He was taken to the Deschutes County Jail on suspicion of second-degree delivery and possession of a controlled substance, giving false information to a police officer and the parole violation. Read more → ⛰️Bend 🧹 Volunteers Wanted for Bend Riverside Cleanup Volunteer registration is open for SOLVE’s second annual “Pick It Up, Bend!” cleanup, set for Sunday, Sept. 27 around the Old Mill District and Hayden Homes Amphitheater. Volunteers will fan out along the Deschutes River corridor and nearby gathering areas to collect litter before it can make its way downstream.
The Bend event is part of SOLVE’s 40th annual statewide Beach & Riverside Cleanup, running Sept. 18–27. This year’s cleanup also leads into the Jack Johnson concert that evening at Hayden Homes Amphitheater, where SOLVE will be part of the Village Green. Read more →
🚗 Central Oregon Tops AAA’s Regional Labor Day List Central Oregon is the top regional Labor Day destination for AAA Oregon/Idaho members, according to the organization’s latest booking and search data. The Oregon Coast, Portland, Medford/Ashland and Boise are also among the popular closer-to-home destinations as travelers squeeze in one last summer getaway.
Those trips will cost a little more this year. AAA says domestic airfare, hotels, tours and gas are all running higher than Labor Day 2025, with Oregon gas averaging $4.77 a gallon as of Aug. 26. The busiest road travel is expected Friday and Saturday, with AAA recommending an early start to avoid the worst congestion. Read more → 🪶Madras ✈️ Airshow of the Cascades Takes Over Madras Skies The Airshow of the Cascades returns to Madras Municipal Airport Friday and Saturday, bringing precision jets, aerobatics and historic aircraft back to the Central Oregon skies. This year’s flying lineup includes the six-jet Patriots Jet Team, Undaunted Airshows, a microjet performance, aerobatic pilot Yuichi Takagi and aircraft from the Erickson Aircraft Collection.
There’s plenty happening on the ground, too, with aircraft displays and rides, a car show, live music, food and drink vendors and kids’ activities. Organizers say the two-day event typically draws about 20,000 people to Madras each year. Read more → 🏘️Real Estate 🏠 Central Oregon Market Holds Steady Into Fall Central Oregon’s housing market continues to look more steady than dramatic as summer winds down. Inventory is beginning its usual seasonal shift, mortgage rates remain in the upper-6% range, and buyers are still moving on homes that are priced to meet the market.
The bigger trend has been consistency: sales activity in 2026 is running ahead of 2025, even as many sellers have had to adjust asking prices before getting a contract. Reed Melton’s weekly report breaks down the latest numbers across Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties. Read more →
🔧 Small Home Fixes That Can Prevent Big Bills A handful of inexpensive home fixes can save a much bigger repair bill later. The list includes small jobs homeowners tend to put off — things like stopping minor leaks, replacing worn weather seals and keeping basic safety equipment up to date.
None of these projects are glamorous, but that’s the point: a little maintenance now can keep water, air leaks and neglected household systems from becoming expensive problems down the road. Read more →
🏘️ Rural Rental Assistance Reaches 500+ Oregonians More than 500 people in rural Oregon have received long-term rental assistance since the state expanded the program beyond larger population centers. Oregon Housing and Community Services says the assistance can cover rent, utilities and supportive services for people working to stay housed after experiencing homelessness.
Statewide, more than 1,900 households have received assistance since July of last year, and more than 3,000 Oregonians have been helped since July 2025. The rural expansion includes communities where both housing and support services can be harder to find. Read more → 💼Business News 🛍️ HomeGoods Files Plans for Former Bend Big Lots HomeGoods has filed a permit application with the City of Bend to move into the former Big Lots store at the Forum Shopping Center on Bend’s east side. The application, filed Aug. 20, calls for improvements to roughly 28,409 square feet, including a new sales area, restrooms, fitting rooms, lighting, HVAC upgrades and a new storefront entrance.
The Big Lots location, near Safeway and the former Costco, closed in February 2025. HomeGoods has not announced an opening date, so for now the filing is the clearest sign yet that the national home furnishings retailer is preparing to take over the space. Read more →
🎉 I & J Carpets Celebrates Five Decades in Bend A Bend business with some serious roots marked a milestone this week: I & J Carpets celebrated 50 years in business Wednesday night with an anniversary party at Oregon Spirit Distillers. Owner Amy Holcomb said her parents purchased the company in 1975, when it was still primarily a building-supply business, before it eventually shifted its focus to flooring.
Five decades later, I & J remains family owned. Holcomb said the anniversary celebration was a chance to thank the Central Oregon customers who have supported the business through the years — and, she hopes, will help keep it going for another 25 or even 50. Read more → 🐝Central Oregon 🐺 Young Gray Wolf Spotted Along Cascade Lakes Highway A Central Oregon woman got a rare wildlife sighting along Cascade Lakes Highway when she spotted a lone gray wolf near the road. After Kayla Cook reported the encounter to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, officials told her the animal was a 16-month-old male that had traveled hundreds of miles over the past month.
The wolf originated from the Indigo Pack near Diamond Lake, according to Think Wild. Wildlife officials say that kind of long-distance wandering is normal for young wolves as they leave their home packs in search of new territory, food or a mate. ODFW uses tools including radio collars, trail cameras and scat surveys to track wolf movements as the species continues expanding into new areas of Oregon. Read more →
🔥 BLM Fire Restrictions Remain in Place The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced that fire restrictions will remain in effect across Central Oregon, extending existing prohibitions on campfires and other open flames. This comes as the region continues to experience dry conditions which significantly increase the risk of wildfires. These restrictions are crucial measures to prevent large-scale wildfires that could devastate natural habitats and threaten communities.
For residents and visitors, adhering to these fire restrictions is vital for public safety and environmental protection. It matters because ignoring these guidelines could result in hazardous situations that strain local emergency services and potentially cause widespread damage. Staying informed on these restrictions ensures that recreational activities like camping are conducted safely and responsibly. Read more → That’s a wrap for this Friday’s Buzz. Have a safe Labor Day weekend, enjoy the last stretch of August, and we’ll be back with more Central Oregon news on Monday. | 
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