BURNS, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management’s plans to rescue horses on Riddle Mountain have been postponed due to a temporary restraining order related to ongoing litigation. After a record dry winter and a fire season that consumed 70% of the herd management area, the herd’s health is under immediate threat from severe food and water shortages.

“It’s our responsibility to manage and protect these herds,” said Don Rotell, Burns District Manager.  “When fire and severe drought shrinks water sources and reduces forage, it’s the horses and other plants and animals that pay a price.”

“We want healthy horses on healthy rangelands,” Rotell continued. “Unfortunately, the practical implication of this delay is that it may not be possible to round up these horses before late fall storms make roads in the area impassable.”

The rescue operation was planned to start September 9. The BLM will provide any additional updates online.

Rescuing these horses from the range was also part of the BLM’s post-fire emergency stabilization and rehabilitation plan for the land. When a severe wildfire burns hot enough to destroy vegetation and alter soil structure, recovery doesn't happen on its own. Without quick action, winter storms can wash away topsoil, invasive weeds can take hold, and damage can last for decades. Resting the land ensures it can continue to provide habitat for the herd, other wildlife and support additional land uses. During this rest period, cattle will not be grazing on these lands, allowing the rangeland to recover without added pressure to its limited forage and water resources.  

Public safety and animal welfare remain top priorities. The Wild Horse and Burro Program is committed to the humane and sustainable management of wild horse populations and their habitats. These drive-trap gather operations are guided by the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program, which sets handling standards that prioritize the care and well-being of the animals. Through collaborative efforts, the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program seeks to maintain healthy herds on healthy rangelands now and for future generations.

VIDEO: BLM video of the herd traveling through the scorched rangeland is available here.

-BLM-

The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

APPLICANT REVIEW COMMITTEE

MEETING SCHEDULED

The Applicant Review Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Juan Lopez (503) 551-3167.

To view the Applicant Review Committee's live-stream and other recorded videos, please visit DPSST’s official YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/@DPSST.

Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Approve August 26, 2026, Meeting Minutes

3. Isaac Andres, DPSST No. 67221; DOC/Deer Ridge Correctional Institution

    Presented by Victor Sanchez

4. Inquiry Closure Memos – Information Only

    Presented by Victor Sanchez

5. Next Applicant Review Committee Meeting – October 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be recorded. Deliberation of issues will only be conducted by Applicant Review Committee members unless permitted by the Chair. Individuals who engage in disruptive behavior that impedes official business will be asked to stop being disruptive or leave the meeting. Additional measures may be taken to have disruptive individuals removed if their continued presence poses a safety risk to the other persons in the room or makes it impossible to continue the meeting.

DPSST provides reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access for people with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency. To request a sign language interpreter, translation services, or other accommodations, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167 or at nandez@dpsst.oregon.gov">juan.lopez-hernandez@dpsst.oregon.gov, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

DPSST proporciona acomodaciones rasonables para asegurar el acceso igual para personas con descapacidades y para personas con competencia limitada de inglés. Para pedir un interprete de lengua de señas, servicios de traducción, u otras acomodaciones, por favor de contactar a Juan Lopez marcando al (503) 551-3167, o a nandez@dpsst.oregon.gov">juan.lopez-hernandez@dpsst.oregon.gov, al menos de 48 horas antes de la reunión.

PORTLAND, Ore.—Hugo Alberto Roman Aparicio, 42, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release for a gun trafficking conspiracy. Roman Aparicio will be removed from the United States after he completes his prison sentence. All guns were seized and forfeited.

According to court documents, Roman Aparicio and others, conspired to smuggle guns from Portland to Mexico. They hid 12 firearms in the spare tire compartment of a car, that Roman Aparicio obtained, to secretly transport the guns into Mexico.

Roman Aparicio, and others, arranged for the guns to be left with a co-conspirator in California, who was to complete the trip and smuggle the guns into Mexico. Investigators believe the guns were destined for cartels. The group was trying to impress a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) with the hope of receiving illegal drugs to sell in Oregon.

With the assistance of the California Highway Patrol, DEA task force officers located and stopped the courier in California before the guns could be transferred. The courier’s vehicle was searched, and law enforcement officers found the firearms hidden in the spare tire area.

On November 26, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a 2-count superseding indictment charging Roman Aparicio with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to traffic firearms.

On May 22, 2026, Roman Aparicio pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic in firearms.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Tigard Police Department, Sherwood Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul T. Maloney and James Kilcup.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Portland comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, USMS, IRS-CI, ATF, USPIS, CBP, TSA, U.S. Coast Guard, Oregon Air, Army National Guard Counterdrug program, and Oregon-Idaho HIDTA with prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon

# # #

Bend Fire & Rescue has launched a new online tool that makes it easier for residents to request free wildfire risk home assessments and access personalized mitigation recommendations, supporting efforts to make Bend a more fire-adapted community.

The new tool streamlines the assessment process by allowing residents to request appointments online through Fire Aside, Bend Fire's wildfire assessment and data management platform. Through the system, residents can request an assessment, access assessment reports, document completed mitigation projects and view progress over time.

A wildfire risk home assessment is designed to help homeowners identify actions that can reduce wildfire risk around their properties. During the approximately one-hour visit, a trained assessor walks the property with the resident, discusses vulnerabilities and provides recommendations related to defensible space and home hardening.

"The launch of this tool is an important step in helping residents take action to reduce wildfire risk around their homes," Deputy Fire Marshal Melissa Steele said. "These assessments provide practical recommendations that can help homeowners improve their property's resilience to wildfire while supporting Bend Fire's community wildfire preparedness efforts."

After completing an assessment, residents can create a secure Fire Aside profile to access personalized recommendations and wildfire preparedness resources. The platform also allows homeowners to upload photos of completed mitigation work, creating a record of actions taken to reduce wildfire risk.

Information gathered through assessments will help Bend Fire better understand common wildfire preparedness needs across the community and inform future outreach, education and resource planning efforts.

Residents can request a free wildfire risk home assessment at bendoregon.gov/own-your-zone. Once a request is submitted, Bend Fire staff will contact the requestor to schedule an appointment.

About Bend Fire & Rescue

Bend Fire & Rescue provides fire protection, emergency medical services, community risk reduction programs and wildfire preparedness education to over 144,000 residents throughout the Bend community and surrounding rural area of Deschutes Rural Fire Protection District #2. Bend Fire's Own Your Zone program helps residents prepare their homes and neighborhoods for wildfire while supporting long-term community resilience.

Accommodation Information for People with Disabilities & Language Assistance Services

You can obtain this information in alternate formats such as Braille, electronic format, etc. Free language assistance services are also available. Please email ility@bendoregon.gov">accessibility@bendoregon.gov or call 541-693-2198. Relay Users Dial 7-1-1. All requests are subject to vendor processing times and should be submitted 48-72 hours in advance of events.

Servicios de asistencia lingüística e información sobre alojamiento para personas con discapacidad

Puede obtener esta información en formatos alternativos como Braille, formato electrónico, etc. También disponemos de servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Póngase en contacto en correo electrónico ility@bendoregon.gov">accessibility@bendoregon.gov o número de teléfono 541-693-2198. Los usuarios del servicio de retransmisión deben marcar el 7-1-1. Por favor, envíe sus solicitudes con 48-72 horas de antelación al evento; todas las solicitudes están sujetas a los tiempos de procesamiento del proveedor.

Salem – On average, Oregon employers will pay 92 cents per $100 of payroll for workers’ compensation coverage in 2027 under a proposal the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) announced today. The rate would be the second lowest on record.

The pure premium rate would increase by an average 2.1 percent under the proposal. Pure premium is the base rate insurers use to determine how much employers must pay for medical costs and lost wages. Despite the increase, the pure premium per $100 of payroll will have declined by 36.5 percent from 2018 to 2027.

The increase to the average pure premium rate would contribute to an increase in the average cost of workers’ compensation coverage, from 89 cents per $100 of payroll in 2026 to 92 cents per $100 of payroll in 2027. This figure is referred to as loaded pure premium and includes pure premium, insurer profit and expense factors, and assessments paid by employers.

The rise in Oregon’s average pure premium rate is due to benefits for workers injured on the job being increased through Senate Bill 1519 (2026), which modified weekly lost-time wage compensation benefits for workers with disabling claims. The bill is intended to elevate benefits for lower wage earners who are injured on the job. Under current law, temporary total disability benefits are paid at 66 2/3 percent of the state average weekly wage (SAWW). Effective Jan. 1, 2027, the weekly compensation rate for wages up to 75 percent of the average weekly wage will increase to 75 percent, while the compensation rate for wages more than 75 percent of the SAWW will decrease to 65 percent.

Long-term declines in lost-time claim frequency continue to help offset upward pressure on system costs from higher medical and indemnity claim severity seen across the country, as well as benefit increases such as those made by Senate Bill 1519, according to the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI). NCCI is the U.S. rate-setting organization whose recommendation DCBS reviews as part of its annual public process to decide rates.

The 2.1 percent increase in the pure premium is an average, so an individual employer may see a larger or smaller increase, no change, or even a decrease, depending on the employer’s industry. Also, an employer’s premium is affected by factors other than changes in pure premium rates, such as the employer’s payroll, modifications based on its claim experience, and its insurer’s profit and expense factor.

The increase in the pure premium will be effective Jan. 1, 2027, but employers will see the changes when they renew their policies for 2027.

Employers’ total cost for workers’ compensation insurance also includes a premium assessment. In addition, employers pay at least half of the Workers’ Benefit Fund (WBF) component and the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) Expense Fund component, which are cents-per-hour-worked rates.

The premium assessment, which is a percentage of the workers’ compensation insurance premium employers pay, is added to the pure premium. It would remain at 9.8 percent in 2027, the same as 2026, under the DCBS proposal. In fact, 2027 would mark the sixth-straight year the premium assessment remained at 9.8 percent.

The premium assessment funds the successful programs of Oregon’s workers’ compensation system, including the Workers’ Compensation Division; Oregon OSHA; the Workers’ Compensation Board, which resolves disputes over the state’s workers’ compensation and workplace safety laws; the Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers, an independent advocate for workers on workers’ compensation and workplace safety and health; and the Office of the Small Business Ombudsman for Workers’ Compensation, an independent advocate for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and the professional advisers who serve them.

Meanwhile, the WBF assessment funds return-to-work programs, provides increased benefits over time for workers who are permanently and totally disabled, and gives benefits to families of workers who die from workplace injuries or diseases.

The fund’s revenue comes from a cents-per-hour-worked assessment. The assessment would increase to 2.2 cents per hour worked in 2027. It would be the fourth-lowest rate since the inception of the cents-per-hour assessment in 1996.

New for 2027 is the establishment of the BOLI Expenses Fund (BEF) component, created by House Bill 4027 (2026). DCBS is collecting that component to help fund BOLI. In 2027, DCBS will collect 0.2 cents per hour worked for the fund.

The addition of the BEF component combined with the WBF component results in a total assessment of 2.4 cents per hour worked.

Oregon’s workers’ compensation premium rates have ranked favorably compared to other states for many years. Oregon had the nation’s 14th least expensive rates in 2024, according to a nationally recognized biennial study conducted by DCBS.

The public hearings for the premium assessment and the WBF assessment are Thursday, Sept. 17, at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively.

Written testimony will be accepted through 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, by the Director's Office of DCBS, P.O. Box 14480, Salem, OR 97309-0405.

The DCBS website has a table showing the workers’ compensation cost summary for 2027 and more information about Oregon workers’ compensation costs.

The loaded pure premium includes insurer costs, known as expense loading factors. Historic figures are adjusted to reflect the 2026 mix of employment and payroll.

###

About Oregon DCBS: The Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. The department administers state laws and rules to protect consumers and workers in the areas of workers’ compensation, occupational safety and health, financial services, insurance, and building codes. Visit dcbs.oregon.gov.

BAKER CITY, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management announces that parts of the Virtue Flat Off-Highway Vehicle Area, approximately 12.5 miles east of Baker City, will temporarily close for the Bar to Bar Off‑Road Motorcycle Race. The closure applies during active race periods on Sept. 12–13, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is necessary to ensure public safety, support event operations, and avoid conflicts with other recreationists.   

"Public safety is our highest priority during high-speed events like this motorcycle race, and the eastern trails will remain open for other recreationists to enjoy,” said Erich Schow, Baker Field Office Assistant Manager. “We appreciate the community's cooperation and patience as we work to host a safe and successful event."

During race activities, officials will close the designated racecourse, staging, pit, parking, and start/finish areas. Public recreation access to these areas will not be permitted during the closure period. Trails and routes on BLM land to the east of the course will remain open for recreational use.

For more information about the closure, please contact the BLM Baker Field Office at (541) 523-1256.

-BLM-

The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

SALEM –  The Oregon Heritage Commission has released an update to the statewide Oregon Heritage Plan.
 

The statewide Oregon Heritage Plan is a call to action for heritage preservation efforts across the state to unite around common goals. The Oregon Heritage Commission invites individuals and organizations to discuss the goals and strategies in this Plan, consider how they align with organization missions and priorities, and join the Commission in this work.

The structure of the plan includes:

• 5 focus areas that guided its development and will serve as a lens for carrying out the goals and strategies:
  • Tribal engagement and relationship building
  • Healthy and thriving communities
  • Collaborations and partnerships
  • Ethical practices and accountability
  • Future thinking
• 4 goals that identify long-term desired outcomes for heritage efforts across the state:
  • Engage More Voices - Engage excluded and marginalized voices to expand the narrative of history told and preserved in Oregon.
  • Increase Access to Heritage - Increase access to heritage resources for the communities you serve.
  • Build Heritage Networks - Work together at all levels to advocate for sustainable funding and to increase awareness of the value of heritage.
  • Develop Healthy Organizations - Apply practices and standards in sustainable, scalable, and ethical ways to increase organizational health.
• Strategies for each goal that lay out a path forward for Oregon Heritage, state agencies and service organizations, and heritage organizations to achieve the goals.

“The Heritage Commission encourages the heritage preservation community, locally, regionally, and statewide, to consider this plan as a tool to help them in their work,” says Heritage Commission Coordinator, Katie Henry. “Each step forward will result in more stories told, more people served, and more sustainable heritage organizations.”

Oregon’s heritage preservation community is any individual, organization, or entity that understands the value of and works towards documenting, preserving, and sharing Oregon’s heritage resources. These resources include places, buildings, structures, archeological sites, archives, collections, traditional beliefs and practices, culturally significant natural resources, and much more. Those engaged in this work include but are not limited to Tribal, federal, state, and local governments; local landmark commissions; museums; archives; libraries; historical societies; educational institutions; advocacy groups; Oregon Main Street organizations; building, design, finance, and real estate professionals; and any other individuals and organizations engaged in this work.

Oregon Heritage conducted engagement with the public, heritage organizations, and other key parties to inform the Plan from August to November 2025. Engagement activities included a public survey, discussion groups, and a questionnaire for heritage groups. The 2024 Oregon Heritage Vitality Study also provided critical information to help inform the update to the Oregon Heritage Plan.

Access the Oregon Heritage Plan online at oregonheritage.org in English and Spanish. Printed copies can be requested by emailing itage.info@oprd.oregon.gov">heritage.info@oprd.oregon.gov or calling 503-877-8834.

About the Oregon Heritage Commission (OHC)
The Heritage Commission’s nine Governor appointed members represent a diversity of cultural, geographic, and institutional interests. The Commission’s nine advisory members include representatives from the Oregon State Library, Oregon State Archives, State Historical Records Advisory Board, Higher Education Coordinating Committee, Travel Oregon, Oregon Historical Society, Department of Education, State Historic Preservation Office, and the Department of Land Conservation and Development.

The Commission is the primary agency for coordination of heritage activities in the state. This includes carrying out the Oregon Heritage Plan, increasing efficiency and avoiding duplication among interest groups, developing plans for coordination among agencies and organizations, encouraging tourism related to heritage resources, and coordinating statewide anniversary commemorations and other designations.

The Oregon Heritage Commission is one of four state commissions and committees under Oregon Heritage, a division of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department that includes the State Historic Preservation Office.

More information about the Oregon Heritage Commission and Oregon Heritage programs is available online at www.oregonheritage.org and from Commission Coordinator, Katie Henry, at 503-877-8834 or katie.henry@oprd.oregon.gov. 

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jason Fellman | canbyharefest@gmail.com |503-515-2687

PORTLAND, Ore.—Two men have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. Daejon Labrayae Love, 35, and Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, have been charged by criminal complaint in Portland, Oregon.

According to court documents, beginning in February 2022, Love and Chan created fictitious investments to defraud numerous women in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California. Love met most of the women on the Internet through dating apps. Chan falsely posed as Love’s financial adviser to further gain their victims’ trust and demonstrate the validity of the investments.  Love and Chan solicited money from the women through lies and misrepresentations. The scheme lasted until the day of Love and Chan’s arrests on August 24, 2026.

The scheme relied on Love’s creation of fictitious personas and display of a lavish lifestyle which Love presented to victims both in person and on social media websites. Love falsely portrayed himself as legitimately wealthy, often as an NFL player for the San Francisco 49ers or as a wealthy real estate investor. 

Love convinced many of the victims they were in sincere romantic relationships with Love, that he was a sophisticated investor, and that Chan was his investment adviser who helped Love grow a fortune worth tens of millions of dollars. Love had romantic relationships with many of the victims and told them he wanted to build wealth and a future together. Love advertised nonexistent investment vehicles and claimed these investments would generate massive returns for both him and his victims.

Love also used phone applications to create fictitious bank and investment accounts and balances which Love showed victims to legitimize the scheme.

Love and Chan also exchanged investment-related electronic communications in which Chan pretended to be Love’s investment adviser. Chan sent Love messages purportedly encouraging Love to invest in new opportunities. Love then sent screenshots of those messages to numerous victims to further convince them to send money to either Love or Chan. Chan and Love also hosted three-way FaceTime calls in which they showed victims falsified investment gains and encouraged victims to part with their money. Victims sent Love and Chan money due to their belief that their money would be invested in legitimate investment vehicles on the victims’ behalf. Some victims also loaned Love large amounts of money, if victims did not have cash to invest, Love sometimes instructed them to take out personal loans in both scenarios Love assured the victims that they would quickly be repaid.

Once victims had no more money to invest, or if they asked too many questions, Love blocked communication with them, but kept their money. Of the victims identified and interviewed, none reported receiving any proceeds, returns on their principal, or investment account information, after sending Love and Chan money. Financial records show Love and Chan received about $1.3 million from victim investors. 26 victims have been identified; the FBI believes there are many more victims.

Arrest warrants and a criminal complaint alleging conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud and were issued for both Love and Chan on August 17, 2026, in the District of Oregon. The FBI’s investigation revealed that on August 24, 2026, Chan flew from California to meet Love in Boise, Idaho. The FBI and other law enforcement apprehended both Love and Chan at the Boise Airport. Investigators learned that Love was in Idaho to meet new victims. Investigators learned that from July 15 through August 24, 2026, Love traveled to New Mexico, California, Oregon, Nevada, Utah and Idaho.

Love has used several names including Jon Love, Daejon Love, Avril Lyto Love, and Jordan Love to perpetuate the scheme.

The FBI encourages anyone having information on Daejon Love or Taylor Chan to contact the FBI at https://tips.fbi.gov/ or to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Both Love and Chan are in federal custody in Boise, Idaho, and will have their first court appearance on Thursday, August 27, 2026.

This case was investigated by The Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bryan Chinwuba and Chris Cardani for the District of Oregon.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

# # #

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Washington State man pleaded guilty today to sex trafficking.

Dajohntae Rayshawnlee Richard, 26, pleaded guilty to two counts of sex trafficking by fraud, force, and coercion, announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon.

According to court documents, in May of 2025, Richard messaged a girl, age 15, on Facebook. Richard met with and had sex with the minor victim. Richard then drove her to a place in the State of Washington where he instructed her to solicit men seeking sex for money. Richard kept all the money that men paid for the sex acts with the minor victim. The victim reported that there were occasions when Richard hit and choked the minor victim if she did not do as Richard instructed. The victim was afraid that Richard would injure or kill her. On one occasion, he struck her in the face and choked her, causing a visible injury. This trafficking and abuse continued for about two months, and Richard transported her to various locations in Washington and Oregon to find customers.

In June of 2025, in the Seattle, Washington, area, Richard approached a second 15-year-old girl and told her she worked for him. Within days, Richard began threatening the child, controlling her use of her cellphone and forcing her to engage in sex with men for money, which Richard kept. The child victim feared for her life, so she complied with Richard’s demands. Richard drove the child victim to various locations to make money for him. This trafficking continued for about a month.

On June 28, 2025, the defendant transported both these minor victims and an adult woman to Portland, Oregon. Richard rented a hotel room and instructed the girls and woman to walk on 82nd Avenue for the purpose of finding customers with whom to engage in sexual acts.

On August 25, 2025, Richard made his initial appearance in federal court in Portland and was detained.

On August 12, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a 4-count indictment charging Richard with 2-counts of sex trafficking by fraud, force, and coercion and 2-counts of sex trafficking of a child.

Richard faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $ 250,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gains or losses resulting from the offense if such amount is determined to exceed $250,000, 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 fee assessment. Richard will also be required to register as a sex offender. He will be sentenced on December 7, 2026, before a U.S. district court judge.

As part of the plea agreement, Richard has agreed to pay restitution in full to the victims.

This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Rochat and Eliza Carmen Rodriguez are prosecuting the case.

If you or someone you know are victims of human trafficking or have information about a potential human trafficking situation, please call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also submit a tip on the NHTRC website.

This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

# # #

WHO: Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, The Adjutant General, Oregon, along with representatives from the U.S. Navy, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, the National Guard Bureau, and the Oregon Military Department.

WHAT: A groundbreaking ceremony for the Multi-Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) Range, a 10-lane, $12 million live-fire training facility that will become the first and only Army Standard crew-served weapons range in Oregon.

WHEN: Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: Naval Weapons Systems Training Facility, Boardman, Oregon

STAGING: Media should report to the Unmanned Aerial System Operating Facility (UASOF), Naval Weapons Systems Training Facility, Boardman, Oregon, where attendees will stage before moving to the ceremony site.

VISUALS: Ceremonial groundbreaking with shovels; range site overlooking the future 10-lane facility; interviews available with Oregon Military Department and Navy leadership on the range's mission and history.

BACKGROUND: The MPMG Range has been in development for more than two decades, beginning with a 2004 license agreement between the Departments of the Army, Navy, and the Oregon Military Department. Once complete, the range will allow Oregon Soldiers to qualify on crew-served weapons such as the M240, M2, and MK19 in-state, rather than traveling to facilities in Washington or Idaho, and will position Rees Training Center to support next-generation weapons qualification in the years ahead.

Media wishing to attend should RSVP to the contact listed above by September 8, 2026 for credentialing and site access instructions.

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Board of Forestry will meet at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9. An Executive Session is scheduled immediately following the board meeting. The meeting will be held in the Tillamook Room, Building C, at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters, located at 2600 State St. in Salem. The meeting is open to the public and will also be livestreamed on the department’s YouTube channel. 

The board’s business agenda includes:

• Fire season update
• Agency Request Budget 2027-29
• Western Oregon State Forests Management Plan Performance Measures

The full agenda is available on the board’s webpage.

The Executive Session will be closed to the public, except for members of the press who are permitted to attend by law. This Executive Session is held pursuant to ORS 192.660 (2)(f) to consider information or records that are exempt by law from public inspection as well as pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(h) to consult with legal counsel concerning the legal rights and duties of a public body with regard to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed.

Signing up for live testimony is required. Instructions are available online. Written testimony will also be accepted. Written comments can be submitted before or up to two weeks after the meeting day by mail to the Board Support Office, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310 or email to oardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov">boardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov. Please include the appropriate agenda item and topic with the submission.

Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-302-6344 or by email at oardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov" target="_blank">boardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov. 

The Oregon Board of Forestry consists of seven citizens nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Responsibilities include setting management direction for state-owned forests, adopting rules governing timber harvest and other practices on private forestland, and promoting sustainable management of Oregon’s 30-million-acre forestland base. Learn more about the board.

September 8, 2026

Media Contact: Amber Shoebridge, 503-931-9586, er.shoebridge@oha.oregon.gov" rel="noopener" target="_blank">amber.shoebridge@oha.oregon.gov

New facility expands secure inpatient behavioral health care capacity for Oregon youth by a third

EUGENE, Ore. -Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has partnered with Nexus Family Healing to open a new 12-bed secure inpatient treatment facility in Eugene, significantly increasing Oregon’s capacity to serve youth who need care.

The facility expands Oregon’s capacity of secure inpatient program (SIP) beds for youth by roughly one third. The 12 new beds build the state’s total SIP beds for youth to 44, adding to the 20 beds in Corvallis, for youth 10-17, and the 12 beds in Portland, for youth 5-11.  

Youth who need this setting will have had treatment at lower levels of care and need more intensive services and support. The average stay at this level of care is six to nine months.

"Expanding Oregon’s secure residential infrastructure is vital to ensuring that young people with complex behavioral health challenges receive the right level of care in a safe, therapeutic environment," said Jessie Eagan, OHA child and family behavioral health manager.

The Nexus project is among a wave of new facilities for youth behavioral health treatment statewide that started in 2024 and will continue through 2027.

OHA invested $6.8 million for the development of two private residential treatment facilities (PRTF) for youth through House Bill 5024 (2021):

• Madrona Recovery Center Inc., Washington County, 18 beds, $2.2 million, completed in February 2024.
• Community Counseling Solutions, Morrow County, 14 beds, $4.6 million, anticipated to open in October or November 2027.

Two additional facilities for youth are in development:

• Looking Glass is receiving a total of $11.5 million from OHA to complete projects in Lane County for youth. Of that total, $5.2 million from House Bill 5025 (2025) and $1.5 million from House Bill 5030 (2025) is for the development of a 12-bed SIP facility. The remaining funds will help move and renovate their youth Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Network (BHRN) program. Anticipated completion is July 2027.
• Live. Grow. Share. is receiving $2.1 million from House Bill 5030 (2025) for the development of a 10-bed children's psychiatric residential treatment home. Anticipated project completion is December 2028.

Oregon will exceed its goal for a total of 268 youth psychiatric treatment facility beds in 2026 and expects to reach a total of 311 by December 2027. This increased capacity provides more timely and appropriate help and support to youth who need psychiatric residential treatment.

The Nexus project was funded through a $3 million grant as part of House Bill 5024 (2021).

“The opening of this campus is a testament to the dedication of the many individuals who worked tirelessly to bring this project to life,” said Toni Miller, executive director at Nexus. “For the youth we serve, healing requires more than treatment alone. Every aspect of this environment was intentionally designed to support healing, learning, growth, and long-term stability. This campus reflects our commitment to partnering with the state to restore hope and help reshape the futures of Oregon’s youth.”

Like other SIP programs, access to the Nexus facility will be managed by OHA. Nexus began accepting youth ages 10-17 on Sept. 2.

The increase in youth behavioral health capacity is happening at a time when the adult system is also experiencing significant growth, adding 1,660 licensed residential treatment beds to Oregon's continuum of care – a more than 45% increase in capacity. Of those, 1,067 are already open and serving Oregonians today, with 593 more scheduled to open within the next two and a half years. The state was the primary investor in 960 of the beds.

About Nexus

Nexus Family Healing operates specialized residential and community-based mental health services for youth and families in Portland and Eugene.

About OHA

Oregon Health Authority works to improve the lifelong health and well-being of all people in Oregon by expanding access to quality health care, strengthening behavioral health services, advancing public health, and reducing health inequities.

For behavioral health resources and information on OHA’s child and family initiatives, visit https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HSD/BH-Child-Family/Pages/index.aspx

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2026 Board on Public Safety Standards & Training

 and Policy Committee

Open Vacancy – Recruitments

The Board on Public Safety Standards & Training (BPSST) and established Policy Committees have open vacancies looking to be filled. The current vacancies are as follows:

BPSST: All Board applications must be submitted through Workday.com and are reviewed on a rolling basis

• One member who is an administrator of a municipality recommended to the Governor by the executive body of the League of Oregon Cities
• One member who is part of a marginalized or historically underrepresented community
• One member who is a representative of the collective bargaining unit that represents the largest number of individual workers in the DOC

Policy Committees: All Policy Committee applications must be submitted by September 18, 2026.

Corrections Policy Committee:

• One non-management corrections officer employed by the DOC
• One public member who has never been employed or utilized as a corrections officer

Police Policy Committee:

• One person recommended by and representing the Oregon State Sheriffs' Association
• One non-management law enforcement officer
• One non-management law enforcement officer

Private Security/Investigator Policy Committee:

• One person representing unarmed private security professionals
• One person representing the manufacturing industry
• One person representing the retail industry
• One person representing the hospitality industry
• One person representing the public who has never been employed or utilized as a private security provider or investigator

Private Investigator Subcommittee:

• One currently licensed private investigator

Telecommunications Policy Committee:

• One person recommended by and representing a statewide association of public safety communications officers
• One person representing Emergency Medical Services & Trauma 

To inquire about a vacancy, please visit Department of Public Safety Standards & Training : Board on Public Safety Standards & Training and Policy Committees : Boards and Committees : State of Oregon.

If interested in applying for a Policy Committee position, please complete and submit the Policy Committee Interest Form found under the ‘Board and Committee Resources’ section of the website listed above.

If interested in applying for a BPSST position, please complete the online application at Workday Board and Commission Opportunities. (Please note that an account may need to be created if not already in Workday)

For further information regarding the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training or its respective Policy Committees, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167 or juan.lopez-hernandez@dpsst.oregon.gov.

Thank you,

DPSST Board & Committees Staff

September 4, 2026

Media contacts: Erica Heartquist,  PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Siletz Bay health advisory lifted Sept. 4

PORTLAND, Ore. - Oregon Health Authority (OHA) today lifted a public health advisory for contact with ocean water at Siletz Bay, located in Lincoln County.

The health authority issued the advisory Sept. 3, after water samples showed higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters.

Results from follow-up tests taken by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) showed lower bacteria levels. Contact with the ocean water no longer poses a higher-than-normal risk. Officials recommend staying out of large pools on the beach that are frequented by birds, and runoff from those pools, because the water may contain increased bacteria from fecal matter.

Since 2003, state officials have used a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to monitor popular Oregon beaches and make timely reports to the public about elevated levels of fecal bacteria. Oregon state agencies participating in this program are OHA, DEQ and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

For more information, visit the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program website at http://www.healthoregon.org/beach or call 971-673-0440, or call OHA toll-free information line at 877-290-6767.

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September 4, 2026

Media contacts: Erica Heartquist, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Oceanside Beach health advisory lifted Sept. 4

PORTLAND, Ore.—The health authority issued the advisory Sept. 2, after water samples showed higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters.

Results from follow-up tests taken by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) showed lower bacteria levels. Contact with the ocean water no longer poses a higher-than-normal risk. Officials recommend staying out of large pools on the beach that are frequented by birds, and runoff from those pools, because the water may contain increased bacteria from fecal matter.

Since 2003, state officials have used a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to monitor popular Oregon beaches and make timely reports to the public about elevated levels of fecal bacteria. Oregon state agencies participating in this program are OHA, DEQ and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

For more information, visit the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program website at http://www.healthoregon.org/beach or call 971-673-0440, or call OHA toll-free information line at 877-290-6767.

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OHA issues standing order for updated COVID-19 vaccines enabling broad pharmacy access

Order aligns with West Coast Health Alliance recommendations, allows providers to administer vaccines for 2026-2027 respiratory virus season

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority has issued a standing order that will allow vaccine providers statewide to begin administering updated COVID-19 vaccines as soon as this weekend.

Oregon’s COVID-19 vaccine standing order, issued today and signed by Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist at OHA, aligns with similar protocols in the other three states of the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA)—Washington, California and Hawaii.

Oregon’s standing order is based on data for those at highest risk for severe outcomes, including recommending COVID-19 vaccination for children younger than 2, adults 65 and older, people of any age with underlying medical conditions, pregnant individuals, previously unvaccinated children, those living in congregate settings, and health care workers. The standing order also recommends COVID-19 vaccines be available to all who choose them—including those between ages 2 and 65—as they have been in previous respiratory virus seasons.

The announcement about the standing order follows West Coast Health Alliance recommendations for the 2026-2027 respiratory virus season. These recommendations are informed by trusted national medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and viewablehere.

Immunization is the best protection available against respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Seasonal immunization is also a critical public health tool to reduce serious illness including hospitalization and death, community transmission, and health care systems strain.

“We are delighted that anyone who wants protection can get the COVID-19 vaccine starting this weekend,” Sidelinger said. “I join my public health colleagues in the other West Coast Health Alliance member states in celebrating this important step toward ensuring our communities are well prepared for the 2026-2027 respiratory virus season.”

People can get the COVID-19, influenza and RSV vaccines by contacting their health plan, health care provider, county public health clinic or federally qualified health center. They can also search for a clinic by ZIP code by visiting vaccines.gov, or by calling 211 or visiting 211info.org.

About West Coast Health Alliance

The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) is a partnership between California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington to ensure that public health recommendations are guided by safety, efficacy, transparency, access and trust. For more information, visit Oregon’s WCHA page.

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September 4, 2026  

Media Contact: Kim Lippert, 971-323-3831 Kimberly.l.lippert@oha.oregon.gov

New facility expands secure residential behavioral health bed capacity in Multnomah County

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September 4, 2026

Media contacts: Erica Heartquist PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Mill Beach health advisory lifted Sept. 4

PORTLAND, Ore.  - Oregon Health Authority (OHA) today lifted a public health advisory for contact with ocean water at Mill Beach, located in Curry County.

The health authority issued the advisory Sept. 3, after water samples showed higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters.

Results from follow-up tests taken by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) showed lower bacteria levels. Contact with the ocean water no longer poses a higher-than-normal risk. Officials recommend staying out of large pools on the beach that are frequented by birds, and runoff from those pools, because the water may contain increased bacteria from fecal matter.

Since 2003, state officials have used a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to monitor popular Oregon beaches and make timely reports to the public about elevated levels of fecal bacteria. Oregon state agencies participating in this program are OHA, DEQ and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

For more information, visit the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program website at http://www.healthoregon.org/beach or call 971-673-0440, or call OHA toll-free information line at 877-290-6767.

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The Governing Board of the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) will meet on Wednesday, September 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. This public meeting will be conducted as a hybrid teleconference.

The meeting agenda, including call-in information, is available at: https://www.oregon.gov/dogami/about/govboard/boardagenda_9_16_2026.pdf

The DOGAMI Governing Board sets policy, oversees general operations, and adopts a strategic plan every six years. The Board meets at least quarterly. As active members of their communities, Board members provide an important connection between Oregonians and DOGAMI’s mission of providing earth science information and regulation to make Oregon safe and prosperous.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 4, 2026

MEDIA CONTACT:
Sam Tenney, Communications Coordinator
sam.tenney@dpsst.oregon.gov
503-931-4069
 

Twenty‑Five Years After 9/11, DPSST Invites Oregonians to Reflect at the September 11 Memorial

SALEM, Ore. — As the nation marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) welcomes the public to view the September 11 Memorial at the Oregon Public Safety Academy on Friday, Sept. 11. Visitors are invited to reflect on the lives lost, the extraordinary acts of courage shown that day, and the enduring impact the attacks continue to have on our country.

The academy hosts a permanent display of artifacts from the attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people, including 343 firefighters, 71 law enforcement officers and 55 military personnel. In addition to the lives lost in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, thousands of first responders have succumbed to illness resulting from their heroic rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero.

The memorial serves as a testament to the courage, service, and selflessness demonstrated on 9/11. It honors those who rushed toward danger without hesitation, those who supported months‑long recovery efforts, and the families and communities who have carried the weight of loss for 25 years. It also provides a meaningful connection for younger generations, helping them understand the significance of the day and the humanity shown in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

Members of the public are welcome to visit the memorial on Friday, Sept. 11, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The academy is located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy. SE in Salem. Upon entering academy grounds, signage will direct visitors to the main entry. The memorial display is located in the lobby.

Artifacts on display at the 9/11 Memorial include:

• A floor beam from either 5 or 6 World Trade Center
• A structural beam from the base of the North Tower (1 World Trade Center)
• A support strap from the towers’ mechanical systems
• A smaller floor beam from above the 50th floor of one of the Twin Towers
• A piece of exterior aluminum “skin” from one of the towers
• A limestone façade section from the Pentagon, recovered near the point of impact

The artifacts are accompanied by a video tribute, a painting by artist Ricardo Salazar depicting the attacks, and the flags of New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, displayed in honor of the lives lost in each of those states.

The Oregon Public Safety Academy campus also houses memorials dedicated to Oregon’s fallen law enforcement officers and fire service professionals. The Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial commemorates 199 officers who have died in the line of duty since the 1860s, and the Oregon Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial honors 185 fire service members lost since 1881. DPSST holds annual ceremonies to remember these individuals and their service to Oregon communities.

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About DPSST

The mission of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) is to pursue excellence in training and accountability for public safety professionals.

DPSST certifies and licenses police, corrections, and parole and probation officers, as well as regulatory specialists, emergency telecommunicators and medical dispatchers, criminal justice instructors, private security providers, private investigators, fire service professionals, and polygraph examiners in the state of Oregon.

DPSST works with public and private safety agencies around the state to provide basic, leadership and specialized training at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem and regionally throughout the state.

Where Wildlife and Wonder Meet

BEND, OR — Friday, Sept. 4, is National Wildlife Day, but at the High Desert Museum, every day is wildlife day.  From the bobcat that trots through our habitat, to the raptors that call this place home, wildlife is at the heart of what the Museum does through daily programs and the quieter work of care and conservation that happens even when the doors are closed.

This month marks the one-year anniversary of the High Desert Museum receiving its accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which is considered the gold standard for animal care and well-being worldwide.
 

Discover the stories of porcupines, skunks, beavers, foxes and more through the voices of our dedicated wildlife team at a wildlife encounter or interpretive talk. Additional stories of care and conservation are available on the Museum’s website.

Meet a North American Porcupine

Meet a North American porcupine (or two!) at the Museum’s porcupine habitat in the Hollern Atrium and fall in love with our slow-moving, quilled friends. The North American porcupine is generally nocturnal but may occasionally be seen at dawn or dusk, making them an elusive animal in the wild. At the Museum you may be able to see one sleeping on a log or snacking on pine needles and manzanita leaves. Want to help find and record porcupine sightings in the wild? Join the iNaturalist community and the Wildlife Watch program and support a community-science research initiative to support our quilled friends in the wild!

Experience Raptors of the Desert Sky
It's the final weekend of the Museum's popular summer program, Raptors of the Desert Sky! Occurring daily at 11:30 am (weather permitting), the flight show features owls, hawks, falcons, vultures and eagles soaring over the audience in a natural amphitheater. Recommended for ages 5 and older.

Desert Dwellers Program

Experience a close-up encounter with some of the animal ambassadors and learn the secrets of their success in this rugged landscape. Daily at 3 pm. Included in admission.

A Shared Mission for Lamprey

In collaboration with the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Museum houses Pacific lamprey at the Autzen Otter Exhibit. The exhibit highlights their vital ecological role and their recent drop in population.

Discover the Museum’s Ambassador Species

From beavers and bobcats to rattlesnakes and raptors, the High Desert Museum cares for more than 100 animals who help to educate visitors on their importance in our ecosystem as ambassador species.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM: 

The HIGH DESERT MUSEUM opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2025 recipient of the Autry Public History Prize from the Western History Association and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. 

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Salem, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) wants to remind Oregonians that even with the weather shifting, Oregon is still in fire season. Several ODF districts have updated their fire danger level and restrictions recently. However, even with the rain, fuels remain dry and warm weather is expected to return next week.

“Typically, Oregon’s fire season doesn’t end until mid-October, and as we know the weather can change very quickly,” said Michael Curran, ODF Fire Protection Division Chief. “We are still seeing new fire starts throughout the state and fire regulations remain in place.”

Remember that if you are responsible for starting a wildfire in Oregon, you are liable for suppression costs. Remain aware and informed by checking your local fire restrictions and fire danger levels.

Wildfire prevention means:

• Debris burning remains the number one cause of human-caused fires in Oregon and is prohibited during fire season. Cover your pile and wait until fire season is declared over before burning. A dry, covered pile is cleaner and safer to burn in the late fall and winter. Visit beforeyouburn.net for real-time updates on burning regulations and safe burning practices.
• Check local restrictions before lighting a camp or warming fire to see if it is allowed.
• Never leave your campfire or warming fire unattended.
• Make sure your campfire or warming fire is OUT COLD. That means drowning it with water, stirring the ashes, and repeating that process until it is cold to touch. If there is any heat coming off the embers, then it can reignite later.
• Don’t park your car over dried grass, and make sure your vehicle or ATV is regularly serviced.
• Make sure your tow chains are not dragging. The metal hitting asphalt while driving can throw sparks into dry grass on the side of the road.

Visit keeporegongreen.org for more wildfire prevention tips.