Community members are invited to join the City of Bend for a unique engagement opportunity on Thursday, June 12, from 5:30 – 8 p.m. at Bend Municipal Court (555 NE 15th Street, Bend). This event will feature a Neighborhood Resiliency Workshop, a talk from City staff on wildfire preparedness in the Municipal Code and emergency planning, and a public roundtable discussion between the Bend City Council and neighborhood district representatives.
The Neighborhood Resiliency Workshop will take place from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Bend Fire & Rescue and City of Bend Code Enforcement staff will give tips on how to best protect your home from wildfire. Staff will also explain the City’s Flammable Vegetation Code and provide tips on keeping our community safe from wildfire.
Assistant City Manager Russ Grayson and Risk and Emergency Management Director Carrie Karl will discuss how the current City of Bend codes and emergency plans address wildfire from 6:30 – 7 p.m. Topics to be covered will include:
- Current City codes that address wildfire risk.
- How wildfire risk is being considered in the 2025-27 City Council Goals.
- The City’s participation in regional emergency planning.
- Evacuation management.
Finally, following the workshop and presentations, neighborhood district board members are invited to a roundtable discussion with Councilors and City staff from 7-8 p.m. about draft 2025-27 Council Goals that address wildfire preparedness. Community members attending the open house are welcome to stay and observe the discussion.
“Wildfire resilience begins with readiness,” said Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler. “By strengthening our codes, planning together, and empowering neighborhoods, we protect not just our homes, but our entire community.”
Those wishing to share comments about wildfire resiliency should search and connect with their neighborhood district board at bendoregon.gov/neighborhoods, who can then include this input in discussions with Council and staff at the roundtable.
