Klamath County Fire District 1 has closed all open burning within its district boundaries due to increasing fire danger and the onset of fire season conditions. The closure applies to Klamath Falls and surrounding areas, while barbecues, cooking appliances, and certain contained fire pits remain allowed under specific safety rules.

The 173rd Fighter Wing at Kingsley Field says it will be unable to conduct requested flyovers until late 2027 while the base moves through its aircraft conversion process. The wing’s last F-15 Eagle departed in December 2025, and F-35A Lightning II aircraft are projected to arrive in August 2027, pending final Department of the Air Force approval.

Klamath Trails Alliance volunteers, working with the U.S. Forest Service Fremont-Winema National Forest, have reopened a 600-foot connector trail near Lake of the Woods. The High-Rye Connector links the High Lakes Trail with the Rye Spur Trail and Billie Creek Nature Loop near Highway 140.

Unofficial Wednesday morning election results show Steve Bitzer appearing to win the Klamath County Commissioner Position 2 race outright, while Oregon voters rejected Measure 120 and several major statewide races moved toward November matchups.

Henley fourth-graders built their own birdhouses last week with help from middle and high school construction students, turning a hands-on shop project into a cross-grade learning experience.

Fire season will officially begin Friday, May 22, in Klamath and Lake counties. The Oregon Department of Forestry Klamath-Lake District and partner agencies are moving into coordinated fire season operations, with Moderate fire danger and IFPL I restrictions taking effect.

More than $26.4 million in new state shelter funding has been awarded to regional coordinators serving Southern Oregon, the South Coast, and Central Oregon. The awards are part of more than $102 million announced statewide through Oregon’s Statewide Shelter Program.

A Klamath Falls man died Thursday afternoon in a three-vehicle crash on South 6th Street near the intersection with Wiard Street. Oregon State Police says one other driver was transported to Sky Lakes Medical Center with minor injuries, while a third driver was reportedly not injured.

Klamath County Fire District 1 firefighters stopped a residential fire from fully spreading to a neighboring home Friday afternoon in the 800 block of California Avenue. The primary residence sustained extensive fire and smoke damage, while the adjacent home was damaged by radiant heat and fire exposure.

A Klamath Falls coffee business has been named the Portland District SBA Rural Business of the Year, marking the first time the award has been presented to a rural business in Oregon. Owners Carly and Ryan Lynch were honored during a ceremony at their Spring Street location and credited the Klamath Community College Small Business Development Center for helping them build and grow the business.

Klamath County is now under a state drought emergency after Governor Tina Kotek declared emergency status for Klamath, Coos, and Wheeler counties. State officials say 70% of Klamath County is in moderate to severe drought, while the Klamath Basin’s snow water equivalent was reported at just 4% of normal in late April.

Klamath County Fire District 1 responded Monday morning to a structure fire at an abandoned home in the 1700 block of Arthur Street in Klamath Falls. Crews found smoke and fire coming from the vacant structure, brought the fire under control, and prevented it from spreading to nearby homes.

The Bureau of Land Management will open Gerber and Topsy campgrounds for the 2026 recreation season on Wednesday, May 13. The two Klamath-area public lands destinations offer camping, fishing, hiking, boating, wildlife viewing, and day-use access ahead of Memorial Day weekend.

The Klamath County School District Board of Directors has selected Melissa Cole as its next superintendent. Cole, a Klamath Falls resident and longtime educator with more than 25 years of experience, will succeed retiring Superintendent Glen Szymoniak and begin leading the district on July 1.

Basin Transit Service says it partnered with Klamath Community College to help a staff member earn a commercial driver license with a passenger endorsement. The agency says the training will allow the employee to operate a college vehicle used to support student and athletic transportation needs.

Klamath Basin Behavioral Health is expanding its youth prevention programming with a series of free, age-specific community events throughout 2026. The substance-free activities are designed to help children and teens build positive connections, strengthen resilience, and have safe recreational opportunities in Klamath County.

Klamath Community College has launched a $1 million capital campaign to support its new Childcare Learning Center, a 29,000-square-foot facility expected to open in fall 2027. The center will serve up to 144 children while also providing training space for KCC students studying early childhood education.

Klamath County Fire District 1 responded to a two-story residential structure fire Wednesday in the 1900 block of Auburn Street in Klamath Falls. Crews found heavy fire at the rear of the home extending into the second floor, but no civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.

Nearly $48.7 million in federal Secure Rural Schools funding is headed to Oregon counties, with Southern Oregon communities receiving some of the largest allocations in the state. Douglas, Klamath, Jackson, and Josephine counties are among the top recipients.

Klamath County Fire District #1 crews quickly contained a duplex fire in the Roosevelt area, preventing injuries and likely avoiding displacement of residents. The incident also marked a first working fire for two members of the department.