Heatwave Prompts “Local State of Emergency” The City of Bend has declared a local state of emergency in response to the ongoing extremely high temperatures forecasted by the National Weather Service Excessive Heat Warning and the high risk for fire during this summer’s drought conditions. The emergency order includes mobilizing City resources to provide support services to unhoused community members and the immediate ban on the use of all fireworks – legal or illegal – within the City of Bend. “This heat is taking its toll on our community, especially those who are unhoused,” said City of Bend Chief Operating Officer and Assistant City Manager Jon Skidmore. “We need our public resources focused on supporting our community and saving lives right now. Allowing fireworks during this drought would create unnecessary fire risk and stress our limited public safety and water resources even more.”