Legislation introduced by Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-OR) would authorize emergency access improvements and wildfire preparedness infrastructure in Juniper Canyon in Crook County, Oregon — an area that fire officials say lacks adequate evacuation routes and firefighter access in the event of a major wildfire.

What the Bill Would Do

The legislation would give Crook County the authority to develop an essential evacuation corridor through Juniper Canyon, a rugged area of central Oregon where residents and visitors currently have limited egress options during emergencies. Specific provisions of the bill include:

  • Authorization to create a new emergency evacuation route for residents in the affected area
  • Improved firefighter access to facilitate rapid initial attack response on the public lands surrounding Juniper Canyon
  • Establishment of strategically located fire safe zones — hardened areas where residents can shelter in place during a fire event if evacuation is not possible
  • Infrastructure improvements to support the protection of lives, property, and critical utilities in the corridor

Rep. Bentz Statement

"Central and eastern Oregon communities continue to face growing wildfire threats and increasing concerns about emergency access," Congressman Bentz said in announcing the legislation. "This bill gives Crook County the ability to create an essential evacuation route, strengthen firefighter access, and establish strategically located fire safe zones that can help protect lives, property, and critical infrastructure during wildfire events."

Why Access Matters

Emergency access and egress capacity are increasingly recognized as critical factors in wildfire fatality prevention. Historically, deaths during wildfires have often occurred during evacuations when roads become congested or blocked by the fire itself. Communities in rugged terrain with a single road in and out — like many areas of eastern and central Oregon — are particularly vulnerable.

The 2018 Camp Fire in California, which killed 85 people in Paradise, and the 2020 Almeda and Holiday Farm Fires in Oregon both highlighted how quickly evacuation routes can become compromised. Fire-safe zones — where residents can shelter in a cleared, protected area if road escape is cut off — have been established in some California communities as a last-resort life safety measure.

Broader Preparedness Landscape

The Juniper Canyon bill is part of a broader push in Oregon and across the West to improve community fire resilience. Oregon's legislature has in recent years invested in community wildfire protection plans, defensible space programs, and evacuation planning assistance. The Oregon Department of Forestry encourages all counties to maintain up-to-date evacuation plans and ensure residents are signed up for emergency notification systems.

Crook County residents can sign up for emergency alerts through the county's official emergency management portal. Prineville and surrounding communities in the Ochoco foothills face elevated fire risk from sagebrush and juniper fuels in a warming, drying climate.