PORTLAND, Ore. – With national firefighting resources already stretched to their limits, statewide fire restrictions remain in effect for all Bureau of Land Management public lands throughout Oregon and Washington. Local regions have also implemented additional emergency closures.

As the Independence Day holiday weekend approaches, officials warn that individuals responsible for starting wildfires face up to $100,000 in fines, 12 months in prison, and liability for all firefighting suppression costs.

“There are serious consequences for starting a wildfire, including fines and possibly imprisonment, which we hope everyone can avoid through careful choices,” said Josh O’Connor, Northwest Geographic Area Fire Chief for the U.S. Wildland Fire Service. “We have already experienced excruciating loss this season. I cannot stress the gravity of the situation enough. Please help protect our firefighters and communities.”

Visitors should research their destinations in advance, as local restrictions address questions of when visitors can use power tools, what kinds of stoves or campfires are allowed, and what type of safety equipment to have on hand.

The following items remain strictly prohibited on all BLM lands in Oregon and Washington:

• Fireworks and sky lanterns
• Exploding or metallic targets
• Tracer or incendiary devices
• Steel component ammunition (core or jacket)

“Lighting a firework or leaving a smoldering campfire creates significant wildland fire risk. Under the right conditions, they easily start wildfires,” said Kim Prill, BLM Oregon/Washington Acting State Director. “Don’t risk it. Let’s work together to prevent every wildfire possible.”

For more information on seasonal fire restrictions and fire closures, please see www.blm.gov/orwafire.

-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.
 

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service conducts operations in close coordination with the Bureau of Land Management. As a unified federal entity under the Department of the Interior, the USWFS integrates expertise to streamline wildfire prevention, response and recovery under our shared mission to foster fire-resilient landscapes and safeguard communities across America’s public lands.

When students walk through the doors of Lexington Elementary this fall, they'll be welcomed by a work of art created especially for them. With every student's handprint incorporated into the artwork, the installation captures a moment in the school's history and is a lasting reminder that the heart of a school is its children.

As part of the Washington State Arts Commission's Art in Public Places program (AIPP), Lexington Elementary has been selected to receive a custom glass installation by Washington artist Lisa Stirrett. Inspired by Lexington's vision, Kelso's community, and the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, the artwork celebrates the people and place that make the school unique.

The focus of the installation is three striking glass salmon, symbols of perseverance, resilience, and the enduring connection to home. Woven throughout the artwork are meaningful details that reflect the Pacific Northwest and the Lexington community. Most special of all, the installation incorporates the actual handprints of every Lexington student, creating a lasting tribute to the children who will fill the school with learning, laughter, and possibility. Approximately 100 handprints are embossed into the back of one of the salmon, while the remaining handprints are thoughtfully integrated throughout the artwork.

Composed of hundreds of individually crafted pieces of glass, the installation is both an artistic and engineering achievement. Each of the three salmon weighs approximately 150 pounds, and a specialized crew of five installers will spend two days—July 14 and 15—carefully assembling the artwork in the school's main commons near the front entrance.

"Public art has the power to create a sense of belonging," said Lexington Principal Tim Yore. "This installation tells the story of our community and gives students something inspiring to experience every time they walk through our doors. It's a reminder that this school was built with them—and their future—in mind."

Lexington received the artwork through the Washington State Arts Commission's Art in Public Places program, which reserves one-half of one percent of the state's construction costs for public art in newly constructed public buildings. Through a collaborative design process, local representatives worked alongside ArtsWA to select an artist and help shape a piece that reflects Lexington's identity and values.

Since 1974, ArtsWA's State Art Collection has grown to more than 5,000 works displayed in schools and public buildings across Washington. The collection is one of the nation's largest state-supported public art programs and is unique in its commitment to bringing original artwork into K–12 schools.

For Lexington students, the installation represents more than a decorative feature—it is a lasting investment in creating a welcoming environment where art, community, and learning come together. For years to come, thousands of students, families, staff, and visitors will enter the school beneath a work created to reflect the spirit of Lexington Elementary and the Kelso community.

About Kelso School District

Kelso School District has a goal of 100% (bit.ly/ksd-100) of students graduating high school and having post-secondary plans for college, career, trades, or military. Our mission is to prepare every student for living, learning, and achieving success as a citizen of our changing world.

PR 03-26

BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 29, 2026
CONTACT: Kevin Wingert, BPA, 503-230-4140

Kavulla sworn in as BPA’s 17th administrator

PORTLAND – Travis Kavulla was sworn in today as the new administrator and CEO of the Bonneville Power Administration by U.S. Under Secretary of Energy Kyle Haustveit, becoming the 17th administrator in BPA’s 89-year history. Kavulla will oversee BPA’s vital mission of delivering affordable, reliable and secure power to the Northwest. 

“The Northwest is blessed with abundant hydropower as you all know, and it has provided critical power for Americans for decades. And it will continue to do so for decades to come. You all, along with the work you do and the infrastructure you support, are deeply woven into the fabric of the Northwest,” said Hausveit during a ceremony in Portland. “Travis, I look forward to partnering with you and with all of you at BPA… It’s a unique time in history, and I believe Travis is the right person to answer the call and serve our country.”

BPA faces several unique challenges and opportunities, ranging from significantly expanding transmission infrastructure to best position the region for exponential load growth and exploring new energy markets to upholding statutory obligations such as mitigating the impacts of the federal power and transmission system on fish and wildlife.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, who announced Kavulla’s appointment on June 22, noted the pivotal timing of Kavulla’s leadership.

“This Administration is committed to restoring American energy dominance and your leadership is essential in delivering real, measurable results for the American people,” Wright wrote in a welcome letter to Kavulla. “I encourage you to bring your bold ideas forward and help us accelerate and expand energy production. This is a pivotal moment for America and for DOE.”

Kavulla brings more than 15 years of experience as an energy policy expert and state regulator to this role. He has dedicated his career to developing solutions for affordable, reliable energy in a highly complex industry, focusing on streamlining policies to meet growing power and transmission demands while protecting existing customers from the costs of system upgrades.

He most recently served as the Head of Policy for Base Power Company and as the vice president of Regulatory Affairs at NRG Energy. Previously, Kavulla served eight years as a commissioner at the Montana Public Service Commission, including as chairman, and is a former president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.

“I have served nearly a decade previously in public service, on behalf of the people of Montana, and to join the senior executive service of the United States Government to serve the nation and this region feels like a continuation of that vocation, a calling I could not resist,” Kavulla said during the swearing-in ceremony. “In the coming months, I look forward to getting to know Bonneville’s customers, the region’s members of Congress, and our state and tribal partners. I trust you will not be circumspect about your opinions, and as anyone who knows me can attest, I value an open dialogue, a good debate, and even friendly disagreements as we together work to accomplish shared goals.”

“We have hurdles to overcome, and I am clear-eyed about the enormous task ahead of us. But I am also filled with optimism for BPA’s and the region’s future,” Kavulla added. “My confidence stems in large part from BPA’s workforce, which has a strong reputation for being highly skilled and deeply committed—driven intrinsically to succeed on behalf of the millions of people relying on you.”

Throughout his career, Kavulla has advocated for common-sense policies that deliver value for electricity consumers, including major ratemaking and cost-allocation proceedings impacting both small and large utility customers. In addition, he served on several committees and councils providing policy leadership related to transmission planning, governance and reliability.

Kavulla received a bachelor’s degree in history from Harvard University and has a master’s in history from the University of Cambridge. He is also a lecturer at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy.

A recording of the swearing-in ceremony can be found at the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0AmLb9_MVQ

A full copy of Travis Kavulla’s remarks can be found here:

https://www.bpa.gov/-/media/Aep/about/who-we-are/20260629-swearing-in-remarks-travis-kavulla.pdf

About BPA The Bonneville Power Administration is a federal non-profit power marketing administration that delivers reliable, low-cost hydropower produced in the Columbia River Basin as well as the output from the region’s only nuclear plant to communities across the Northwest. BPA also owns and operates more than 15,000 circuit miles of high-voltage transmission lines. More information about these and other activities is available on our Media Relations page.

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Repeat Sex Offender Sentenced to 27 years

for Victimizing Minors Online and Possessing Child Sex Abuse Material