Bend Local Frequency: Explosion, Wildfires, and a Community Resilient

Good morning, this is your Bend Local Frequency for Saturday, August 30, 2025.

As you’re waking up in Bend, you might still be talking about yesterday’s early morning explosion that rattled homes and businesses across town. Around 5:30 a.m. on Friday, a shipping container exploded outside Kercher Electric on NE Yale Avenue. The blast, caused by a leaking oxygen-acetylene welding setup and an ignition from a nearby freezer, sent debris flying onto the Bend Parkway and caused extensive damage to several neighboring businesses. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but Kercher Electric and Arbor Builders are now tagged as do not occupy. Some local business owners, like the folks at Electric Light Barbershop and Arbor Builders, are dealing with broken windows and scattered equipment but are finding help from a supportive Bend community offering new workspaces and cleanup help. City officials are continuing their investigation, and the Oregon State Police Explosives Unit is on site to ensure there are no lingering dangers.

However, for many in Bend, the biggest impact this weekend may come from above. The Emigrant Fire in the Willamette National Forest has grown to more than sixteen thousand acres and is filling the city with a gray haze. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality advisory for the area, and many are feeling the effects. This smoke led to the cancellation of last night's Goo Goo Dolls concert at the Hayden Homes Amphitheater, disappointing fans who traveled from across the Northwest, but also reminding us that public health always comes first.

But Bend is Bend, and that means resilient community spirit and plenty of ways to make the most of the weekend. If you're looking for live music, the Summer Music Series at The Grove Market Hall picks back up tonight from six to eight. It's a free event and a perfect setting with local food trucks ready to fuel your night while you enjoy fresh tunes.

Arts and laughter also get center stage at the Bend Comedy Festival happening tonight at the Volcanic Theatre Pub. Expect a showcase of comedic talent and a chance to support local performers on the rise. Over at the Old Mill District, tonight brings Japanese Breakfast live in concert, giving you another musical option if you’re itching for a show indoors, away from the smoky skies.

Feeling adventurous? Sign up for the Ultimate Scavenger Bend Photo Hunt. Snap your way through Bend’s best sights and secret corners, finding clues and making memories all over town.

And for those planning ahead for the rest of the long weekend, don’t miss the Reggae Rise Up Oregon Festival at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond running through tomorrow. It’s a lively celebration of music, art, and community that draws people from all over Central Oregon.

Of course, with wildfire smoke in the air, everyone is reminded to check air quality indexes before spending too much time outdoors, especially if you have respiratory issues. Stay hydrated, and take breaks indoors if you need them.

Whether you’re cleaning up, listening to live music, or just getting out to try something new, Bend’s got plenty happening despite the setbacks. This has been Bend Local Frequency. We’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning. This is your Bend local frequency for Saturday,
August thirtieth, twenty twenty five. As you're waking up and Bend,
you might still be talking about yesterday's early morning explosion
that rattled homes and businesses across town. Around five thirty
am on Friday, a shipping container exploded outside Kircher Electric
on any E Yale Avenue. The blast, caused by a

(00:23):
leaking oxygen hyphen acetylene welding setup and an ignition from
a nearby freezer, sent debris flying onto the Bend Parkway
and caused extensive damage to several neighboring businesses. Thankfully, no
one was hurt, but Kercher Electric and Arbor Builders are
now tagged as do not occupy. Some local business owners,

(00:44):
like the folks at Electric Light, barber Shop and Arbor
Builders are are dealing with broken windows and scattered equipment,
but are finding help from a supportive Bend community offering
new workspaces and clean up help. City officials are continuing
their investigation, and the Oregon State eight Police Explosives Unit
is on site to ensure there are no lingering dangers. However,

(01:05):
for many in Bend, the biggest impact this weekend may
come from above. The Immigrant fire in the Willamette National
Forest has grown to more than sixteen thousand acres and
is filling the city with a gray haze. The Oregon
Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality advisory
for the area, and many are feeling the effects. This
smoke led to the cancelation of last night's Goo Goo

(01:26):
Dolls concert at the Hayden Holmes Amphitheater, disappointing fans who
traveled from across the Northwest, but also reminding us that
public health always comes first. But Bend is Bend, and
that means resilient community spirit and plenty of ways to
make the most of the weekend. If you're looking for
live music, the Summer Music Series at the Grove Market
Hall picks back up tonight from six to eight. It's

(01:49):
a free event and a perfect setting, with local food
trucks ready to fuel your night while you enjoy fresh tunes.
Arts and laughter also get center stage at the Ben
Comedy Festival, happening tonight at the Volcanic Theater Pub. Expect
a showcase of comedic talent and a chance to support
local performers on the rise. Over at the Old Mill District.
Tonight brings Japanese Breakfast live in concert, giving you another

(02:12):
musical option. If you're itching for a show indoors, away
from the smoky skies. Feeling adventurous, sign up for the
Ultimate Scavenger Ben Photo Hunt. Snap your way through Ben's
best sights in secret corners, finding clues and making memories
all over town. And for those planning ahead for the
rest of the long weekend, don't miss the Reggae Rise

(02:32):
Up Oregon Festival at the Dayshoots County Fairgrounds in Redmond,
running through tomorrow. It's a lively celebration of music, art
and community that draws people from all over Central Oregon.
Of course, with wildfire smoke in the air, everyone is
reminded to check air quality indexes before spending too much
time outdoors, especially if you have respiratory issues. Stay hydrated

(02:57):
and take breaks indoors if you need them. Whether you're
cleaning up, listening to live music, or just getting out
to try something new, Ben's got plenty happening. Despite the setbacks,
this has been Ben Local frequency. We'll see you tomorrow
with more local updates.