Crews stop brush fire that threatened homes SW of Redmond

(Update: Final fire size 10 acres)

A brush fire broke out on BLM land southwest of Redmond and east of the Deschutes River Sunday afternoon, prompting some Level 2 evacuation warnings for nearby homes and the call-up of a retardant plane and two water-dropping helicopters that helped crews on the ground stop its spread.

The Jaguar Fire was reported at 3:19 p.m. off the west end of SW Jaguar Avenue, east of the Deschutes River, and had grown to an estimated eight acres in less than an hour amid warm temperatures and blustery winds, officials said. The final fire size was estimated at 10 acres.

Redmond Fire Marshal Traci Cooper said Central Oregon fire managers had called up crews and other resources, including a retardant drop and two water-dropping helicopters to assist crews on the ground from Redmond, Cloverdale, the U.S. Forest Service and BLM.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said forward progress of the fire had been stopped by about 4:30 p.m. Earlier, residents were advised by 911 calls of a Level 2 evacuation and to be ready to leave homes quickly on the south side of Jaguar Avenue, between the west end and 58th Place.

Cooper said later strong winds blew the fire to the south before they shifted to the southeast.

No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation, Cooper said.

Sheriff’s deputies helped with traffic control and Oregon State Police also assisted, while Bend firefighters staffed a Redmond fire station during the fire.