Firefighters douse brush fire off Bear Creek Road east of Bend, believed to be from smoldering lightning strike
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Bend and Alfalfa firefighters put out a brush fire in the woods near Bear Creek Road east of Bend Tuesday afternoon that investigators said apparently was caused by a lightning strike to a tree that had been smoldering but was not previously spotted in the area’s smoky skies.
Bend Fire & Rescue crews responded around 3:40 p.m. to a smoke investigation in the 23000 block of Bear Creek Road, Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said.
The first crews to arrive saw smoke coming from an area of trees and brush about 300 yards south of Bear Creek Road. Derlacki said they walked into the area and found a quarter-acre fire burning along an irrigation canal.
The Alfalfa Fire Department also responded to assist. A total of three brush engines, a structural engine, two water tenders and associated command rigs were called to the scene, Derlacki said.
Around the same time, Bend Fire & Rescue also was dispatched to a reported illegal open burn at Butler Market and Silvis roads, also east of the city, the fire official said.
Crews found the occupants burning a large pile of yard debris. Derlacki said they were ordered to put out the fire as resources were diverted to the brush fire.
"Both of these incidents are a good reminder that we are not out of fire season yet," Derlacki said in a news release.
"Despite the cooler weather heading our way it is still very dry out and susceptible to fire," he said. "All debris burning is banned currently. We do not anticipate debris burning for some time. Check with your local fire agency before igniting any sort of fire, to be sure it is allowed."
