Burn pile, thought to be out, rekindles in high winds, races across nearly two acres NE of Sisters

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A 2-day-old burn pile that was believed to be out rekindled in Wednesday's strong winds northeast of Sisters, burning nearly two acres before crews stopped its spread.

Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District crews were dispatched around 1:25 p.m. to a wildland fire reported to be spreading into brush and trees.

It was being pushed by high winds in an area between the 17000 block of Wilt Road and Whychus Canyon Estates northeast of Sisters.

Fire crews arrived on scene and began an initial attack on both flanks of the fire. They were able to stop the forward progress at 2:27 pm, then transitioned into mopping up the blaze.

The total area burned was estimated at 1.8 acres.

"The cause of the fire is a rekindle of a burn pile from two days prior that was believed to be out," Fire Marshal Jeff Puller said in a news release.

Puller also told KTVZ News, 'No citations were issued, as this was determined to be an accidental burn and was contained on the homeowners' property."  The land owner has a permit issued by the Oregon Department of Forestry to burn on the property, he told us.

Puller offered thanks to their firefighters and partner agencies, Black Butte Ranch Fire District, Cloverdale Fire District, Sisters Ranger District, Oregon Department of Forestry, and our Fire Corps Incident Support Unit (ISU) for their response.

"Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District would like to remind homeowners; with these high winds we are experiencing; to double- and triple-check any old burn piles, to ensure they are completely out and cold to the touch," he said. "Even piles that appeared extinguished days ago can rekindle under windy conditions and quickly spread."