Ditch burn escapes east of Bend, races across nearly seven acres before crews stop its spread
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) - The owner of a property east of Bend had a valid burn permit, but Monday's work burning ditches got away from them, sparking a fire that covered almost seven acres before it was stopped.
Bend Fire & Rescue crews were called around 3:40 p.m. to the escaped burn off the Powell Butte Highway, Bend Fire & Rescue Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said.
"The owner was out burning his ditches when the wind carried the fire past his containment and started to spread," Derlacki said.
Crews arrived and worked to stop the spread of the fire before it left the owner's property.
Bend Fire was assisted by Alfalfa Fire, Oregon Department of Forestry and BLM fire crews, as well as Deschutes County sheriff's deputies for traffic control.
The fire was stopped on the owner's property, at 6.6 acres, Derlacki said, and no damage to buildings or fences was found.
"The fire burning mostly pasture land, with a few trees, brush piles, and brush surrounding the fields burning as well," the fire official said.
Derlacki said the land owners had a current burn permit for burning fields. They were out burning ditches this afternoon, but unfortunately didn’t have all the water they should have to be prepared.
"They were following all the other rules of the permit and had called in to ensure burning was open today," he said. "With light winds predicted today, open burning was open today."
Just last week, a 2-day-old burn pile that was believed to be out rekindled in strong winds northeast of Sisters and burned nearly two acres before firefighters contained it.
Derlacki noted that burning is typically open through May 31 each year for debris and field burning outside the Bend city limits.
But he added, "That date may be moved up if we continue with the dry spring weather. Burning can be shut down from day to day when winds are predicted above 20 mph. Burn permits are needed for field burning and for large piles. This permit includes a site visit to go over safe burning practices."
In Monday's case, Derlacki said, "The owner knows to have more water on hand for next year, if they choose to burn again."
He told KTVZ News that "dry and windy conditions contribute to most escaped burns, as well as not having enough tools/water on hand in the event of an escape, or not prepping the area enough a head of time."
The Bend fire official asked that anyone with questions about burning call their office at 541-322-6386 to schedule a site visit. He also stressed that debris burning is not allowed within the Bend city limits year-round, under city ordinance.
More information on burning regulations can be found on the Bend Fire website, www.bendoregon.gov/fire and by clicking on the Outdoor Burning Information tab. You can also always call the burn information line before you burn, at 541-322-6335.
