Tumalo house fire causes extensive damage, no injuries reported

TUMALO, Ore. (KTVZ) — A house fire in the Tumalo area Sunday afternoon caused significant damage to a home and nearby vegetation, but no injuries were reported.

Shortly after 2:30 p.m. on May 24, multiple 911 callers reported a residential fire on 76th Street. Crews from Bend Fire & Rescue arrived to find a split-level home heavily involved in flames, with fire spreading into adjacent brush and trees.

Neighbors on either side of the home used garden hoses to try to keep nearby vegetation from igniting and prevent the fire from spreading.

Firefighters were able to quickly knock down the flames, but full extinguishment took longer due to the extent of the fire and the lack of fire hydrants in the area.

No one was home at the time of the fire. The American Red Cross is assisting displaced residents.

Damage is estimated at $500,000 to the structure and $75,000 to its contents.

Mutual aid was provided by Cloverdale Fire District, Redmond Fire & Rescue, and the Oregon Department of Forestry.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Fire officials also emphasize the importance of wildfire preparedness as fire season approaches. Residents are encouraged to prepare emergency supplies, including food, water, medications and important documents, and to have a communication plan in place. Officials say people should evacuate promptly when advised.

More information on wildfire preparedness is available through Bend Fire & Rescue’s “Own Your Zone” program online.