Brushfire caught fast on BLM land E. of Redmond

A brushfire ignited on BLM land east of the Redmond Airport on Sunday burning several acres before fire fighters put it out.

About 30 Redmond Fire and Forest Service firefighters responded with multiple engines and tankers.

The fire broke out on Bureau of Land Management property south of Highway 126, used by the Oregon Army National Guard’s Biak Training Center, said Lisa Clark of the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center in Prineville.

“We’re throwing the world at it,” Clark said minutes later.

Two Oregon Department of Forestry and two BLM engines were dispatched, along with a 10-member hand crew and water-dropping helicopter, assisted by Redmond Fire and Biak crews.

The first crews to arrive reported the fire was about a half-mile east of the airport, moving slowly to the south on the west side of the North Unit Irrigation District Canal, between the canal and a dirt road.

In less than an hour, Clark said crews on scene were reporting it was “pretty well knocked down,” though they would be on scene for some time, making sure it was out.

No word yet on the cause of the fire, but officials said it was highly likely it was human caused, as there has been no recent lightning in the area.

Residents who live a couple miles from the blaze told NewsChannel 21 that the land is a heavily used area.

Area neighbor David Anderson said he was out mowing the grass outside his home when he spotted the smoke and called 911 around noon.

He and his family then went to check out the fire and watch firefighters battle the flames.

“People like to come out here and mess around with their toys and truck and guns,” said neighbor David Anderson. “And sometimes they’re very careless on what they do and don’t pay attention, and this is what happens.”