Bend teen charged in River Trail brushfire

A 15-year-old Bend boy who admitted lighting fireworks that ignited a brushfire during the Balloons Over Bend “nightglow” just over a week ago faces reckless burning and other charges, police said Monday.

Onlookers first tackled the fire that Bend police and fire also responded to the evening of Friday, July 19 along the Deschutes River Trail, across the river from Farewell Bend Park, said Lt. Chris Carney.

The fire was doused relatively quickly and apparently caused no injuries but was a frightening few moments for the crowed gathered to view the yearly event.

Several witnesses told police they saw four juveniles running from the area as the fire began to spread, Carney said.

Based on witness information, police were able to contact the Bend teen who admitting to lighting fireworks that started the blaze, he said.

The juveniles reportedly were smoking marijuana near the rock cliff, in the area the fire began, the officer said, adding that they fled without notifying anyone about the blaze.

When the teen was interviewed, he also was found to possess a concealed weapon (a dagger) and to have marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, Carney said.

The teen, who police did not identify, is accused of reckless burning, reckless endangering, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school.

The lieutenant said the case has been referred to the Deschutes County Juvenile Department and the investigation is continuing, as two more juveniles have yet to be contacted.