Fierce Powell Butte fire burns home, shop-barn

A fierce fire in Powell Butte Monday afternoon put up a tall column of black and gray smoke and burned a home, barn and several outbuildings as firefighting crews from several agencies fought to contain it, authorities said.

Crook County Fire Marshal Casey Kump said crews responded to the blaze around 1:30 p.m. on Riggs Road, between Copley and Reif Roads, initially reported as a wildfire threatening structures. They arrived to find several structures and vehicles on fire and the flames threatening several others.

Kump later said the residence and a barn-garage also were hit by the fire, as he headed to the scene to investigate the fire’s cause.

There were reports of explosions and Kump said that likely involved oxy-acetylene welding equipment or other farm equipment.

Crook County firefighters were assisted on mutual aid by Redmond Fire and Oregon Department of Forestry crews.

Crook County sheriff’s deputies were involved in traffic control in the area, east of the Powell Butte Highway.

We’ll have more details as they become available.