Investigator: Small wildfire south of Bend human-caused

U.S. Forest Service crews were back on the lines Tuesday, mopping up a 10-acre wildfire that broke out Monday afternoon south of Bend, a couple of miles off China Hat Road.

According to Kevin Cahill, a Forest Service assistant engine captain, the fire was human-caused reportedly from the weekend.

“An investigation was performed, and they determined it was a campfire that escaped,” Cahill said.

“The campfire was not extinguished correctly,” he added. “Largely was just piled with dirt, and with the lower RH’s (relative humidity) and slight breeze, it was able to creep out of there.”

Cahill said simply throwing dirt to extinguish a campfire poses a huge risk. He said there is a correct way to be safe.

“With a tool or a stick, pour water on it and then stir it, and with the back of your hand, feel it and make sure there’s no heat,” Cahill said.

Since Central Oregon conditions are still fairly dry, despite a better winter, the fire spread quickly, officials said.

“An hour or so, we there we were getting six- to eight-(foot) flame lengths off the brush,” Cahill said.

It’s a reminder that since weather conditions are warmer, more recreational activities will be happening — and everyone should be careful when putting out their campfires.

“It does seem a little early to start worrying about these things,” Cahill said. “But it certainly looks like the direction we’re going in this spring.”