No cause determined for small brushfire east of Bend

Bend fire investigators said Wednesday a small brushfire tackled off Hamby and Neff roads east of Bend Sunday night was likely human-caused, but they could not determine if it was accidental or intentional.

Firefighters were called out to tackle the fast-moving brushfire reported off Hamby Road east of Bend that closed a nearby stretch of Neff Road and burned about 1 1/2 acres in an area frequented by transients

The first reports of a fire came shortly after 8 p.m. on vacant land off the southwest corner of Hamby and Neff roads, between Neff and Highway 20E.

Bend Fire Battalion Chief Jeff Blake said the fire was difficult to access and burned about 1 1/2 acres before nearly 20 firefighters were able to stop forward progress.

“There were several trees that were torching, contributing to 50- to 75-foot flame lengths,” he said in a news release.

Bend firefighters were aided by Bend police, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies and the U.S. Forest Service, Blake said, adding that the land’s ownership had not been confirmed.

There no reports of any injuries, evacuations or threatened structures. But Neff Road was closed between Glacier Ridge and Hamby roads for a time, and sheriff’s deputies urged people to avoid the area if possible.

“No direct cause was able to be determined on the brush fire on Bend’s east side Sunday night,” Bend Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said Wednesday in a news release. “The fire is most likely human-caused, but we were unable to ascertain if it was unintentional or intentional in nature.”

“We remind everyone that we live in areas prone to wildfire, whether you live inside the city or our, on the west side or east side,” Derlacki added.

“Good defensible space around your home can be the difference in protecting your home from the threat of a wildfire. Take some time to evaluate your home’s defense and make improvements that could save your home.

“Bend Fire Department offers free home consultations to help occupants identify ways to improve their property, just call 541-322-6309 to schedule an appointment.”