Fireworks Spark Blazes Across High Desert

Central Oregon firefighters were scrambling Monday night to handle a flurry of fires across the region, most apparently sparked by illegal fireworks — but some also by the big professional Fourth of July pyrotechnic displays igniting grass and brush below.

At least two significant spot fires were tackled on the slopes of Bend’s Pilot Butte during the region’s biggest fireworks show.

And in Prineville, witnesses said the rimrock above town caught fire during the city’s fireworks display, and it brought a big turnout of fire crews who spent quite some time putting it out.

But illegal fireworks ignited far more blazes than the pros, including a quarter-acre blaze off SW 76th Street in Tumalo and another reporetd near Sixth Street and Highway 97 in La Pine.

Redmond resident John Seger took and posted to YouTube his video of a fire sparked by an illegal firework that veered into the Dry Canyon behind their house, near the city’s dog park.