Illegal Burns Keep Redmond Fire Crews On Run

While Bend firefighters battled a wind-whipped blaze beside the Bend Parkway, Redmond fire crews tackled three illegal burns that spread fast in Tuesday?s blustery conditions — the first set to burn an anthill, officials said.

The blaze broke out shortly before noon at 3278 NE 33rd St., and the first crews to arrive found flames burning in grass and brush, spreading toward two structures, said Fire Marshal Traci Cooper.

Firefighters contacted a second home to warn them of the blaze, but due to the fire?s quick dousing, no evacuations were needed and there were no injuries, Cooper said.

That fire burned less than an acre, she added.

Redmond Fire and Rescue responded to two more illegal burns Tuesday afternoon, one of which turned into a brushfire that also moved toward structures, the fire marshal said. Again, crews stopped the fire?s advance before any evacuations were needed, and that blaze also was held to less than an acre.

?If the winds had been stronger today, the outcome of these fires could have been very different,? Cooper said in a news release, reminding everyone that outdoor burning is closed in Deschutes County.

?Individuals who are illegally burning could be held response for any damage their fire causes, suppression costs and be charged criminally,? she added.

Cooper also reminded residents to maintain a defensible space around their properties, in the event of fire. You can find more information on the firefree.org Website, she said.