Police: Three fires set along SE Bend trail

Three separate fires were started early Sunday morning along the Larkspur Trail in southeast Bend, police and fire officials said — and they need your help to find the suspects who lit them.

Police tell us they believe the blazes were started on purpose.

They were reported early Sunday morning, and while they weren’t very large, it was still a scary situation for several neighbors.

Robyn and Dave Baker, who live close to the trail, were awakened by the sounds of a fire truck and police car near their home.

They say it took firefighters only about an hour to extinguish the flames.

Bend Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said crews were dispatched around 2 a.m. to a brushfire along the trail between Bronzewood Avenue and Myrtlewood drives, just west of the Tanglewood subdivision.

The first crew on scene found two more fires along the trail, and police also responded, Derlacki said, noting that the area of the blazes are crsis-crossed with pedestrian trails.

Firefighters quickly doused all three fires and kept them from spreading, the largest growing to about 600 square feet in size, Derlacki said.

On Sunday morning, the Bakers saw the remnants of the fire, and they say they’re relieved it wasn’t any worse.

They also say they’re thankful that someone called it in and crews worked quickly to put it out.

“Whoever turned in this alarm and responded, thank you so much,” Robyn said. We just live in fear of fire this time of year. And for them to have caught this so quickly, when it could have been a disaster, is great.”

Anyone with any information about the fires was asked to contact police through the 911 non-emergency number, (541) 693-6911. You can also call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-877-876-TIPS. You can remain anonymous, and you could be eligible for a cash reward.