Fire destroys shop, sparks brushfire NE of Redmond

Authorities are looking for the cause of a fire northeast of Redmond Saturday evening that destroyed a shop and boat, causing $150,000 in losses, and sparked a brushfire that crews were able to stop at less than a quarter-acre.

Firefighters were called around 6:35 p.m. to the property at 4980 NE O’Neil Way and arrived to find the 10-by-40foot shop and 23-foot boat fully involved, with nearby brush, trees and various items of small equipment on fire, said Redmond Fire Marshal Traci Cooper.

More than a dozen firefighters, three engines, two brush trucks and a water tender were called out, at first stopping the brushfire spread, then making sure the fire in the structure and equipment was fully out, Cooper said.

There were no injuries, she said, adding that the cause of the fire was undetermined.

Mutual assistance was provided by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, BLM and Forest Service, while Crooked River Ranch and Bend firefighters provided mutual-aid coverage in the Redmond district, Cooper said.