Stalled car sparks Bend Parkway median brushfire
A driver on the Bend Parkway pulled onto the median after the engine died Saturday afternoon — but that turned out to be a bad choice, as it sparked a fire in dry vegetation that eventually consumed the car and caused a major traffic tie-up, officials said.
Firefighters responded around 2:10 p.m. to the reported vehicle fire in the median just north of the Revere Avenue off-ramp, said Capt. Andy Hood.
When crews arrived, not only was the Mazda RX-7 fully involved, but the vegetation in the median was as well, Hood said.
The fire captain said the driver had pulled into the median after the engine quit due to an alternator or battery issue. He then left to get a tow truck — and when he left, it wasn’t burning.
The hot exhaust or catalytic converter came in contact with the dry grass or brush beneath the car and it ignited, which spread into the engine compartment and eventually consumed the car, Hood said.
The parkway was closed for about a half-hour while fire crews did their work, then reopened to one lane each way for a period thereafter.
Hood said the driver was not on scene when crews arrived, so they’re unsure why he parked on the median, rather than pull over to the right shoulder.
The fire captain reminded drivers that working on or near a road is one of the most dangerous things first responders do. He reminded drivers to pay attention to the road and what is in front of you to avoid secondary accidents.
