Tumalo home to burn Monday in fire-training drill

Bend Fire & Rescue will be conducting a live fire training exercise on Monday, burning a structure donated to the department for training.

The purpose of this exercise is to provide the most realistic training environment for our firefighters by using a structure scheduled to be demolished and burning it in carefully controlled phases during the course of the exercise. The structure that will be burned meets safety and environmental criteria.

Residents should expect to see smoke and flames near Tumalo Reservoir Road and Pinehurst Road on Monday. The exercise will begin at approximately 9:00 am, and will conclude by early evening.

An engine crew will periodically return to monitor the site for several hours after the conclusion of the training.

This exercise is the culmination of many weeks of training for 10 new Bend firefighter/paramedics, as well as a joint training exercise with Sunriver and Redmond fire departments.

Assistance will also be provided by Tumalo Irrigation District, Deschutes County Public Works, the US Forest Service, and the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Citizens with questions should contact Bend Fire & Rescue at 541 322-6309.