Shevlin Fire helicopters used Tumalo reservoir water

During Thursday’s fight to stop the Shevlin Fire, crews dipped for water in a Tumalo Irrigation District reservoir. When looking for water in a fire emergency, proximity is key.

“Yesterday, we saw the smoke plumes and we thought, ‘Oh no! It looks like another Two Bulls,'” property owner Brianna Cadwell said Friday.

Like any wildfire, the 10-acre fire that broke out in Shevlin Park had fire officials searching for the closest large body of water they could safely dip helicopter water buckets out of.

“This is the closest to the fire,” said Ken Rieck, district manager for the Tumalo Irrigation District.

The reservoir is one of many in the district, and one of two located on the private land northwest of Bend.

“I got a text message at about 6 o’clock last night that said, be ready to add more water in here if we need to,” Rieck said.

The body of water serves two purposes. First, it holds 12 percent of the Tumalo Irrigation District’s water, coming straight from Tumalo Creek.

The second intended purpose is to serve as a private water ski lake. It’s an issue that is controversial in the neighborhood.

But that simmering land-use debate is put on the back burner when homes are at risk from fire.

“No warning, but that’s totally fine by us, we’re happy to help,” Cadwell said.

Fire officials were able to drop in without warning because they have an agreement with both parties involved to take the water when an emergency strikes.

It’s a priceless resource when fighting fast-moving flames.

“No, we wouldn’t charge for fire water in an emergency, we deliver it,” Rieck said.

Pilots took at least 20 loads of water from the reservoir. One day after the fire broke out, it’s contained — flames gone and smoke cleared.