DRW fence fire prompts ash disposal reminder

A fire that burned a fence between two homes in Deschutes River Woods on Wednesday morning was caused by improper disposal of woodstove ashes, a Bend Fire Department investigator said.

Firefighters responded around 9:20 a.m. to the reported fire at 59728 Navajo Road, said Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki. Crews arrived to find a fence between two homes ablaze.

Derlacki said the fire was quickly knocked down, preventing it from spreading to nearby firewood sheds.

The woodstove ashes had been dumped onto a pile of pine needles against the shared wooden fence, and a fire erupted in the pile within an hour, spreading to the fence. The flames burned several sections of the fence and also melted the bumper of a nearby car, Derlacki said.

With the return of cool weather, Derlacki reminded how easily ashes from woodstoves, fireplaces and campfires can spark fires.

He reminded everyone to properly dispose of ashes in metal containers in tight-fitting lids. Once the ashes have fully cooled, they are safe to dispose of – but they should be cool to the touch throughout before being put into a trash can, burn pile or anyone with exposure to combustibles.

“Ash is a great insulator and can hold in heat for several days after being burned,” the fire official warned.