Small wildfire fought northwest of Sunriver

Crews worked on the ground and from the air to douse a small fire burning northwest of Sunriver Saturday evening, police said.

In an email sent out shortly before 8 p.m., police Sgt. Joe Patnode said crews were fighting the fire, about a half-acre in size and located near forest roads 41 and 4130, across the Deschutes River from the resort community

“From the limited information available at this time, it appears as though the fire was human-caused,” Patnode said. He added that Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch and U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement were actively investigating the blaze.

“At this time, the fire is burning in pine litter with a low spread potential,” Patnode wrote. “You will hear helicopters working in the area, as they work to extinguish the fire. “

“If you have a view of this area from your home,” you will see smoke,” he said, promising to offer updates as more information becomes available.