Escaped debris burn sparks downtown La Pine brushfire

An escaped debris burn caused a quarter-acre brushfire in downtown La Pine on Saturday afternoon before firefighters contained it, officials said Monday.

La Pine Rural Fire Protection District crews responded around 1:30 p.m. to the reported brushfire in the 16500 block of Reed Road, in La Pine’s commercial area, the agency said.

A dozen firefighters with three engines and a water tender, along with the U.S. Forest Service, stopped the fire’s advance within 10 minutes. There were no reported injuries.

The person conducting the burn earlier in the day had left the site. Fire Chief Mike Supkis said it will be up to forestry officials, who have jurisdiction, to decide if the person conducting the burn for the property owner will be cited.

The fire district reminded the community that all debris burning on private lands must have a permit, the conditions must be followed and it must be attended at all times.

They noted that the area’s weather often sees an increase in temperatures at mid-afternoon, as well as a drop in humidity and pickup in winds, causing increased fire behavior, which is what happened Saturday.

Debris pile burning on private lands in the fire district is expected to close at the end of the month for the summer wildfire season, officials said.