Defensible space key in stopping brush fire near Bend

A small brush fire was stopped quickly west of Bend off Bull Springs Road Tuesday morning, in large part due to the defensible-space work done by the property owners, officials said.

The first call around 10 a.m. indicated the fire was spreading and near buildings, Bend Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said. Crews from the Oregon Department of Forestry and U.S. Forest Service joined Bend Fire in the response.

Employees from nearby stables got their portable water tank out after calling 911 and helped stop the fire’s spread before crews arrived, Derlacki said.

The fire was held at just over 1/10th of an acre and no buildings were threatened. The cause of the fire ws undetermined.

” The fire spread was kept to a minimum by the work the property owners have done in the past few years of brush clearing, trees being limbed and fuel breaks maintained, ” Derlacki said in a news release. ” This work kept the fuels available to be burned to a minimum and allowed crews the ability to stop the fire quickly. ”

” As summer progresses and fuels dry out more, this work becomes even more important, as fires move faster in the dry and hot summer days, the fire official said.

” Bend Fire Department reminds everyone that we live in areas that are threatened by wildfire every year. Take time to review your home and property for ways to prevent the spread of wildfire around your home and create a defensible space.

More information can be found at https://www.bendoregon.gov/government/departments/fire-ems/fire-and-life-safety-information/wildfire-safety.

The Bend Fire Department offers free home evaluations, and you can call them to schedule one at 541-322-6300.

” As of this week, most of Central Oregon has moved to high fire danger levels, ” Derlacki said. ” Fuels (grass, brush, trees, etc) are starting to dry out burn more readily. This is also a good reminder for anyone out in the woods or around their homes, be careful your activities don’t start any fires. Sparks from vehicles/equipment, improperly discarded cigarettes and campfires not fully extinguished are all common causes of fires that are completely preventable. ”