Latest windstorm raises fire danger, despite wet weather; Bend Fire has tips

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)-- It's no secret, very high winds have been battering Central Oregon this week. In some areas, winds reached up to 40 mph, and it's keeping our firefighters busy.

Fallen power lines, trees and fire danger are all factors firefighters prepare for when winds pick up speed.

Bend Fire says it has not received an influx in calls due to the recent windstorm, but as residents continue pile burning and with windy weather continuing, they have some tips. 

"Even if it is a little bit wet outside, it's not going to be as fast. But it is a potential. And there's also the smoke. It's going to blow up (into) other people's houses," Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said Thursday. "And that's why we ask people to pay attention to the weather."

"We didn't quite get the wind we were expecting. But the potential is there throughout the rest of time," he added.