Brush Fire near apartments quickly contained by Bend Fire & Rescue

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Fire & Rescue crews quickly contained a brush fire Thursday afternoon that broke out near the Stillwater Crossing apartments on the city’s south side, holding it to one-tenth of an acre and preventing any damage to nearby structures.

The fire was reported around 4 p.m., with multiple callers indicating flames were spreading through brush and trees in an area close to homes and buildings. Firefighters arrived promptly and were able to halt the fire’s progress just as it began moving into heavier vegetation.

The fire primarily burned in pine needle duff beneath trees, officials said. No homes were directly threatened, with the nearest structure more than 100 feet from the flames.

Fire crews determined the blaze started on private land just north of the apartment complex, near Romaine Village Drive. While investigators concluded the fire was human-caused, they were unable to pinpoint an exact source. There were no signs of natural or accidental ignition sources such as lightning or downed power lines, and no encampments were found in the area.

As fire danger in Central Oregon rises heading into the summer months, Bend Fire officials are urging residents to take steps now to protect their homes by creating defensible space.

More information on wildfire preparedness is available at www.bendoregon.gov/own-your-zone.