Human-caused wildfire by Little Lava Lake contained at 14 acres

(Update: Fire 10% contained)

(Update: Late afternoon size estimate, helicopters also working blaze)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A wildfire that broke out last Thursday on the eastern shore of Little Lava Lake was contained at 14 acres over the weekend, U.S. Forest Service officials said.

The Little Lava Lake fire, estimated initially at three acres, was reported shortly after noon Thursday near the eastern shoreline of Little Lava Lake, about 25 miles southwest of Bend, and quickly drew a strong firefighter response, growing to about eight acres by late Thursday afternoon, a Forest Service spokeswoman said.

The fire was determined to be human-caused, but the specific cause remains under investigation, officials said Tuesday.

Deschutes National Forest Public Affairs Officer Jean Nelson-Dean said Thursday two engine crews, a Hotshot crew and a 10-person crew were headed to the scene, while the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office sent a Marine Patrol unit to assess the situation.

In a 4 p.m., update, officials said the Little Lava Lake Fire was estimated at eight acres, burning in a meadow and heavy timber. The crews were being supported by several engines and a Type 1 and Type 3 helicopter, cooling hot spots and moderating fire behavior.

By 7:30 p.m., officials said the fire was 10% contained.

Nelson-Dean said, although she noted that fuels are still dry in the area. She urged people to still be very careful with campfires and other fire sources, despite the cooler temperatures and recent rainfall, due to the still-dry fuels.