Bird’s transformer encounter sparks brush fire east of Bend; Alfalfa Fire crews stop it at a half-acre

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A bird met its unfortunate demise in an encounter with a Central Electric Co-Op transformer east of Bend on Tuesday morning, sparking a brush fire that was stopped at a half-acre and 10 feet from a structure by Alfalfa Fire District crews.

The fire was reported around 9:45 a.m. in the 62700 block of Juniper Road, Fire Chief Chad LaVallee said.

The bird hit the transformer and caused an arcing that sparked the fire, LaVallee said.

Crews had the fire’s forward progress stopped within 15 minutes of arriving, 10 feet from a shop and another 20 feet to a home.