Bend Fire & Recuse was dispatched to a reported brush fire along the Deschutes River, just down stream of the 1st Street Rapids. Witnesses saw smoke and flames at the bottom of the cliff behind the homes on NW Rivermist Dr. BPD officers arrived first and assisted locating the best access to the fire. The fire was quicky stopped and kept to an area of 30x50ft of brush on the flat areas near the river, luckily not spreading up the hill at all.
USFS and ODF crews arrived to assist on the fire. Crews remained on scene for an hour ensuring the fire was completely extinguished. An old fallen tree was cut up to ensure it wasn’t smoldering before crews left. The fire is considered human caused but no specific cause was found. There were no signs of camping or encampments in the area. The trail through the fire area is heavily used by hikers and swimmers. A carelessly disposed of cigarette or other hot ashes can’t be ruled out as a cause.
This fire highlighted a reminder to ensure you have good defensible space around your home, even if you live in the center of town. Piles of dry yard debris, thick brush and wood piles near decks were noted around homes near this fire. If an ember had come up the hill from this fire it could have easily ignited the dry vegetation and spread the fire to homes. More information about how to create that defensible space can be found at www.bendoregon.gov/own-your-