Structure Fire At 65425 76th Street In Tumalo On 03/20/26 (Photo) - 03/21/26

**UPDATE**

The cause of the fire at 65425 76th Street in Tumalo was determined to be accidental in nature, and caused by a fuel leak and subsequent backfire from a vehicle parked in the 1,600 square foot shop structure.  The shop and contents, including two classic vehicles and a motorized scooter, were a total loss.  A nearby travel trailer was also heavily damaged.  Losses are estimated at $100,000 for the structure and $120,000 for the contents and adjacent travel trailer.  

As we get closer to wildfire season, it's time for a reminder that defensible space is important for not just your home, but other structures on your property as well.  Trees and other vegetation close to the shop allowed the fire to spread towards other homes in the area but was stopped quickly by fire crews.  Now is a good time to evaluate your property and take steps to reduce the risk from wildfire.  Simple measures such as removing bark mulch and vegetation within 5 feet of the foundation can help to protect structures from the threat of wildfire.  For more information on wildfire preparedness and home hardening, visit https://bendoregon.gov/departments/public-safety/fire-rescue/community-resources-programs/own-your-zone/

At 5:11 pm on Friday, March 20, multiple 911 callers reported a structure fire on 76th Street in the Tumalo area.  The fire was highly visible from the Highway 97 and Tumalo Road areas.  First arriving Bend fire crews found a fully involved detached shop building with fire spreading to adjacent brush and trees.  The residence on the property, as well as other detached structures, were not impacted by the fire.  With mutual aid assistance from both Cloverdale Fire District and Redmond Fire, the fire was knocked down quickly.  Assistance was also provided by the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office.  Crews remain on scene as of 8:00 pm mopping up and monitoring for hot spots.  76th Street is blocked at this time north of Limestone as numerous units are still on scene and the public is asked to avoid the area.  

The fire is under investigation at this time and an updated media release will be sent when the investigation is complete.

Central Oregon Wildfire Educators Group Strengthens Regional Wildfire Preparedness Through Unified Outreach And Collaboration (Photo) - 03/19/26

The Central Oregon Wildfire Educators Group (COWEG), created in 2022 under the Central Oregon Fire Prevention Co-Op, is proud to highlight years of momentum in wildfire preparedness, education, and community collaboration across the region. Bringing together city, county, state, federal, and private‑land wildfire educators, the group continues to deliver a unified, consistent message of how to live in a fire‑adapted community within the Central Oregon landscape, where fire is a natural part of the environment.

Empowering Central Oregonians Through Education

In 2025, COWEG delivered wildfire preparedness education and outreach programs throughout Central Oregon, helping thousands of residents better understand critical pillars of wildfire readiness:

• Defensible Space: How to reduce flammable vegetation and materials around the home, while considering other goals (landscape aesthetics, wildlife, privacy, and invasive plants).
• Home Hardening: Practical steps to strengthen structures against ember intrusion.
• Evacuation preparedness: Ensuring families know when and how to leave safely.
• Smoke Readiness: How to protect yourself and loved ones from the health impacts of smoke

These efforts equip residents with the knowledge, confidence, and motivation to take concrete steps toward reducing wildfire risk on their own properties. For information on free Wildfire Home Protection Strategies Workshops, go to https://centraloregonfire.org/whps/

Collaboration at the Core

COWEG’s strength lies in its partnership model. Members include local fire and government agencies, public health, community groups, tribal partners, and nonprofit organizations; all learning from one another through ongoing collaboration. The group works as a regional amplification network, ensuring that each organization’s wildfire preparedness efforts have a broader reach and unified message.

Working together, the group distributes educational materials, supports community wildfire awareness events, and promotes Fire Adapted Communities principles throughout Central Oregon.  By connecting these efforts, COWEG ensures that residents hear clear, consistent guidance no matter where they live or which agency they interact with.

Supporting Natural Resource Protection and Prescribed Fire

A core strength of COWEG is its commitment to protecting Central Oregon’s natural resources. The group supports prescribed fire tactics and uses across the region, an essential practice for returning fire back to the landscape as both a cultural and ecological necessity. COWEG’s commitment to provide technical assistance and support for private landowners is fundamental for restoring ecosystem resilience and reducing the risk of high‑severity wildfires.

Annual Wildfire Preparedness Fairs Across the Region

Every year, COWEG hosts Wildfire Preparedness Fairs across the region. These free community events bring together experts, families, and partners to:

• Share educational resources
• Demonstrate wildfire readiness practices
• Provide hands‑on learning opportunities for adults and kids
• Celebrate the progress Central Oregon communities are making

With hundreds of participants attending annually, these fairs help strengthen community resilience and inspire property owners to take meaningful action.

Upcoming Wildfire Preparedness Fairs:

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

5:00 – 8:00 pm

Sisters High School, 1700 W McKinney Butte Road, Sisters, OR

Saturday, April 11, 2026

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Wilco Parking Lot, 154 NW Saint Charles Way, Prineville, OR

Saturday, April 11, 2026

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

La Pine High School, 51622 Coach Road, La Pine, OR

Thursday, April 16, 2026

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

SHARC, 57250 Overlook Road, Sunriver, OR

Saturday, May 9, 2026

10:00 am – 1:00 pm

COCC – Wille Hall, 2600 NW College Way, Bend, OR

Wednesday, May 20^th, 2026

5:00pm -7:00pm

Jefferson County Fire and EMS Station, 765 S 5^th Street, Madras, OR

Connecting the Dots of the Fire Adapted Communities Model

A core part of COWEG’s mission is helping residents understand how all components of the Fire Adapted Communities Wheel fit together—from response agencies and land management to home preparedness, community planning, evacuation readiness, and recovery. A fire-adapted community is a knowledgeable, engaged, and resilient community that understands its wildfire risk and takes collaborative action to safely coexist with wildland fire. (FACNET)The group serves as a bridge, showing how each part contributes to a safer, more resilient Central Oregon.

For more information on Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network, visit https://fireadaptednetwork.org/

Creative Outreach for All Ages

To improve access to wildfire education, COWEG also develops creative public service announcements and video content tailored for all age groups. These media projects bring important messages to life and help families start conversations that lead to action. To inspire the future leaders and members of our communities, the group also collaborates on school visits and engaging events for kids.

A Unified Voice for a Wildfire‑Resilient Future

The Central Oregon Wildfire Educators Group remains committed to building genuine, lasting connections with community and organizations across the region. With a united voice and shared vision, the group continues to work toward community resilience, strengthen partnerships, and empower Central Oregonians to live safely with wildfire.

To get your organization involved or for more information, please contact:

Melissa Steele, Bend Fire & Rescue, Co-Chair of COWEG msteele@bendoregon.gov

Ariel Cowan, OUS Extension, Co-Chair of COWEG ariel.cown@oregonstate.edu

Escapedf Field Burn East Of Bend 3-16-26 (Photo) - 03/16/26

Bend Fire & Rescue was called to an escaped field burn this afternoon off of Powell Butte Hwy. The owner was out burning his ditches when the wind carried the fire past his containment and started to spread. Fire crews arrived and worked to stop the spread of the fire before it left the owners property. Bend Fire was assisted by Alfalfa Fire, ODF and BLM fire resources as well as DSCO for traffic control. The fire was stopped on their property at 6.6 acres. No damage to buildings or fences as found. The fire burning mostly pasture land with a few trees, brush piles, and brush surrounding the fields burning as well.

The owners have a current burn permit for burning fields. They were out burning ditches this afternoon but unfortunately didn’t have all the water they should have to be prepared. They were following all the other rules of the permit and had called into to ensure burning was open today. With light winds predicted today, open burning was open today.

Burning is open through May 31^st each year for debris and field burning outside the city limits. This date may be moved up if we continue with the dry spring weather. Burning can be shut down from day to day when winds are predicted above 20mph. Burn permits are needed for field burning and for large piles. This permit includes a site visit to go over safe burning practices. The owner knows to have more water on hand for next year if they choose to burn again.

If you have any questions about burning, please call our office at 541-322-6386 to schedule a site visit. Debris burning is not allowed within the city limits of Bend year-round as per city ordinance. More information on burning regulations can be found on our website, www.bendoregon.gov/fire and by clicking on the Outdoor Burning Informaiton tab. Always call the burn information before you burn at 541-322-6335.

Garage Fire Displaces Family In Bend 3-10-26 (Photo) - 03/11/26

Bend Fire & Rescue was called to a fire in a garage in the 700 block of SE Douglas, just off Wilson Ave at 10:43 pm 3/10/26. The occupants were alerted to the fire by their smoke alarms and were able to evacuate safely and call 911 when the fire was still small. A quick response to the scene allowed the fire crews to keep the fire from spreading much beyond the single car garage.

The cause was linked to woodstove ashes being disposed of into the trash inside the garage. The fire spread to the contents of the garage and was just starting to get into the house when fire crews extinguished it. Red Cross was called to provide assistance for the family as the house is unsafe to stay in for now. The renters and owners both have insurance to help rebuild. The loss is estimated at $50,000 to the building and contents. 

It is important to dispose of hot ashes from wood burning appliances correctly. Best practice is to first let ashes cool in the burning appliance for 2-3 days before taking them out. Then when they have cooled significantly place them in a non-combustible container, such as a sturdy metal container with metal lid and leaving in the container, 10 feet away from any combustibles, until completely cool and extinguished. This can take multiple days or even weeks. Ashes taken out of a wood burning appliance can remain hot enough to ignite combustibles for 4 – 7 days, in some cases even longer, after they have been removed from the source. Even though they may not be smoking or feel hot to the touch, hot embers may be deep inside of ash and remain hot enough to support combustion. Never place hot ashes in a plastic or combustible container or near combustible materials prior to ensuring complete extinguishment.  

Working smoke alarms saved this family and lessened the damage to the house. Bend Fire & Rescue had helped the occupants of this house in late 2025 check their alarms and ensure they were working properly. This proactive work by the occupants ensured they were working in case of a fire. And tonight, that simple step helped save their lives. If you need assistance with your smoke alarms, call Bend Fire & Rescue at 541-322-6386 for free assistance in checking and installing your alarms. Last year Bend Fire & Rescue helped hundreds of families install 1,500 smoke alarms they purchased for their homes. If you don’t live in the Bend area, check with your local fire department or the Central/Eastern Oregon Chapter of the Red Cross at 541-382-2142 for assistance.