Brush Fire Along Tumalo Rd 5-4-26 (Photo) - 05/04/26

Bend and Redmond Fire Departments were called to a brush fire along Tumalo Rd between Valeview and 92^nd. Callers reported a fire along the north side of Tumalo Rd stretching for hundreds of yards. The first arriving fire engine from the Tumalo fire station found many neighbors and passerby’s out with shovels and hoses attempting to stop the fire from spreading. Three brush engines from Bend and one from Redmond completed the extinguishment and prevented any further spread. The fire was contained at just under ¼ mile long with a total area of less than an acre burned. Several fences were damaged, but no homes or vehicles were damaged. Tumalo Rd was shut down for 30 minutes during the fire with DCSO providing traffic control. 

The fire was likely caused by hot debris from a passing vehicle traveling west on Tumalo Rd towards Old Bend Redmond Highway. Hot debris such as parts of a failing break or catalytic converter can cause these types of fires.

With fire season upon us much earlier than normal, it’s a good reminder to check your vehicle and trailer before traveling. Even this early in the year the vegetation along the roadway is dry enough that a hot piece of material off a vehicle can start a fire. As we dry out as we get further into summer it will take less and less to start these types of fires. Ensure you catalytic converter is in good shape, breaks are in good condition, and no chains or metal drag from your vehicle or trailer that can spread sparks into the dry brush along the roadway.  

Structure Fire At Suntree Village Mobile Home Park On 5/2/26 (Photo) - 05/02/26

At 5:58 pm on Saturday, May 2 2026, multiple 911 callers reported a structure fire in the Suntree Village Mobile Home Park.  Initial reports were of a single home on fire, with explosions heard.  The first fire units arrived on scene at 6:04 pm, finding the fire had spread to a second residence.  Crews were able to quickly knock down the flames, both fires were contained within 35 minutes and the last units cleared the scene at 7:42 pm.  One home is a complete loss, the second home sustained minor damage.  The homeowner declined Red Cross assistance.  

Upon investigation, it was found that the fire originated on the front porch of the home that was a complete loss.  Smoking materials were improperly discarded into a plastic trash can with other waste material, which then ignited.  The fire spread to adjacent propane tanks for a grill, which caused the explosions reported by 911 callers.

According to the Oregon State Fire Marshal, an average of 11 people in our state die each year from fires caused by smoking materials such as cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco.  Bend Fire & Rescue would like to remind the community that it is important for smokers to know the steps to take to keep themselves, their families, and their communities safe.  While smoking outside is generally considered safer than indoors, discarding these materials into vegetation, planter boxes, bark mulch, or trash cans can lead to a fire.  Always discard materials into non-combustible containers that are placed away from anything that can burn.  For more safety information, visit the City of Bend website at https://bendoregon.gov/departments/public-safety/fire-rescue/community-resources-programs/#resources

REMINDER: Outdoor Debris Burning Closes Tonight For The Bend Area / RECORDATORIO: Está Suspendido Esta Noche La Quema De Residuos Al Aire Libre En La Zona De Bend (Photo) - 04/30/26

Bend Fire & Rescue, in conjunction with the Central Oregon Fire Chiefs Association, reminds you that outdoor debris burning will close tonight for the Bend area.

Outdoor debris burning will be open as conditions allow in the rural areas surrounding Bend until midnight tonight, Thursday, April 30. Debris burning is not allowed within Bend city limits, per City of Bend Ordinance.

Backyard fires, which include warming fires, campfires and cooking fires are typically allowed year-round in the city of Bend and the surrounding areas covered by Deschutes County Rural Fire Protection District #2, when following Bend Fire & Rescue burning regulations. Additional restrictions can be placed on campfires during peak temperatures to reduce fire risk.

Please check restrictions every time you burn by calling the Bend area information hotline at 541-322-6335. Learn more about burn regulations and permitting at bendoregon.gov/burninginfo.

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El Departamento de bomberos y rescate de Bend, con la colaboración con la Central Oregon Fire Chiefs Association (Asociación de jefes de bomberos del centro de Oregon), anunció que el jueves se prohibirá la quema de residuos al aire libre en la zona de Bend.

Se permitirá la quema de residuos al aire libre, siempre que las condiciones lo permitan, en las zonas rurales de los alrededores de Bend hasta la medianoche esta noche del jueves 30 de abril. Según la normativa municipal de la ciudad de Bend, está prohibido quemar residuos dentro de los límites de la ciudad.

Por lo general, las fogatas en jardines de casa, como las fogatas para calentarse, los fogones y los fuegos para cocinar, están autorizados durante todo el año en la ciudad de Bend y en las zonas circundantes que abarca el Departamento de protección contra incendios n.º 2 de Deschutes, siempre que se respeten las normas sobre quema de residuos del Departamento de bomberos y rescate de Bend. Pueden imponerse restricciones adicionales a las fogatas durante las horas de mayor calor para reducir el riesgo de incendio.

Puede averiguar las restricciones cada vez que vaya a encender una fogata al llamar a la línea de información de la zona de Bend, al 541-322-6335. Para obtener más información sobre la normativa y los permisos para quemas, visite bendoregon.gov/burninginfo.

Bend Fire & Rescue Names Drew Whyte Deputy Chief Of Prevention, Fire Marshal (Photo) - 04/28/26

Bend Fire & Rescue has named Drew Whyte as the new deputy chief of prevention and fire marshal.

Whyte joins the department with 29 years of fire service experience. He began his career in 1998 as a firefighter/EMT with the Austin Fire Department in Texas. In 2001, he joined the San Jose Fire Department in California, where he served in multiple roles, including firefighter/paramedic, fire inspector, acting assistant fire marshal and arson investigator.

Whyte retired from San Jose Fire in 2024 and most recently served as assistant fire chief and fire marshal for the City of Berkeley Fire Department in California.

He holds a Master of Science in forensic science from Oklahoma State University and a Bachelor of Science in communications from Vermont State University.

As Bend Fire & Rescue’s deputy chief of prevention and fire marshal, Whyte leads the Fire Prevention Division and oversees community risk reduction efforts, including code enforcement, plan review, public education and fire investigations. He also supports major incident operations and serves as acting fire chief when needed.

“I believe wholeheartedly that having a robust fire prevention program can save lives, and my top priority in this role is maintaining the expectation that fire code is followed so Bend’s residents, visitors, businesses and firefighters are safe,” Whyte said.

“Chief Whyte brings exceptional leadership and deep fire prevention expertise to our organization,” Fire Chief Todd Riley said. “His experience in complex urban environments and commitment to community risk reduction will strengthen our Prevention Division and enhance the safety and resilience of Bend’s growing community.”

Whyte began his new assignment in February. He has purchased a home in Bend and is working to relocate his family in time to experience a Central Oregon summer.

Brush Fire On NE Studio Rd 4-16-26 (Photo) - 04/16/26

Bend Fire & Rescue responded to a reported brush fire along NE Studio Rd this morning just after 10am. Crews arrived to find a 40-foot strip of ornamental juniper brushes on fire in front of a house. The occupant was attempting to stop the fire with a garden hose, but the wind kept the fire going. The first arriving fire engine was able to extinguish the fire quickly and prevent it from spreading to the house and other juniper bushes. There was no reported property damage outside of the brush. Studio Rd was closed for a short time as crews extinguished the fire. 

The fire was caused by the occupant using a weed burner to clear material from his driveway. While weed burners are allowed in the rural areas while burning is open, they are not allowed in the city limits as they are considered debris burning. City ordinance bans all debris burning within the city limits of Bend. The occupant was provided a warning as this was a first offense. 

This is a good reminder of why debris burning will be closed down a month early this year compared to last year. Even with the rain and snow over the past week vegetation is still very dry and can easily ignite and spread. If you are finishing up burning this spring, we ask that you be extremely careful while doing it. Ensure all preparations are done before burning such as having water on hand, clearing combustibles away from the burn and having tools ready to go. Call the burn information line before burning outside the city limits to ensure it is open that day as well because if we see that winds are too strong, we can shut it down on a daily basis. All debris burning will be closed throughout Central Oregon at the end of the day on 4/30/26. 

Outdoor Debris Burning Closes At The End Of April For The Bend Area - 04/15/26

Bend Fire & Rescue, in conjunction with the Central Oregon Fire Chiefs Association, announce that outdoor debris burning will close at the end of April for the Bend area.

Outdoor debris burning will be open as conditions allow in the rural areas surrounding Bend until midnight on Thursday, April 30. Debris burning is not allowed within Bend city limits, per City of Bend Ordinance.

This closure comes a month earlier than normal because of increased risk shown by local drought declarations and the seasonal fire outlook.  

Backyard fires, which include warming fires, campfires and cooking fires are typically allowed year-round in the city of Bend and the surrounding areas covered by Deschutes County Rural Fire Protection District #2, when following Bend Fire & Rescue burning regulations. Additional restrictions can be placed on campfires during peak temperatures to reduce fire risk.

Please check restrictions every time you burn by calling the Bend area information hotline at 541-322-6335. Learn more about burn regulations and permitting at bendoregon.gov/burninginfo.

As temperatures continue to rise, please remember that wildfire is a threat in Central Oregon. Protect your home from wildfire by clearing flammable vegetation and creating defensible space. More information about simple actions you can take to prepare for the upcoming fire season can be found at bendoregon.gov/own-your-zone.