Fire In Shed Nearly Spreads To Nearby Houses (Photo) - 12/04/25

A fire was reported in the SW area of Bend, near residential homes off of Chuckanut Drive, in the late morning of December 4^th.  An adjacent occupant of a nearby home alerted the occupant of the property of a shed fire that started near a residential house.  A neighbor called 911 and the fully involved shed fire was quickly contained and extinguished by responding Bend Fire & Rescue crews.  The fire completely destroyed a garden shed, damaging a property line fence and partially burned several large pine trees.  The cause of the fire has been determined to be accidental in nature, caused by hot ashes placed on dry compost materials in close proximity to a wooden shed.  Hot ashes that were removed from a wood burning appliance in the early morning, had significant heat from the fire in the wood burning appliance the night before and ignited combustibles and quickly spread to the nearby wooden shed.  Nearby residential homes were not damaged due to the quick response from fire crews after 911 was called and dispatched the appropriate resources.  Damages are estimated to be roughly $20,000.   

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.  

Early Morning Residential Structure Fire In NE Bend (Photo) - 12/02/25

Bend Fire & Rescue crews responded to a structure fire at a single-family residence in NE Bend. Three residents were home at the time. One reported waking to the smell of smoke, then hearing smoke alarms and noticing a large orange glow outside. Upon investigation, he discovered the roof—constructed of wood shake shingles—was on fire. He quickly alerted the other two occupants, and all evacuated safely without injury.

Firefighters arrived within minutes and fully extinguished the fire within approximately 30 minutes. The fire was contained to the roof and did not extend into the interior of the home.

The fire originated from the woodstove flue, which appeared to be original to the home. Over time, radiant heat likely charred the wood shake shingles and eventually ignited the roofing materials.

The entire roof will need replacement with a fire-rated material such as asphalt shingles, composition, or metal. The total loss amount is unknown at this time.

Home heating equipment, including woodstoves and fireplaces, is the leading cause of residential fires in Oregon, with approximately 450 incidents annually. Before lighting your stove or fireplace:

Ensure your flue is clear of debris.

Have your equipment inspected for possible failures. For home heating safety tips, call Bend Fire & Rescue at 541-322-6300. 

Bend Fire & Rescue’s Santa Express Returns To Bend Neighborhoods (Photo) - 12/01/25

Beginning on Friday, Dec. 5, Bend Fire & Rescue’s Santa Express will visit neighborhoods around Bend to collect donations of food, clothing and toys to support The Salvation Army this holiday season.  

The Santa Express will visit three neighborhoods:

• Friday, Dec. 5: Southeast Bend – Foxborough, Larkspur and Sun Meadow neighborhoods
• Saturday, Dec. 6: Northwest Bend – Three Pines, Westside Meadows and Shevlin Ridge neighborhoods
• Monday, Dec. 8: Southwest Bend – Pine Ridge, River Canyon and Aspen Rim neighborhoods

Route details are available at bendoregon.gov/santa-express.

Santa and Bend Fire crews will begin at 6 p.m. each night, slowly walking the neighborhood routes and gathering donations. Community members are encouraged to meet Santa along the way with donations of non-perishable foods, new toys or gently used clothing. The Salvation Army has expressed an increased need for gifts for teenagers this year. 

Those needing assistance with food or presents can call The Salvation Army at 541-389-8888.

Can’t catch Santa Express this year?

Bend Fire is also hosting a season-long food drive for NeighborImpact. Donations of non-perishable food – such as canned fruits, vegetables, soups and peanut butter – can be dropped off at any Bend Fire station through Friday, Dec. 12. Items will be distributed to local pantries, meal sites and shelters.

Fire station locations:

• West – 1212 SW Simpson Ave., Bend
• East – 62420 Hamby Road, Bend
• North – 63377 Jamison St., Bend
• South – 61080 Country Club Drive, Bend
• Tumalo – 64725 Cook Ave., Tumalo
• Pilot Butte – 425 NE 15th St., Bend 

Fire At Miller Elementary School In Bend 11-30-25 (Photo) - 11/30/25

Bend Fire & Rescue was called to Miller Elementary School on NW Crosby 9pm Sunday evening for the fire alarm sounding. Fire crews located the cause of the alarm in the gymnasium at the back of the building. The fire sprinkler system had activated due to a fire in the custodians’ workshop located just off the gym. Additional fire crews were dispatched to assist with the fire. The fire was kept from spreading past the workshop by the fire sprinkler system though smoke and water did spread throughout the gym. Crews remained on scene for an hour to help remove smoke and water from the school. The principal and school district maintenance staff assisted.
 

The fire was found to have been caused by a lithium battery stored in a cabinet in the workshop. The battery failed and started burning inside the cabinet before burning through the doors and into the room. Once the heat built up in the room the fire sprinkler system activated and stopped the fires spread. Fire sprinkler systems are found in all the public schools in Bend, even the oldest schools have had systems retrofitted over the years. These systems prevent fires from spreading and causing catastrophic damage. The damage at Miller Elementary is fixable and should only disrupt school for a day or two. The Bend LaPine staff are working on making the school for kids to return. They will make the call on any delays or cancellations to accomplish the safe return.
 

There are many benefits to lithium batteries, but they also need to be used and stored with caution. If not used correctly or if they get damaged, these batteries can catch fire or explode, even days after the fact. This doesn’t happen to every battery that is damaged, but there are steps you can take to protect your home and business.
 

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), here are safety tips for safe use and storage of lithium batteries:

•Purchase and use devices that are listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.

•Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

•Only use the battery that is designed for the device.

•Only use the charging cord that came with the device.

•Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed, or on a couch.

•Do not keep charging the device or device battery after it is fully charged.

•Keep batteries at room temperature when possible. Do not charge them at temperatures below 32°F (0°C) or above105°F (40°C).

•Store batteries away from anything that can catch fire. Consider a non-combustible cabinet or lithium battery storage specific containers.

As always, never throw any lithium batteries into the trash. These batteries will end up in the landfill where the process of trash collection, dumping, and packing into the landfill can cause the damage needed to start a fire. A fire in the landfill is a major concern of any solid waste department. This includes items with built in lithium batteries such as flashlights, alarms, and other small electronics. Contact your trash service provider, your local landfill, or many electronics stores for safe recycling options in your community.

Bend Fire & Rescue Hosts Food Drive For NeighborImpact To Combat Food Insecurity This Holiday Season - 11/24/25

Beginning today through Dec. 12, Bend Fire & Rescue invites the community to bring non-perishable food donations to any of our fire stations to help combat food insecurity for local families in need this holiday season.

Bend Fire is asking for donations of non-perishable food items such as canned goods, dried pasta and grains, and items like honey and sugar. Some of the most needed items include canned fruits and vegetables, soup and peanut butter. Donated food will be provided to NeighborImpact and distributed through their network of local pantries, meal sites, and shelters.

Help us put food on the table and keep bellies full this season by donating your non-perishable food items to any of the bins stationed outside at the following locations:

• Bend Fire & Rescue Stations:
  • West Fire Station – 1212 SW Simpson Ave., Bend
  • East Fire Station – 62420 Hamby Rd., Bend
  • North Fire Station – 63377 Jamison St., Bend
  • South Fire Station – 61080 Country Club Dr., Bend
  • Tumalo Fire Station – 64725 Cook Ave., Tumalo
  • Pilot Butte Fire Station – 425 NE 15th St., Bend 

Thank you for helping give back to our neighbors this season. Learn more about the NeighborImpact Food Bank at neighborimpact.org/get-help/foodbank/.

Looking for more ways to give?

• Bend Fire & Rescue’s Santa Express is coming to Bend neighborhoods Dec. 5, 6 and 8 collecting donations of new toys, gently used coats and non-perishable food. Learn more about this fun community event at bendoregon.gov/santa-express.  
• NeighborImpact’s Online Food Drive allows you to donate fresh produce and healthy staples for local food banks.
• Donate money to NeighborImpact or a food pantry near you.

Early Morning Residential Structure Fire Leaves Family And Pets Displaced (Photo) - 11/18/25

At 11:46pm, November 17^th, Bend Fire and Rescue crews were dispatched to a structure fire at a single family home behind Three Sisters Adventist Christian School, off of Tumalo road. The resident reported being woken up to what sounded like a “hail storm.” She didn’t notice any fire inside the home but when she went outside, she found flames coming from under the eaves and roof, near the stovepipe of the woodstove. Due to the absence of smoke in the home at that time, smoke alarms did not go off. Because of their quick actions, all 5 residents, including three children and multiple pets, were able to exit the manufactured home safely.  The fire was ignited from the radiant heat of the woodstove pipe that was too close to the wooden facia board of the eaves. The woodstove pipe melted the vinyl rain gutter and ignited the eaves, which spread to the attic. The fire was contained and did not spread to the interior of the home, however, the water and roof damage makes the home unihabitable.  Building loss is estimated at $65,000 and content loss estimated at $25,000.

We want to remind residents that having a home fire escape plan can be crucial in being able to escape quickly and safely from a house fire. Always have a plan for your family and pets. For help information in creating, practicing and implementing a home fire escape plan with your family, please call Bend Fire & Rescue.

Bend Firefighters Host Moustache Bash Supporting Community Assistance Program (Photo) - 11/18/25

This Saturday, November 22, the Bend Firefighters will host their annual Moustache Bash – a fundraiser supporting the Bend Firefighter’s Community Assistance Program. The fundraiser will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 10 Barrel Brewing – East (62950 NE 18^th Street, Bend).

Community members are invited to dress up as their favorite action hero and join in on the fun while supporting a good cause.

Bash-goers will have opportunities to win prizes throughout the evening. Activities include:

• Costume Contest - This year’s theme is action heroes – suit up and have a chance to win!
• Moustache Contest - Featuring categories for everyone – including fake moustaches.
• Raffle – Raffle tickets are available for purchase. Enter to win one of many prizes donated by local businesses.

The Bend Firefighter’s Community Assistance Program is a nonprofit started by Bend firefighters to help meet identified needs and respond to crises in the Bend community. Firefighters often encounter difficult situations where families require help beyond traditional fire department services.

Learn more about the Bend Fire Community Assistance Program or donate today at bendcommunityassistance.org. 

Structure Fire At 60783 River Bend Drive On 11/14/25 (Photo) - 11/18/25

At 1136 hours on Friday, November 14 2025, Bend Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a reported garage fire on River Bend Drive in the Deschutes River Woods area.  First arriving crews found a working fire on the back side of the garage that was beginning to extend toward the residence.  The occupant had evacuated the home with her dog and was a safe distance from structures.  Crews were able to knock down the fire quickly, limiting damage to the residence to some charring on the exterior porch railing.  The garage sustained moderate fire damage, with radiant heat and smoke damage to the contents of the garage.  A lean-to structure attached to the back of the garage was a complete loss.  

Upon investigation, it was found that ashes and char from a previous debris burn had been placed into a plastic bag and set at the edge of the lean-to structure, which was used to store firewood.  Ashes can remain hot for several days, particularly if there are larger pieces present within the ash.  Bend Fire & Rescue recommends that ash, whether from a debris burn, the fireplace, or the woodstove, be placed into a metal container with a lid (never a paper or plastic bag) and put outdoors onto a non-combustible surface such as concrete, metal, or bare dirt.  Fill the bucket with water, and wait at least 24-48 hours before disposing of the material.  For more home fire safety information, visit Informational Videos and Virtual Tours | City of Bend.

Two House Fires In Bend Bring Home Heating Safety Reminders 11-5-25 (Photo) - 11/05/25

Bend Fire & Rescue responded to two reported house fires within 90 minutes of each other. Both were linked to home heating causes.
 

At 11am Bend Fire was called to a home on Evie Dr where occupants reported smoke coming from their fireplace. The fire was found to be limited to the gas insert fireplace. Wood had been added to the gas fireplace insert and turned on. The wood ignited and, as the fireplace was not designed for this type of fire, started to smoke inside the house and through exterior vent. The fire was extinguished with minimal damage to the house and contents, but the insert will need to be replaced. All 3 occupants evacuated safely, and damage was limited to the insert, about $2500.
 

This is a good reminder to always use heating appliances as designed. Whether it’s a gas fireplace insert, a space heater, or outdoor propane heater, always follow the manufacturers guidelines on safe operation. A common issue we see this time of year is when outdoor heaters are brought into unventilated spaces such as garages, shops, or enclosed tents. The outdoor heaters produce a large quantity of carbon monoxide. If the heaters are not ventilated the CO can build up and create a hazardous atmosphere.
 

The second fire was reported at 12:20 by the property owner on Deschutes Market Rd. The owner was on site and had lit a fire in a woodstove inside an unused manufactured home. Shortly after the fire started, smoke was seen coming from the roof and he called 911. Crews arrived quickly and began fighting the fire. The high winds today spread the fire in the concealed roof space as crews attempted to extinguish it. The fire was eventually stopped but the 1978 manufactured home is considered a complete loss ($10,000).

In this case the woodstove had not been used for many years and it’s unknown the condition of the flue or attic space before the fire was started. Having your woodstove inspected and cleaned annually by a qualified professional can greatly lessen the chance of these types of fires. They can ensure the flue is still properly connected, that no combustibles have made contact with the flue in the past year, and that the flue is thoroughly cleaned from any creosote buildup.  Burning clean dry firewood will ensure a good clean fire and reduce the creosote buildup over the winter.

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prevent-fires/heating/