Bend Fire Department responded with USFS, ODF, DCSO and multiple other fire agencies on numerous fires started by a late afternoon thunderstorm on Thursday 7/29/21. The first fires were reported on Bend’s west side around 4:30pm. Multiple callers reported seeing columns of smoke from the Phil’s Trail and Skyliners area west of Bend. Two separate fires were located in that area. One in the Phil’s Trial system just west of Tetherow and the Highlands neighborhoods. The second fire was located off the 4606 Road above Tumalo Creek. Both fires were caused by the passing thunderstorm. No homes were directly threatened by these fires and most access to the area remained opened throughout the incident.

As crews were responding to those fires Bend experienced a power outage. This outage caused several fire alarm activations around town. Remaining Bend Fire crews were able to assist those businesses with their alarms. More fires were reported off of China Hat Rd and Alfalfa Market Rd.  

On the Phil’s Trail and 4606 fires a large air tanker was on scene very quickly. This tanker was on its way to another fire and diverted to assist. The tanker was able to drop its load of retardant on the Phil’s Trail fire and help crews keep the fire at approximately 1 acre in size. The 4606 Rd fire was held to ½ acre. No information is available at this time on the China Hat or Alfalfa Market fires.

This is a good reminder that even though we have received some rain over the past week we are still in extreme fire danger. Vegetation is still dry and fires can still spread quickly even with the summer rain showers we’ve experienced. Burning is still closed throughout much of Central and Eastern Oregon. We ask everyone to be extremely safe with anything that could start a fire whether you’re in the woods or in town.