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 92nd. 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.
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 92nd. 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.