Structure Fire On NW Crossing Drive On 5/10/26 (Photo) - 05/10/26

At 7:41 am on Sunday, May 10 2026, a garage fire was reported on NW Crossing Drive in Bend.  First arriving units found a working fire in the attached garage that had extended into the residence.  The home is one of five attached townhomes, while one other unit had minor damage from smoke and soot, four of the five townhomes are still habitable.  The residence where the fire originated was heavily damaged and is not occupiable.  The homeowner declined Red Cross assistance.  Damage is estimated at $500,000 to the structure, $75,000 contents, and $8,000 to a vehicle parked in front of the garage. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation at this time.

While much of the attention right now is on wildfire risk, keep in mind that house fires can happen at any time.  Ensure that your home has working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, develop and practice a home fire escape plan, and be mindful of common fire safety risks from heating, cooking, and electrical usage.  For more home fire safety information, please visit https://bendoregon.gov/departments/public-safety/fire-rescue/community-resources-programs/#videos

Structure Fire On NW Florida Avenue On May 6, 2026 (Photo) - 05/06/26

At 1244 pm on May 6, 2026, a structure fire was reported on NW Florida Avenue.  Callers reported smoke and flames visible at the back of the residence, one of the original mill houses built in 1925.  Fire crews quickly knocked down the fire, but extensive overhaul operations were needed due to it being an older home with fire involvement in the attic area.  The home is not habitable, and Red Cross is providing assistance for two adults and two dogs.  

Upon investigation, it was found that the fire originated on the exterior of the house, and extended up the wood siding to the eaves and into the attic space.  The cause of the fire is improper disposal of oily rags from a recent project into the household trash.  

Oil based paints, stains, and varnishes are often used for home improvement projects, but rags, cloths, and brushes can easily start a fire if not handled and disposed of properly.  Never leave rags in a pile or bucket, lay them out flat outdoors in a space away from structures and combustibles.  Once rags are completely dry, place them in a metal can with a water and detergent solution and ensure the lid is sealed tightly.  They can be disposed of at Knott Landfill at their Hazardous Waste Disposal area, which is open every Friday and Saturday.  For more information on household safety, please visit our website at https://bendoregon.gov/departments/public-safety/fire-rescue/community-resources-programs/#resources.

Bend Fire & Rescue Recognizes National Wildfire Awareness Month, Encourages Community To Prepare Homes Ahead Of An Emergency (Photo) - 05/06/26

Bend Fire & Rescue recognizes May as National Wildfire Awareness Month. We encourage the community to get your home and family wildfire ready ahead of an incident that threatens our community.

Wildfires are a threat to our region every year. With local drought declarations and a very hot and dry forecast for the year - we are asking our community to take part in the collective effort of preparing Bend for wildfire.

“Strengthening our community’s wildfire resilience is a shared effort, and every action makes a difference,” said Melissa Steele. “At Bend Fire, we are training and preparing our responders, collaborating with regional partners, participating in community education and outreach, and reviewing defensible space standards around our own facilities. When these efforts are matched by steps residents take on their own properties, together we can meaningfully reduce wildfire risk across our community.”

Being wildfire ready begins at home. And it starts with you.

Wildfires can cause destruction very quickly, especially when dry and dead plants and other combustible materials can help the fire progress.

Creating defensible space by clearing things that can catch fire from the area within the first five feet of your home is one small and impactful step you can take to help protect not just your home, but the whole neighborhood.

Learn what simple actions you can take to create defensible space around your home at bendoregon.gov/own-your-zone.

Central Oregon Fire Prevention Co-op Preparedness Fair

Join Bend Fire & Rescue and other wildfire partners from across the region on Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Wille Hall at Central Oregon Community College (2600 NW College Way, Bend) for a Wildfire Preparedness Fair.

Learn how to prepare your family and home for wildfire through presentations, hands-on activities, info booths and a ton of fun giveaways. Local and regional fire officials will be available to answer any questions about wildfire preparedness that you might have.

Learn about other regional fairs put on by the Co-op at centraloregonfire.org/prevent-wildfires.

Follow Bend Fire & Rescue on Facebook and Instagram as we post helpful wildfire readiness tips throughout the month. Thank you for helping make Bend wildfire ready.

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.