Fire at homeless camp near Bend Parkway slowed by workers nearby, Bend PD with fire extinguishers, doused by firefighters

(Update: added video, more information)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A wildfire at a homeless camp near southbound Bend Parkway brought firefighters Wednesday afternoon after it was spotted by employees of a nearby business and fought by workers and police with fire extinguishers. They released high, black smoke, but thanks to their work they did not damage the business or require the road to be closed.

An approximately 10-by-15-foot area of ​​brush and grass burned in the fire, reported shortly before 2 p.m. in the ODOT right-of-way behind a business in the 100 block of NE Webster Avenue, Bend Fire & Rescue Deputy Fire Marshal Dan. » Said Derlacki.

As drivers and others saw a plume of black smoke, nearby employees discovered the homeless encampment between their business and the parkway, calling to it and using fire extinguishers.

Nearby workers, joined by Bend police, used fire extinguishers to slow the fire before firefighters arrived, Derlacki said. Firefighters put out the fire and made sure it was cool to the touch before leaving.

No one was at the campsite, Derlacki said, and there was no sign of who was occupying it, but he added that the fire “appears to be accidental” and that there was no damage to the company.

The weather, which is not yet the hottest forecast for the coming days, made the firefighters' task easier.

“We're actually still in a low fire risk, if things are still green,” he said. “But we will now enter a warming trend over the next couple of weeks. So you will see the fire danger ratings start to increase and we will remind business owners to protect their properties. We are also working with the 'ODOT, the city – anyone else who owns property, to make sure they take care of those properties.

While the fire did not reach neighboring businesses, a fence and burned utility pole were being assessed to determine damage.