Bend, Ore. -Bend Fire units were dispatched to a fire in a shop behind a house on Pioneer Loop this morning. When the Bend Fire Department arrived, the 864 square foot shop was fully involved, with fire spreading to the trees and brush to the south and east.
The Fire Department used a defensive approach, fighting the fire from the outside of the structure. The Oregon Department of Forestry and units from the Deschutes National Forest provided wildland firefighting, confining the fire to 2/10 of an acre.
Although the main obstacle proved to be getting water to the site, the Fire Department was able to make an efficient stop on the fire. The shed and its contents, however, were a total loss. Upon investigation, it was found that the property owner was disposing of paper, cardboard, and other household trash by burning it in the woodstove in the shop. There were combustible items within a foot of the woodstove, and radiant heat from the woodstove ignited those items.
The Bend Fire Department would like to remind the community that anything which produces heat needs space around it – the kitchen range, a woodstove, a barbecue, or a space heater all need clear space, 3 feet of clearance is recommended.
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