A La Pine homeless camper was jailed for reckless burning after a burn pit sparked a fire. On July 17, 2024, at approximately 2:12 pm, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a reported fire in La Pine. The fire was reported to be in the forest, just south of the Huntington Meadows subdivision, which is a heavily populated housing subdivision on Huntington Rd.
The La Pine Fire Department responded to the scene, as well as a wildland fire fighting crew that was dispatched from Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center (COIDC). The crews were able to quickly contain the fire to an approximate 30 foot by 30 foot size, which was in the heavily treed forest.
Throughout the investigation, it was determined wind had blown debris from an unattended burn pit, igniting the fire in the pine needles and underbrush of the forest.
Deputies were able to determine through their investigation that the unattended burn pit belonged to A 52-year-old La Pine man, who resided in a camp nearby. He was contacted and taken into custody for the crime of Reckless Burning.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind residents that debris burns are banned and prohibited as of June 1st. Debris burning is described as: burning with burn barrels, weed burners, field, ditch, and open pile burning. It is always recommended to consult with the fire station in your jurisdiction when considering burning.
