The Pine Mountain Prescribed Burn on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest was declared a wildfire at approximately 4 p.m. today. Although forecasted weather conditions were within parameters for the prescribed burn, multiple spot fires occurred outside of the unit boundary.
Named the Pine Mountain Fire, the wildfire is approximately 14 miles southeast of Bend and is estimated at 1,500 acres. Firefighters have called in additional resources, including additional hotshot crews, engines and aircraft. Forest Service firefighters are trained to be proactive and prompt in declaring a wildfire. Declaring a wildfire, when necessary, means additional resources can be rapidly dispatched to effectively contain the fire.
Smoke from the Pine Mountain Fire may be visible from Highway 20, Bend and the Newberry Caldera.
For more information, visit centraloregonfire.org and for information specific to the Deschutes National Forest visit fs.usda.gov/deschutes. Follow us on X @CentralORFire. Text “COFIRE” to 888-777 to receive wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts.
