Unattended Campfire Starts Blaze
Firefighters contained a wildfire Monday afternoon that burned about 1/4 acre on the Deschutes National Forest four miles southeast of Bend off China Hat Road, and officials have cited a transient suspected of causing the blaze with his unattended campfire.
According to Deputy Allan Borland with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Cody Langston, 23, was also arrested and jailed for failing to register as a sex offender. Langston’s camp, which included his tent, sleeping bags and clothing, was completely destroyed. There were no injuries and no other structures were damaged.
Cody Langston, DCJ Photo
The Lava Butte Lookout reported smoke from the fire about noon on August 28, said Sgt. Dan Bilyeu. United States Forest Service firefighters completed a containment line and placed hoses around the blaze an hour later. They also contained another small fire that started when afternoon winds blew embers from the main fire across the road.
China Hat Road was closed remained closed to east and westbound traffic about three miles east of Highway 97 until late afternoon.