Pine Mountain Prescribed Burn Escalates to Wildfire, Prompting Emergency Response
On May 7, 2026, a prescribed burn on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest in Oregon was declared a wildfire. The Pine Mountain Fire, located approximately 14 miles southeast of Bend, has spread to an estimated 1,500 acres. Despite weather conditions being within the expected parameters for the controlled burn, multiple spot fires ignited outside the designated area. In response, additional firefighting resources, including hotshot crews, engines, and aircraft, have been deployed to contain the fire. The Forest Service emphasizes the importance of promptly declaring a wildfire to ensure rapid mobilization of resources. Smoke from the fire is visible from Highway 20, Bend, and the Newberry Caldera. 
