For the second time in recent weeks, a brush fire broke out near the transient camp on BLM land off Darlene Way and Rosland Road in La Pine. The Jolene Fire started around 2:40pm Wednesday, July 23rd. It was quickly contained thanks to the rapid response of Lt. Josh Spano, DCSO deputies, La Pine Fire District, and fire crews from the U.S. Forest Service.
No structures or vehicles were damaged.
Investigators believe the fire was human-caused, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is seeking a person of interest. Anyone with information or who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area is asked to call the non-emergency line at (541) 693-6911.
The Bureau of Land Management recently moved a National Fire Prevention and Education Team to La Pine due to a higher than average number of fires in that area. In the past five years there have been 138 human caused fires in the La Pine area.
Video: Courtesy of Lt. Josh Spano, DCSO: https://youtube.com/shorts/BM89B6AnyHo?feature=share
This article appears in Source Weekly July 24, 2025.
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These zombies are going to burn LaPine down someday. Or Bend.