For the third time in three days, fire officials and Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputies responded to fires involving a motorhome or camper van which then spread. The Sheriff’s Office says two of the incidents were arson.
On Friday morning just after 8am, deputies responded to a fire along Highway 97 south of Deschutes Junction. The fire started in a vehicle, spreading to a nearby trailer and several small trees. Bend Fire & Rescue was able to put out the flames before they spread further. No one was hurt.
Deputies arrested a 55-year old man, charging him with arson, reckless burning, criminal mischief, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct. The Sheriff’s Office said the man told them he started the fire in an attempt to “get a fresh start.”
The previous day, July 17, Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 46-year old woman for arson after she allegedly set an RV on fire at Green Acres RV Park off Highway 97 south of Redmond. The fire burned a second RV and threatened a 120-gallon propane tank.
On Wednesday, July 16, an RV caught fire at the Temporary Safe Stay Area in Juniper Ridge north of Bend. Flames spread to a nearby car. No one was hurt, but a dog and cat died. The cause of that fire remains under investigation. About 200 people live at the safe stay area.
This article appears in Source Weekly July 17, 2025.
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I’m so offended by this writing, “no one was hurt but, a dog and a cat died”. Why is that no important? It’s horrific that animals are subject to whatever humans do. Trrrible choice of words, Nic Moye. Do better.
Again, why are we allowing people to live in a place dubbed Dirt World under conditions that are clearly unsafe, unsanitary, and inhumane? This isnt compassion–
its neglect.
Where is the accountability for animal welfare? Many of these individuals are in no position to care for themselves, let alone the animals they keep. We have now seen a tragic example: a dog left in a trailer during 90-degree heat, which later caught fire, by the very people living in these encampments thus killing the animal. How is this acceptable in any civilized society?
At some point, we have to stop pretending that this is a solution. Allowing people to live in squalor, surrounded by fire hazards and environmental degradation, is doing irreparable harm and not only to them, but to our community and to our public lands. This is causing real danger, particularly as wildfire season intensifies.
We need high-barrier shelters with wraparound services for addiction, mental health, and social support. And if someone refuses help, we cannot continue to
allow them to live in conditions that endanger themselves, others, and the environment.
This is not a complex issueit just requires the political will to do whats right. Lets stop enabling this slow-motion disaster. Get people the help they need, or stop allowing them to live like this. Our forests, our communities, and basic human dignity depend on it.
Letting people destroy areas around our community is insanity. Insanity. The morons at the City of Bend and Deschutes County aren’t going to do anything about this until the flames reach the business or residence of someone with power.