A brush fire south of Tumalo scared residents Wednesday afternoon.  A small blaze broke out just before 4 p.m. on Tumalo Reservoir Road south of Tumalo.

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Lt. Chad Davis reports the fire was small, but firefighters worked to control the sagebrush and junipers that, because of dry conditions were burning quickly.

Fire crews from the Oregon Department of Forestry and Bend Fire responded quickly to the calls about the fire and using water dropping helicopter were able to get control of the fire right away.

The investigation continues into the cause of the fire- early indications are that it started beside the road and could have been human caused, possibly from a cigarette.