BEND, OR -- A brush fire broke out along the Deschutes River Wednesday afternoon, just downstream from the First Street Rapids. Bend Police helped firefighters find the best access to the fire, which was at the bottom of a cliff behind homes on NW Rivermist Drive.

Crews held it to just a small area near the river, and determined it was human-caused, but say the specific cause couldn’t be determined. There were no signs of encampments in the area. Bend Fire says the trail through the fire area is heavily used by hikers and swimmers, and a carelessly discarded cigarette or hot ashes can't be ruled out. 

Photo courtesy Bend Fire & Rescue