Tollgate fire raises suspicions

A fire that started in a stump in Tollgate Thursday afternoon, June 15, is considered suspicious, according to Deschutes County Sheriff's Office reports.

The blaze apparently started in a stump near the intersection of Conestoga and Lariat streets at about 2:30 p.m.

It quickly spread to the surrounding brush, burning an approximately 50-foot circle around the point of origin before a fire crew doused the flames.

Sergeant Rich Shawver said he was forwarding his report to the Central Oregon Arson Task Force for review as a suspicious fire.

There has been a series of arson fires in the Sisters area over the past two months. Those fires remain under investigation.