Fireworks blamed for fire southwest of Sisters

Firefighters have checked forward progress of a fire burning three miles southwest of Sisters and have the blaze about 50 percent contained at approximately 11 acres.

Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center spokesperson Lisa Clark said that fire investigators were on scene this afternoon and have reported a cause:

"It looks like it was fireworks in a dispersed camping area," Clark told The Nugget.

Fireworks are illegal on the National Forest. There are no suspects at this time; anyone with information is asked to contact the Sisters Ranger District at 541-549-7700.

Several fire crews and at least one helicopter worked on the blaze, which was located just 1.5 miles southwest of where last year's Rooster Rock Fire started.

That fire was quickly whipped up by stiff winds. Winds were light this afternoon.