Wind storm drops trees, sparks fire

The wind that swept through Sisters Country overnight on Tuesday and Wednesday last week broke trees and sparked a fire that consumed a garage building in Camp Sherman.

Heavy gusts knocked down trees in Sisters neighborhoods and put one down on Highway 20 near Black Butte. Responding Oregon State Police troopers reported hearing trees crashing in the forest all around.

High winds caused a limb to fall across a power line in Camp Sherman. The line split apart and began arcing as it fell onto a woodshed/garage owned by Brian Metke at 26311 S.W. Metke Ln.

"The building and all contents were declared a total loss, but the adjacent cabin, pump house and vintage pickup, a 1966 Dodge Power Wagon, were spared thanks to a quick response from firefighters from Sisters-Camp Sherman, Black Butte Ranch, and Cloverdale Fire Departments," reported neighbor Don Wilt. "The building was considered a local landmark as it was built by the late, legendary Camp Sherman log cabin builder Luther Metke and his grandson, Brian, in about 1975. The accident knocked out power to several residents in the area but was restored by Central Electric Power (Cooperative) within a few hours. Lost in the fire were a number of antiques, including an organ."

No one was injured in any of the wind-related incidents.