BEND – The Central Oregon Arson Task Force has completed extensive investigations of both the Booth and Bear Butte fires. The fires were investigated separately and lightning has been determined to be the cause of both fires.

“The COATF conducted a very thorough investigation, using standardized methodology. After pursuing all leads, our investigators determined that the cause was lightning. The Pinhead Butte fires, reported Aug. 15; the Tan Pony and Brown Horse fires, reported Aug. 18; and the Booth and Bear Butte fires, reported Aug. 19; were holdovers from the active lightning storms that went through the area Aug. 4-7,” stated Captain Randy Wight, Coordinator of the COATF. “It is not unusual for holdover lightning fires to smolder undetected for days or weeks until fuels and weather conditions are just right and the fires become visible.”

The Central Oregon Arson Task Force hosted a public meeting on Oct. 16 in Sisters. They presented a more in-depth look at the investigation and was available to answer questions. A copy of the presentation from the meeting is available on the Forest Service Web site at www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/.