VIDEOS: The Bureau of Land Management confirmed to Central Oregon Daily Tuesday that the Darlene 3 Fire, which threatened La Pine last week, started at or near a homeless encampment seen in a viral video. What BLM says it doesn’t yet know is how the fire started, who started it or whether it started in the camp or somewhere near it.
Prineville BLM Field Manager Lisa Clark said the video played a major role in the investigation.
"What we know with that video is we found where the fire started, but that doesn't tell us that's how the fire started, and that's where the investigation is focusing," Clark said.
Clark said camping on BLM land is limited to a 14-day stay at the same location.
She said no one should jump to conclusions. Clark notes that just because someone is homeless, it does not mean they are more likely to cause a wildfire.