Ryan Brennecke / The BulletinDennis Bird, 64, works on spraying down a stump while working on securing the fire line on the east flank of the Two Bulls Wildfire on Monday.

Fire crews reported this morning that the Two Bulls Fire northwest of Bend is now 70 contained.

Management of the fire is set to transfer Saturday from a state-level team to Oregon Department of Forestry firefighters from Sisters, said Tina O’Donnell, ODF spokeswoman at the fire. While there were reports of smoke plumes from the fire Thursday, officials said they turned out to be swirls of ash sent up by gusty winds.

Firefighters today are patrolling the fire line and putting out hot spots 300 to 500 feet into the burn area, according to the fire management team. Along with 766 firefighters, there are two helicopters, 36 engines, three bulldozers and 13 water tenders on the fire today. Cost of fighting the fires is now $4.9 million.

The reward for information leading to the conviction of whoever started the Two Bulls Fire, which was first spotted Saturday as two separate blazes, is $36,500. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office asks anyone with information to call 541-693-6911.

For more coverage of the Two Bulls Fire go to bendbulletin.com/topics/twobullsfire.

— Dylan J. Darling