High winds raked Central Oregon on Tuesday, toppling trees and power lines and sparking a handful of fires.

As of 3:30 p.m., nearly 1,800 customers in Bend were without electricity, according to Pacific Power. As of 5:30 p.m., just over 200 remained without power; by 11 p.m., the utility had reduced that number to 52.

Central Electric Cooperative, which serves Bend’s far east side as well as Redmond and Sisters, reported nearly 600 addresses without power earlier in the afternoon. Power had been restored at all CEC addresses shortly after 5 p.m.

National Weather Service monitoring stations recorded gusts of up to 45 mph at the Redmond Airport, and up to 60 mph near Horse Butte southeast of Bend. At Mt. Bachelor, a gust of 91 mph was recorded at the top of the Northwest Express lift at 5 a.m., hours before the strongest winds arrived in Bend.

The strong southerly winds were brought by a cold front that prompted a wind advisory for Central Oregon from midday to 7 p.m., according to the weather service.

Lt. Clint Burleigh, spokesman with the Bend Police Department, said Tuesday’s winds made for one the busiest days he’s had at the department.

Burleigh said reports of downed trees and limbs came in from across the city, though the area near the center of town just east of Third Street appears to have been hit hardest.

Traffic lights along Third Street at Greenwood and Franklin avenues lost power, as did Juniper Swim & Fitness Center, prompting the facility to close early.

Burleigh said trees falling on houses were reported on NE Eighth Street, NW Newport Avenue, NW Sacagawea Lane and NWRoanoke Avenue. On NW Sixth Street near Bend High School, an exploding transformer started a small fire.

He said he was unaware of any reports of storm-related injuries.

Capt. Dave Howe with the Bend Fire Department reported his crews responded to 17 wind-related calls over the course of a little over two hours, including an 8-acre brush fire spread by embers from an earlier debris burn.

The Central Oregon Humane Society took in multiple animals during the storm, as well as calls about downed fences that allowed pets to escape.

— Reporter: 541-383-0387, shammers@bendbulletin.com