Bend Police have made arrests in the fire that burned Pilot Butte before this year’s Fourth of July fireworks show.

Alan Stout, 29, and Brandon Hastings, 38, both of Bend, have been charged with one count each of first-degree criminal mischief. Stout additionally has been charged with reckless burning, a misdemeanor, and a felony probation violation.

Police spokesman Lt. Clint Burleigh said investigators learned of a witness from local reporters with Central Oregon Daily. The witness saw Stout and Hastings fire a mortar-style firework from the butte, Burleigh said Thursday.

The fire led to the evacuation of a nearby apartment complex and the loss of power to 27,000 Pacific Power customers. There are 38,000 customers in the city.

The blaze, which started at about 4:49 p.m. at the southeast corner of Pilot Butte, led officials to close a section of U.S. Highway 20 from Azure Drive to 15th Street and evacuate The Outlook at Pilot Butte east of the butte. No damage was done to the apartment complex.

The fire was contained to about 8 acres between Highway 20 and the road leading to the top of Pilot Butte.

Flames jumped the highway in places, aided by extremely high winds and dry conditions. They reached two high-tension power lines, affecting three substations.

— Reporter: 541-383-0325, gandrews@bendbulletin.com