Two juvenile boys were cited for reckless burning after they threw a smoke bomb that ignited a nearly 2-acre fire east of Baker City on June 22, 2024.

BAKER CITY — Police cited two juvenile boys for reckless burning after they threw a smoke bomb that started a grass fire east of Baker City on the afternoon of June 22.

The fire burned just under 2 acres, according to the Baker County Sheriff’s Office.

The blaze was reported about 2:20 p.m. in the “dino pits” area off Highway 86 about 3 miles east of Interstate 84.

Northwest winds pushed the fire uphill, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Firefighters from multiple agencies responded, including Baker, Keating and North Powder rural districts, and the Lookout-Glasgow Rangeland Fire Protection District.

Crews worked on the fire for about 90 minutes.

Sheriff’s Deputy Kyle Ebeling talked with the two juveniles and cited them for reckless burning.

“This is an important reminder that fire season is officially upon us,” the sheriff’s office stated in a press release.