Jackson County Sheriff's Office detectives and Oregon Department of Forestry fire investigators are working to determine the cause of a fire that may have destroyed a bridge on Fredenburg Road east of Butte Falls crossing North Fork Big Butte Creek. Anyone who may have information about the fire is asked to call the sheriff's office tip line at 541-774-8333 and reference case No. 24-5571.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives are asking for tips following a fire that damaged and possibly destroyed a bridge east of Butte Falls.

The Fredenburg Road bridge that crosses North Fork Big Butte Creek could be beyond repair after the fire reported about 8 a.m. Thursday, according to a release from the sheriff’s office.

Butte Falls Volunteer Fire & Rescue crews extinguished the fire within half an hour of the initial call, and crews prevented the fire from spreading to surrounding wildlands.

Due to the bridge fire, Fredenburg Road is now closed at the 0.7 mile marker for what is expected to be an extended period of time. In cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, a temporary detour has been implemented for affected residents.

Jackson County Roads & Parks Department officials are in the process of assessing the damage, but the repair may require a full bridge replacement. According to the sheriff’s office, initial estimates for the damages exceed $1 million.

Oregon Department of Forestry fire investigators are working with the sheriff’s office to determine the fire’s cause. Anyone who may have information about the fire is asked to call the sheriff’s office tip line at 541-774-8333 and reference case No. 24-5571.