Three Fires Keep Local Crews Busy

Douglas Forest Protective Association

Three fire calls Saturday kept crews from the Douglas Forest Protective Association and local fire departments busy throughout the day. Shortly after noon, crews from DFPA and Glide Rural Fire Department responded to a grass fire two miles west of Glide, near the 2,000 block of Wild River Drive. Crews located the fire behind a residence, slowly spreading through dry grass. Firefighters were able to quickly stop the forward spread of the fire at 1/10th of an acre. A preliminary investigation indicated that the Wild River Drive Fire was a result of an escaped burn barrel. Debris burning, including the use of burn barrels and debris piles is currently prohibited on all lands protected by DFPA. The responsible party was issued a citation for burning without a permit and will likely be billed for fire suppression costs.

While crews were mopping up the Wild River Drive Fire, another fire was reported 8 miles northwest of Winston, near the intersection of Flournoy Valley Road and Sunrise Lane. Local residents attempted to suppress the blaze before fire crews arrived on scene, but the fire was being pushed by winds through a field of dry grass. When firefighters arrived on scene of the incident, the fire was estimated to be several acres in size. A helicopter was used to drop buckets of water on the fire while engine crews worked their way around the incident. The forward spread of the Flournoy Valley Fire was stopped at seven and a half acres of grass and brush. Crews remained on scene of the fire until 5:30 PM, mopping up hot spots and securing control lines. A preliminary investigation indicated that the Flournoy Valley Fire was caused by a tree into the powerlines. Firefighters and equipment from DFPA, Lookingglass Rural Fire Department, and Douglas County Fire District #2 responded to the Flournoy Valley Fire.

At approximately 4:35 PM, a column of smoke that was visible from I-5 milepost 112 was reported to the Douglas County 911 Communication Center. Crews from DFPA, Myrtle Creek Rural Fire Department, and Winston – Dillard Fire Department responded to the area and located the fire off Dole Road. Upon arrival, the fire was about a quarter acre in size, burning in dry grass and brush. Gusty winds fanned the flames and pushed the fire up the hillside. Firefighters installed hose lays up the hillside to cool the perimeter of the fire while a bulldozer constructed containment lines. The Dole Road Fire burned two acres of grass, blackberry briars, and poison oak before the forward spread of the fire was stopped. Crews remained on scene of the fire until 7:15 PM, mopping up hot spots and securing control lines. The cause of the Dole Road Fire is currently under investigation. Additional personnel and equipment from the Riddle Rural Fire Department and Douglas County Fire District #2 assisted with the Dole Road Fire.