SWEET HOME FIRE DISTRICT RESPONDS TO A WILDLAND FIRE NEAR HOLLEY SCHOOL

Sweet Home Fire Dist.

At 11:49 am on June 1, 2023, the Sweet Home Fire District along with its Oregon Department of Forestry partners, responded to a wildland fire off Crawfordsville Drive. This fire was actively burning in grass and brush near Holley School. The fire took about thirty minutes to contain. Crews had to use a “progressive hose lay” to get to the fire. This technique involves rolling hose out and connecting it together, as they approach the fire on foot. As a precaution the school district was notified that there was a fire near the school, but the school was never threatened by the fire. The fire size is estimated to be half an acre. The cause of the fire was due to an electric fence. 

The Sweet Home Fire District would like to inform people that fuels in our area are very dry. We normally do not see fuels this dry until July. We understand that is only June 1^st, but with the lack of rain during May, the fuels are now cured and dry. We are also experiencing winds that can create rapid fire growth and make it difficult to put out. We ask that everyone please use extra caution with anything that may cause an accidental ignition to grass, brush or any vegetation. 

There were no injuries to report and no structures were threatened during this event.