August 18, 2019 10:50 a.m.
The Longview Fire near Interstate Five in north Douglas County burned 3 acres on Friday night.

Kyle Reed of the Douglas Forest Protective Association said DFPA and North Douglas County Fire and EMS responded to a reported natural cover fire Friday afternoon at about 5:15 p.m. Reed said the fire was visible from Interstate Five near milepost 166. Initially the fire was estimated to be ½ acre in size and was burning on a steep hillside in heavy timber. Additional resources were requested from the South Lane Fire and Rescue and the Oregon Department of Forestry’s South Cascades unit. Crews from the Oregon Department of Transportation responded for traffic control as well, according to Reed.

3 helicopters were used to slow the fire’s spread while ground resources, including 13 engines, 2 tenders and a bull dozer, worked their way into the fire. By nightfall, Reed said the forward spread of the fire was stopped and crews were working to install hose lays and digging fire lines around the perimeter of the blaze.
Firefighters remained on the scene into Saturday, working to fully extinguish the fire. Reed said the cause of the Longview Fire is under investigation.