August 21, 2019 4:20 a.m.
An aggressive initial attack by both aviation and ground resources stopped a potentially devastating wildfire at 2 acres Tuesday afternoon.
That’s the word from Kyle Reed of the Douglas Forest Protective Association. Reed said DFPA crews and the Myrtle Creek Rural Fire Department responded to a report of a grass fire near the 400 block of Louis Creek Road at about 1:30 p.m. That location is about 8 miles east of Myrtle Creek.
Reed said the first unit to arrive on the scene of the Louis Creek Fire estimated it to be ½ acre in size and reported that it was quickly moving up the hillside, burning in grass and young conifer trees. Additional resources were requested from rural fire departments in Tri-City, Riddle, and Canyonville-South Umpqua.
Reed said 4 helicopters were used to slow the fires spread while a bull dozer and fire crews worked their way around the perimeter of the fire. Multiple spot fires challenged crews as they worked to suppress the blaze. By approximately 4:00 p.m. a dozer line was completed around the fire, stopping its forward spread. Firefighters remained on the scene of the Louis Creek Fire well into nightfall, working to mop up hot spots and to improve control lines.
A preliminary investigation indicated that the cause of the Louis Creek Fire may be related to an electric cart driving through dry grass.
Fire danger remains high on lands protected by the Douglas Forest Protective Association.