A natural cover fire on Thursday afternoon burned a 1/2 acre of grass and brush east of Myrtle Creek.
Kyle Reed of the Douglas Forest Protective Association said crews from DFPA and from Myrtle Creek Rural Fire Department responded at approximately 4:30 p.m. The fire was near the 2,000 block of South Myrtle Road. Reed said the first units to arrive on scene reported that the fire was 1/4 of an acre in size and was moving up the hillside through grass and blackberry bushes. Firefighters quickly stopped the forward spread of the fire and remained on the scene until 7:30 p.m. mopping up hot spots and securing control lines.
Reed said the South Myrtle Fire is a great example of why fire season remains in effect throughout the Douglas District. Despite recent rainfall, an hour or two of sunshine is enough to dry out dead grass to the point that it will carry fire again. Reed said DFPA’s Public Use Restrictions remain in effect and that all backyard debris burning remains prohibited.
The cause of the South Myrtle Fire is currently under investigation.