July 15, 2020 4:10 a.m.

Crews from the Douglas Forest Protective Association, Douglas County Fire District No.2 and the Winston-Dillard Fire Department responded to a fire burning Tuesday night along Interstate Five, approximately four miles southeast of Winston.

Kyle Reed of DFPA said firefighters arrived on the scene just after 7:00 p.m. and found two fires burning in the median near the freeway at milepost 114. Reed said strong fuels fanned the flames, causing the fires to merge together and spread quickly to the south, through the light, flashy fuels. Firefighters stopped the fire at around five acres, all of which was contained in the median.

Reed said motorists passing through fire incidents need to slow down, move over and focus on the road. Reed said several drivers who passed by the fire did so at high rates of speed while others were seen with their cell phone out, presumably recording the incident as they passed by. He said those actions put motorists and first responders at risk during an already hazardous situation.

Firefighters remained on the scene of the Milepost 114 fire for about three hours, mopping up hot spots and securing control lines. A preliminary investigation indicated that the cause of the fire was vehicle related.