May 18, 2021 4:05 a.m.

Crews with the Douglas Forest Protective Association dealt with three natural cover fires on Monday.

Kyle Reed of DFPA said firefighters from their agency, the Umpqua National Forest, and rural departments in Tiller and Milo, responded to the Pickett Fence Fire at around 1:00 p.m. Reed said it was located approximately three miles northeast of Tiller, near Pickett Butte. Upon arrival, crews estimated the fire to be three quarters of an acre, burning in grass, brush and young trees. Firefighters stopped the forward spread of the fire at approximately one acre and remained on the scene until 9:00 p.m. mopping up hot spots within the interior of the fire. The cause of the Pickett Fence Fire is currently under investigation.

Reed said firefighters suppressed two additional natural cover fires that were both related to escaped debris burns. At approximately 11:20 a.m. crews from DFPA and from Douglas County Fire District No.2 responded to a fire six miles southeast of Roseburg, near Grouse Butte Lane. The Grouse Butte Fire burned a quarter of an acre of grass and brush before it was contained.

At approximately 3:30 p.m. crews from DFPA and from the Lookingglass Rural Fire Department responded to a fire five miles northwest of Winston, near Strickland Canyon Road. The Strickland Canyon Road Fire burned 1/100th of an acre of grass and brush and was quickly contained.

Reed said despite fire season not being in effect on the Douglas District at this time, residents are reminded that forest fuel conditions are much drier than normal for this time of year. Reed said residents are encouraged to refrain from unnecessary debris burning. Those who choose to burn debris piles before the start of fire season should burn earlier in the day before temperatures and wind speeds increase in the afternoon. In addition, the debris pile should be surrounded by a fire trail before ignition begins and be monitored by an adult with fire tools and water until the pile has been fully extinguished.