November 20, 2020 6:40 a.m.

Crews with the Douglas Forest Protective Association and other agencies are dealing with two slash fires in the county.

DFPA Public Information Officer Rachel Pope said Saturday afternoon just past 2:30 p.m. DFPA firefighters and staff from the Glide Rural Protection District responded to an estimated 150-acre fire a half-mile north of Hinkle Creek, and about 15 miles east of Sutherlin. Pope said DFPA and private landowners are currently engaged in fire suppression. Fire activity is slow moving and not a threat to structures or homes.

At about the same time Saturday, an estimated 20-acre fire was identified by a DFPA detection camera operator. A crew with one engine was dispatched, confirming the location of the fire to be near Boulder Creek Road, about 8 miles east of Azalea. A private landowner crew is also on scene and engaged, along with assistance from the staff with the Oregon Department of Forestry who came from Grants Pass. This fire is also slow moving with little growth and is not a threat.

Pope said the cause of these fires is under investigation. With cold and dry weather throughout the valley, DFPA would like to remind residents to continue to monitor and check any previous debris burns, slash burns and piles for heat and smoke. With low humidity and little precipitation in the forecast for the upcoming week, fuels are dry. Any trapped, unextinguished heat can cause a potential escaped debris burn and landowners could be potentially liable for fire suppression costs.