July 3, 2024 3:50 a.m.

Crews with the City of Roseburg Fire Department responded to a reported natural cover fire on Reservoir Hill, just north of downtown, shortly after 2:00 p.m. Tuesday.

An RFD release said a caller reported seeing both smoke and flames on the hillside.

Fire Chief Tyler Christopherson said firefighters arrived on the scene to find a fire that was determined to be a rekindle from a Monday night fire. Christopherson said the natural cover fire was in the area of the 200 block of Southeast Pine Street at the base of the hill. The fire had spread throughout portions of the hillside. Although access to the fire was difficult, firefighters from RFD and the Douglas Forest Protective Association were able to bring the fire under control quickly, limiting the area of the burn to approximately two and a half acres.

Christopherson said the initial natural cover fire, being a half-acre in size, occurred on Monday. That fire was determined by fire investigators to be man-made, although it is unknown at this time whether the burn was intentionally set or the result of a campfire that got out of control. There were nearby homeless encampments located near the site of the fire, so it may have started as a cooking or warming fire. That initial fire on Monday began at approximately 11:40 p.m.

The release said Roseburg Police Department evacuated nearby encampments on the bike path near the 200 block of Pine Street, residents on Northeast Bellview Court, and nearby commercial businesses on Northeast Stephens Street. Firefighters were able to stop the fire from spreading to nearby residential and commercial structures. Christopherson said residents will continue to see significant smoke Wednesday as the fire will be smoldering on the interior of several large trees.

Christopherson said this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of defensible space. He said RFD would like to remind home and business owners to eliminate potential fuel for any fire that may occur around or near their property.