September 2, 2026 4:30 p.m. 

Crews with the Douglas Forest Protective Association and other agencies responded to lightning caused fires Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning in the Tiller area.

DFPA Public Information Officer said Rachael Pope said several lightning strikes were reported. Just after 9:45 p.m. firefighters from DFPA, Tiller Rural Fire Protection District, Days Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Milo Rural Volunteer Fire Department, Canyonville-South Umpqua Fire District and Riddle Fire Protection District began lightning reconnaissance and response efforts.

Pope said crews located a single lightning struck tree with an estimated 0.01-acre fire spread into nearby vegetation. DFPA crews trailed the fire, named the 1610 fire, throughout the night.

Pope said crews also located two lightning-struck trees with an estimated 0.01-acre fire spread into nearby vegetation. The fire, named the Joe Hall Fire, was trailed and mopped up by responding crews.

Both fires were transferred to the Umpqua National Forest, Tiller Ranger District, on Wednesday morning.

On Wednesday morning, crews from DFPA and Cow Creek Tribal Fire Management located a single lightning struck tree with an estimated 0.1-acre fire spread into nearby vegetation. Pope said crews initiated an aggressive initial attack, knocked down the forward spread, and had lined 50 percent of the fire as of Wednesday afternoon. Work on the fire will continue until mop-up is complete.

Pope said DFPA reminds the public that lightning can produce holdover fires that may not become visible immediately following a storm. The public is encouraged to remain alert for smoke or fire in areas that recently experienced lightning and to report any signs of wildfire promptly. Lightning reconnaissance in the area will continue for several more days.