August 20, 2023 2:00 p.m.

Saturday evening at approximately 5:00 p.m., crews from the Douglas Forest Protective Association and Glide Rural Fire Protection District responded to a two-acre grass and brush fire at Whistler’s Bend Park, northeast of Roseburg.

DFPA Public Information Officer Rachel Pope said on arrival, the fire was estimated to be one acre in size and was moving up the hill quickly. Pope said nearby camp goers safely evacuated the fire area, allowing fire fighters to immediately take action. Proximity to the North Umpqua River aided the helicopter drops that knocked down the forward spread of the fire swiftly. After one hour, due to work from DFPA’s dozer and collaborative work from ground crews, the fire was one hundred percent lined and eighty percent plumbed. By 10:00 p.m. it was totally mopped up and officially in patrol check status.

Pope said because firefighters were quickly able to contain the fire, the park was not shut down and recreation continued as normal. The fire was found to be human caused and is under active investigation.

Pictures from the fire are at www.541radio.com