September 9, 2023 6:45 a.m.

Friday afternoon at approximately 2:00 p.m., crews with the Douglas Forest Protective Association, along with Douglas County Fire District No.2 and the Winston-Dillard Fire District, responded to a 1/100th of an acre fire located in the center median of Interstate Five at the Winston exit near milepost 119.

DFPA Public Information Officer Rachael Pope said upon arrival at the scene, responders found that Oregon State Police troopers and deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office had the fire knocked down. Pope said the cause of the Mile Post 119 I5 SB Fire was found to be vehicle-related. It was visible to the public, but not a threat to nearby traffic. Crews mopped up and cleared the area by 2:20 p.m.

Pope said the current fire danger level is moderate and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level is at IFPL2. Minimal rain, cooler temperatures, and lessened daylight hours have not decreased the danger of fire.

Fire season information is at www.dfpa.net