July 27, 2024 5:00 p.m. 

Crews with the Douglas Forest Protective Association dealt with the Spike Buck Fire in the Yoncalla area early Friday evening.

Public Information Officer Rachel Pope said at 5:15 p.m. DFPA and North Douglas County Fire and EMS responded to an estimated quickly moving 2-acre fire located in an estimated 1-10-year-old replanted timber unit, about 8 miles northeast of Yoncalla.

Pope said DFPA’s air attack, and an incident commander arrived on the scene and determined that additional resources were needed to assist in the initial attack. Additional ground resources from the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Coos Forest Protective Association were dispatched. Pope said aerial resources, which included DFPA’s air attack, DFPA’s contracted helicopter and three other ODF severity resources, performed several bucket drops, knocking the heat out of an estimated 9.6 acres fire.

Ground crews, including DFPA’s dozer and Tender 18, made significant progress throughout the night. The fire was 100 percent plumbed with the perimeter in check, allowing firefighters to move into the interior, extinguishing heat and removing fuels down to the bare mineral soil as they go.

Pope said crews will continue working on this fire for several more days. Smoke will remain visible until the fire is 100 percent mopped up and in patrol status. The cause of the Spike Buck Fire is under investigation.