August 2, 2024 3:50 a.m.

Thursday afternoon just after 1:00 p.m. crews with the Douglas Forest Protective Association and other agencies responded to a reported ½ acre grass fire, with a column of smoke detected and confirmed by DFPA camera detection operators on Kirkendahl Road in Camas Valley.

Public Information Officer Rachel Pope said due to the quick-moving grass fire and its proximity to structures, DFPA and structural command agreed to initiate evacuations with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Pope said Level 3 evacuation orders were initiated for six homes between the 16900 and 17100 blocks of Highway 42 and the 800-900 blocks of Kirkendahl Road.

Thanks to the collaborative work by all responding agencies, the estimated 6-acre fire’s forward spread was knocked down at approximately 3:30 p.m. allowing the safe decrease of evacuations in place.

Pope said as of 6:00 p.m. Thursday, this fire is 100 percent lined and in mop-up status. Crews will continue to work in the area until it is 100 percent mopped up and in patrol status. All evacuations have been canceled.

Pope said the Kirkendahl Road Fire is human-caused and is currently under investigation.

DFPA was assisted by the Coos Forest Protective Association, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Tenmile Rural Fire District, Camas Valley Rural Fire Protection District, Sutherlin Fire Department, Oregon State Police, Oregon Department of Transportation, and Douglas Electric Cooperative.