July 14, 2025 11:20 a.m. 

Crews with the Douglas Forest Protective Association and North Douglas County Fire and EMS dealt with a slash fire on Putnam Valley Road near Drain on Saturday afternoon.

DFPA Public Information Officer Rachel Pope said firefighters responded at approximately 1:30 p.m. and found a half-acre fire in an active logging operation on steep terrain. Pope said crews took immediate action and began constructing a progressive hoselay around the fire’s perimeter, which included five engines from DFPA, a squad, a dozer, an air attack and North Douglas’s Type 6 engine along with two water tenders.

Pope said rolling debris contributed to two smaller spot fires. Each was lined and mopped up by the end of the day. About 60 percent of mop-up was completed on the main fire before the day ended. Crews returned Sunday morning to continue working on the fire and achieved 100 percent mop-up by 3:30 p.m.

Pope said the cause of the Putnam Valley Road Fire was under investigation. Fire danger remains High across the Douglas District. Fire season information and details about restrictions are posted at www.dfpa.net