July 23, 2026 3:50 a.m.

Crews with the Douglas Forest Protective Association responded to a natural cover fire along Interstate 5 southbound on Wednesday afternoon.

A DFPA post said the fire was called in shortly before 3:15 p.m. Central Douglas Fire & Rescue and the Oregon State Police also were dispatched to the fire near milepost 134 on the south end of the Sutherlin area.

Upon arrival, firefighters located an estimated half acre grass fire with a slow rate of spread. Crews quickly knocked down the forward spread of the fire, allowing additional responding resources to be canceled. Just after 4:00 p.m. mop up of the area was complete and DPFA resources were released. Traffic control was no longer in place.

The cause of the fire is under active investigation.