June 24, 2020 4:00 a.m.

Fireworks sparked a wildfire on Tuesday afternoon.

Kyle Reed of the Douglas Forest Protective Association said DFPA crews and firefighters from the Myrtle Creek Rural Fire Department suppressed a natural cover fire, five miles northwest of Myrtle Creek. Crews responded to the fire, located between the end of Weigle Road and the South Umpqua River, at 4:30 p.m. The Weigle Road Fire scorched a quarter acre of grass and brush before firefighters contained the blaze. Reed said crews remained on the scene for about ninety minutes, mopping up hot spots and securing control lines.

Reed said the person responsible for using the fireworks was not located. Anyone with information about the Weigle Road Fire is asked to contact DFPA.

With the 4th of July holiday right around the corner, Reed said residents should remember that the use of fireworks is prohibited in wildland areas. People discharging fireworks in wildland areas can be fined up to $1,000 in addition to being billed for fire suppression costs if their actions result in the start of a wildfire.