August 15, 2020 7:00 a.m.
Crews from the Douglas Forest Protective Association and the Sutherlin Fire Department responded to a reported grass fire Friday morning, five miles west of Sutherlin.
Kyle Reed of DFPA said crews arrived on the scene around 11:20 a.m. and reported that a downed power line had sparked two grass fires about five hundred feet apart near the intersection of Fork McKay Road and Crouch Road. Reed said crews were able to quickly stop the forward spread of both fires but had to wait for the power company to de-energize the power line before they could fully contain the fires. The Crouch Road Fires burned a combined total of one acre of grass. Crews remained on the scene until 1:15 p.m.
Reed said crews from DFPA and local fire departments continue to respond to illegal burns on almost a daily basis. Friday morning, DFPA firefighters responded to an illegal debris burn in the Kent Creek area, outside of Dillard. Crews found a smoldering debris pile that was left unattended. Later in the day, crews responded to illegal campfires north of Myrtle Creek in the Boomer Hill area and in the Cow Creek area outside of Riddle.
Fire officials remind residents that all backyard debris burning, including both debris piles and burn barrels, remains prohibited on DFPA protected land. Campfires are only allowed within DFPA designated campgrounds. People found burning illegally can be fined up to $1,000 in addition to being billed for the fire suppression costs if their actions result in the start of a wildfire. Illegal burns can be reported to DFPA by calling 672-6507 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., seven days a week. Outside of those hours, illegal burns can be reported to the Douglas County Communications non-emergency number at 440-4471.
DFPA worked with the Oregon Department of Forestry to pre-position two single engine air tankers at the Roseburg Regional Airport to assist with potential new fire starts over the weekend, due to the increased fire danger throughout southwestern Oregon. The SEAT’s arrived Friday afternoon, and are scheduled to be in Roseburg until at least Monday. The fixed wing aircraft are used to fight wildfires by delivering around 800 gallons of water, fire suppressant or fire retardant to wildfires. In addition, both of DFPA’s fixed wing recon aircraft are available for new fire starts, as are two additional ODF severity helicopters which have been stationed in Douglas County since mid-July.
