May 1, 2021 6:50 a.m.

An escaped debris burn scorched a half-acre of brush east of Sutherlin on Friday afternoon.

Kyle Reed of the Douglas Forest Protective Association said crews from DFPA, and from departments in Sutherlin, Oakland and Fair Oaks responded to the fire around 2:15 p.m. It was located near Plat I Reservoir. Reed said crews quickly contained the blaze and remained on scene for about two hours, mopping up hot spots and securing control lines.

Reed said the Plat I Fire came a day after firefighters suppressed a natural cover fire 9 miles southwest of Winston, near Byron Creek Road. Crews from DFPA and from departments in Tenmile and Winston, responded to the Byron Creek Fire at about 8:00 a.m. Upon arrival, firefighters reported that the fire was an acre in size and was in an area that was inaccessible by fire apparatus. Reed said crews hiked into the fire and used hand tools to stop the spread of the fire. The Byron Creek Fire burned one and a half acres of grass and brush. Firefighters remained on the scene until 3:00 p.m. An investigation determined that the fire was caused by a debris pile that was left smoldering from the night before.

Reed said residents should remember that those who choose to burn yard debris are liable for fire suppression costs and damages to neighboring properties if their burn escapes containment.