The Douglas Forest Protective Association and local fire departments responded to two natural cover fires Tuesday afternoon.
The first fire was reported at 1:50 p.m. near Highway 138 West, Mile Post 16. A brushing crew in the area from the Douglas County Public Works Department and employees from ODOT worked on suppressing the fire before DFPA and Kellogg Volunteer Fire Department arrived on scene. Firefighters were able to stop the fire spread at 1/2 acre. Firefighters remained on scene until 6:00 p.m. securing fire trails and mopping up hot spots.
Fire officials determined that the fire was caused by a holdover debris pile which was burned earlier this spring. Fire official ask that anyone who has burned debris piles this past winter or spring, check the burned area for any remaining heat or smoke, as debris piles have the ability to smolder for long periods of time before popping back to life on hot, windy days.
As firefighters were responding to the fire on Highway 138 West, a second fire was reported at 1:55 p.m. at Cooper Creek Reservoir near Sutherlin. Firefighters from DFPA, Douglas County Fire District #2, and Fair Oaks Rural Fire Department responded to the fire and stopped the spread at 1/10th of an acre.
Fire officials determined that the Cooper Creek fire was started by juveniles playing with a lighter.
With hot, dry weather forecasted for the next week, fire officials ask that everyone know and follow the public use restrictions currently in effect. Fire official says that the dry fuels in wildland areas are currently at conditions normally seen towards the end of July or early August.
For a complete list of public or industrial restrictions currently in effect, visit www.dfpa.net or call 541-672-0379.