DFPA Crews Catch Five Fires Since Fire Season Began
The Douglas Forest Protective Association says each fire was contained quickly, while crews have also responded to about 15 illegal debris burn calls across the district.
Smoke drifts across a hillside in the Douglas District after one of several small fires DFPA crews responded to during the opening days of fire season. Photo courtesy Douglas Forest Protective Association.
ROSEBURG, Ore. — Fire crews in the Douglas District have responded to five fires since the official start of fire season, with each incident contained quickly through rapid response from the Douglas Forest Protective Association and partner agencies.
DFPA said the fires occurred between May 30 and June 2 in areas including Canyonville, Myrtle Creek, Tyee and Roseburg. The incidents ranged from a 1/100-acre industrial fire to grass, bark mulch and natural cover fires up to about a half-acre.
The first reported incident was the Days Creek Bridge Fire near Canyonville on May 30. Crews from DFPA, Days Creek Rural Fire Department, Canyonville South Umpqua Fire District and Milo Rural Fire Protection District responded around 6 p.m. to a natural cover fire near the Days Creek Bridge in the 10000 block of Tiller Trail Highway. Firefighters found a 1/10-acre fire and quickly extinguished and mopped it up.
On May 31, crews responded to the Mill Fire near Myrtle Creek. DFPA, Central Douglas Fire & Rescue and Lookingglass Rural Fire District were called around 2:25 p.m. to a natural cover fire near the 10500 block of Old Highway 99 South. Crews found a half-acre grass and bark mulch fire and quickly extinguished it.
On June 2, DFPA crews responded to the Pheasant Creek Fire, an industrial fire about 6.5 miles west of Tyee. DFPA said the 1/100-acre fire had already been extinguished by industrial operators when crews arrived. DFPA personnel assisted with mop-up to make sure the area was fully secured.
Later that afternoon, crews from DFPA, Central Douglas Fire & Rescue and Lookingglass Rural Fire District responded to the Longhorn Lane Fire near the 600 block of Longhorn Lane in Roseburg. Firefighters arrived around 4:45 p.m. and found a fully involved vehicle fire in a hayfield, along with about a half-acre grass fire. Both were quickly extinguished.
While crews were working the Longhorn Lane Fire, the DFPA incident commander noticed a smoke column near the ridgeline of the nearby Callahan Mountains.
DFPA crews then responded to the Devil’s Den Fire, about 1.5 miles northwest of the Longhorn Lane incident near Callahan Road. Crews found a quarter-acre fire, stopped its forward spread, built handline and completed about 95% mop-up before leaving the scene for the night. DFPA crews returned Wednesday morning to finish mop-up operations.
DFPA said minimal smoke may remain visible in the area as firefighters complete suppression work.
Along with the five fires, DFPA said crews have responded to an estimated 15 illegal debris burn calls since fire season began. The agency reminded residents that fire season restrictions are now in effect and debris burning is restricted.
As vegetation continues to dry and fire danger increases, DFPA is urging residents to follow current fire season restrictions, avoid activities that may create sparks in dry vegetation and report smoke or fire immediately by calling 911.
Cover image: A firefighter works through smoky terrain during mop-up operations following a recent fire response in the Douglas District. Photo courtesy Douglas Forest Protective Association.
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