Wildfire

Lightning Sparks Four Small Fires Across Southern Douglas County

Firefighters responded to five small fires across Douglas County during and after the Labor Day weekend, including four caused by lightning. No homes or structures were threatened.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - Firefighters responded to five small fires across Douglas County during and after the Labor Day weekend, including four sparked by lightning, according to the Douglas Forest Protective Association.

The fires followed two lightning storms that moved through southern Douglas County on the evening of Sept. 5 and the morning of Sept. 6. Despite recent rainfall, DFPA said conditions remained capable of supporting fire activity.

Crews from DFPA and several rural fire departments responded to the fires:

Tunnel Fire near Glendale: Firefighters responded to Withycombe Grade Road shortly before 7:50 p.m. Saturday and found a lightning-caused vegetation fire measuring about 1/100th of an acre. The fire was extinguished and officially contained after three checks found no remaining heat or smoke.
Gravel Pit Fire near Riddle: DFPA and the Riddle Fire Protection District responded to Gravel Pit Lane shortly before 4 a.m. Sunday. The lightning-caused fire was knocked down and mopped up before being placed in patrol status.
Packard Gulch Fire near Days Creek: Crews responded Sunday afternoon to an area about 1.5 miles northwest of Tiller Trail Highway. A lightning-struck tree had spread fire to about 1/100th of an acre of vegetation. The fire was lined and mopped up and remained in patrol status Tuesday pending one additional check.
Canyon Creek Fire near Canyonville: Firefighters responded Monday afternoon to smoke about four-tenths of a mile west of Interstate 5 near milepost 96. They found a lightning-struck tree and a vegetation fire measuring approximately 1/100th of an acre. DFPA reported Tuesday that mop-up work was about 80% complete.
Pass Creek Fire near Curtin: DFPA and North Douglas County Fire & EMS responded shortly after 7 a.m. Tuesday to a natural-cover fire near railroad tracks west of southbound Interstate 5 near milepost 166.5. Firefighters stopped the forward spread of the 1/100th-acre fire before DFPA completed mop-up work. The cause remained under investigation.

No homes or other structures were threatened by any of the fires.

DFPA said the activity serves as a reminder that fire season remains in effect despite recent precipitation. Restrictions on public and industrial activities will increase at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9.

Debris burning remains prohibited.