Combine Starts Field Fire Near Dilley (Photo) - 07/10/26
At 2:55pm on Friday July 10th, Forest Grove Firefighters were dispatched to a reported miscellaneous fire involving a combine in a field on SW Spring Hill Road near SW Fern Hill Road. Shortly after being dispatched, our crews upgraded the incident to a Brush Fire due to the potential for a field fire. While responding, crews saw a column of smoke and upgraded the incident to a confirmed fire (also called a First Alarm). First arriving crews found two fires burning approximately one acre of the field and spreading away from the combine. Due to increased winds pushing the fire, the incident was upgraded to a Second Alarm at 3:08pm to bring additional resources. Crews used four-wheel drive apparatus to drive along the fires edge and extinguish the fire. They were successful with extinguishing West side of the fire, but winds continued spreading the flames to the East and South. At 3:30pm we upgraded the incident to a Third Alarm to have additional resources work on extinguishing the active flame front that was endangering the shop as well as heavy vegetation.
At 3:59pm the fire was deemed under control, and the Incident Commander began releasing mutual aid crews back to their home stations. Crews continued to put out hot spots for approximately an additional 30 minutes and at time of release, a fire crew is remaining on scene to patrol for hot spots.
The fire burned approximately 7 acres and was started while a combine that was processing the cut crimson clover field.
As we are in the middle of the summer fire season and fires can start and quickly spread, residents living in rural areas should be prepared to evacuate.
Forest Grove Fire & Rescue was assisted on scene by Gaston Fire District, Cornelius Fire Department, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, Banks Fire District, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Yamhill Fire District, AMR and Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Scene Stats:
Engines – 3
Brush Units - 9
Water Tenders - 5
Chiefs - 5
Total Fire Personnel – 42
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