An illegal burn got out of control today on the Upper Calapooia threatening a structure and triggering a first alarm response. Sweet Home Fire and ODF responded to a report of a large natural cover fire in the area. The first arriving unit reported a fire approximately half an acre in size moving into heavy brush at a moderate rate of spread, and threatening a home. An Incident Commander, one brush rig, one engine, and a pumper tender responded from Sweet Home Fire accompanied by 2 engines and 2 command staff from ODF. Brownsville Fire provided a water tender which was canceled en route once the fire was brought under control. Firefighters were able to stop the fire just feet from the home, and extinguished flames which had reached the top of a 75 foot tree standing near the home. The fire was extinguished and mopped up without incident.
East of Sweet Home a new fire started today up Sheep Creek in the Middle Santiam Wilderness, following the Bingham Fire which started yesterday and has reached 181 acres in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness to the North. With East winds in the forecast, these incidents are a clear indication that fire season is not over. We would like to use this opportunity to remind residents that backyard burning is still prohibited and current conditions will likely mean a delay in the start of burn season. To find out if it is lawful to burn, residents must call the burn information line each day for the daily burning advisory. That number is (541)451-1904.