A fire that scorched approximately 7 acres in the Fir Grove vicinity Wednesday afternoon north of Pedee involved a response from the Oregon Department of Forestry’s West Oregon District and the Hoskins Kings Valley Rural Fire Protection District.
The cause and origin of the fire, which was detected around 2 p.m., is currently under investigation.
ODF said through a press release issued Wednesday evening that crews were “working hard to get the fire completely lined and plumbed with hose overnight. With the area in a red flag warning, the district and its partners are responding aggressively to keep the footprint as small as possible.”
Resources at the scene include multiple overhead and engines from the ODF West Oregon District, a 20-person hand crew, 10-person hand crew of adults in custody, two dozers, a type 2 helicopter and multiple engines and tenders from local fire departments within Benton, Linn, Polk, Marion and Yamhill counties.
Hoskins-Kings Valley reportedly sent a brush rig with two personnel, including Fire Chief Adam Ryan.
“The West Oregon District, like other areas in western Oregon, are three to four weeks ahead of schedule in terms of fire conditions,” Michael Curran, West Oregon District Forester, said. “I encourage everyone to ensure they are following the current fire restrictions that are in place and be mindful of any activities that may be prone to causing a fire.”
ODF said that once lined and plumbed, the district will remain in the area for the next several days doing mop-up operations and making sure the fire doesn’t re-emerge due to weather conditions.
The ODF West Oregon District is currently designated as in “high” fire danger with warm and dry conditions making the landscape more at risk for wildfire.