Correction, August 25, 2025 3:09 pm: A report on the two fires near Philomath were previously reported as occurring on Aug. 17 but they were actually on Aug. 18. The News regrets the error.
Fire crews from multiple agencies battled two separate wildfires within hours of each other Monday afternoon to successfully protect threatened structures while containing both blazes, Philomath Fire and Rescue reported.
The first fire erupted near Seeley Creek on Highway 34 on the afternoon of Aug. 18. Philomath Fire and Rescue responded at 2:29 p.m. with mutual aid to the Alsea Rural Fire Protection District. The blaze quickly consumed an unoccupied barn before crews arrived but firefighters managed to protect two homes and a large shop that were in immediate danger.
Philomath sent a brush engine, water tender and command vehicle as part of its response. Alsea Rural Fire crews were first on scene joined by Oregon Department of Forestry personnel with three apparatus and multiple crew members. Monroe Rural Fire Protection District and Corvallis Fire Department also responded, with Corvallis backfilling Philomath’s station while sending additional resources to the fire.
By 3 p.m., all structures were out of danger and the fire was contained at 2.96 acres. The Oregon Department of Forestry officially took over the incident at 4:59 p.m.
Just as crews were wrapping up the first incident, a second wildfire sparked near Cutler Lane on Airport Road at 5:36 p.m. Initially reported as a grass fire measuring 100 by 300 feet, the blaze grew rapidly.
Philomath Fire and Rescue Chief Chancy Ferguson spotted a large smoke column from the Fern Road and Grange Hall Road intersection and immediately called for additional resources. Upon arrival, crews discovered the fire had already spread to an estimated 7 to 8 acres, prompting an all-county response.
The expanded response brought Monroe Rural Fire with two brush engines and a water tender, plus additional Oregon Department of Forestry command vehicles and brush engines. Philomath sent a brush engine, water tender and a command vehicle.
One home faced immediate threat from the second fire but arriving crews quickly established structure protection to prevent any damage. No other buildings were endangered.
Firefighters succeeded in controlling the second blaze at 17.86 acres.
No responders were injured at either incident.