Local News

Firefighters Halted Small Fire on Dutcher Creek Road Northwest of Wilderville

Firefighters mounted an aggressive attack to halt the forward progress of a small fire northwest of Wilderville yesterday.

The Oregon Department of Forestry and Rural Metro Fire Department responded to a reported fire north of Dutcher Creek Road late Friday morning. Arriving units found a blaze in the same general area where two other fires were recently found.

ODF and Rural Metro crews engaged the fire in an aggressive initial attack that included Type 1 and Type 2 helicopters as well as an air tanker.

By 12:30 p.m., crews had the fire wet-lined, which means they used water to spray down the fire's edge, temporarily stopping the spread. They continued to dig a permanent line and began mopping up. Aircraft conducted water drops until the blaze was stopped.

By 12:50 p.m., firefighters had hose around the fire and stopped the progression at an estimated half-acre. Mop-up continued throughout the afternoon. No structures were threatened and no injuries were reported.

ODF said the cause of the fire was under investigation.
Posted on 7/20/24 6:37AM by Sam Marsh