Burn Pile Burns Out of Control Threatening Nearby Home

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Firefighters from Forest Grove Fire & Rescue, the Oregon Department of Forestry Forest Grove Unit, and the Cornelius Fire Department were called to the scene of a brush fire on NW David Hill Road this morning. When fire crews arrived at 10:31 this morning they found approximately 1/2 acre of grass, brush, and stumps burning on a private residential property at 47930 NW David Hill Road.

Crews were able to quickly gain the upper hand on the fire because the area where it was burning had recently been mowed and the tall grass was lying down allowing for a much slower fire spread. Fortunately firefighters stopped the fire within feet of heavier brush and trees that were directly below a neighboring home (within 300 feet of the home). Because of this threat and in combination with the gusty winds in the area for a short time incident commanders placed a fire engine and crew to protect this threatened home if the fire did jump the line into these heavier fuels.

During the fire investigation the homeowner admitted to starting a burn pile this morning on the property. He stated that he believed it was cool enough outside to burn safely, but when the wind came up it quickly fanned the flames and spread embers into nearby grass allowing the fire to burn out of control up hill towards his neighbor's home. There was no dollar value for the property lost during this fire.

Photo: FGF&R Lieutenant Chris Woodford applies foam to get at the root system of a stump that was burning.


Author:Forest Grove Fire & Rescue Press Release