Burn pile ignites 4-acre field fire in Gales Creek

A burn pile sparked the first major blaze of the month for Forest Grove Fire & Rescue, shredding through four acres in Gales Creek.

Crews were dispatched around 1:41 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, to a reported brush fire in the 10000 block of Northwest Shearer Hill Road where firefighters found a blaze burning in a cut wheat field.

Flames began to spread into dense vegetation, prompting responders to upgrade the fire to a second alarm within minutes as firefighters worked to protect nearby structures. By 1:48 p.m., a third alarm was called due to the fire’s rapid spread and the challenging terrain.

The fire was brought under control about an hour after the first units arrived, containing the damage to four acres of field, brush and trees. No structures were damaged, and no evacuations were required. There were no reported injuries.

Firefighters determined that the fire was caused by a burn pile that spread in dry, windy conditions.

Washington County remains under a burn ban, which is expected to last until at least Oct. 15, depending on weather conditions.

In a release, the fire department noted how some burning regulation websites run by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality might say that burning is permitted based on air quality considerations, though burn bans established by fire departments take precedence.

Forest Grove Fire & Rescue was assisted by crews from Cornelius, Banks, Hillsboro, Tualatin Valley, Gaston, Yamhill, the Oregon State Fire Marshal and the Oregon Department of Forestry. Two community members also helped responders by using an excavator and tractor to create a fire break.

In total, 47 fire personnel responded, with nine brush rigs, three engines and six water tenders on scene.

For updated burn restrictions, visit burndaymessage.com.