Blazing temperatures spark two brush fires in Washington County

Scorching temperatures kept firefighters busy this weekend, with two brush fires sweeping fields in unincorporated Washington County Friday, July 5.

Responders from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue were first dispatched to a fast-moving brush fire just after 3 p.m. in the 32000 block of Southwest Firdale Road, south of Hillsboro.

With flames nearing structures and no fire hydrants nearby, crews upgraded the incident to a second-alarm fire to bring in more firefighters and brush vehicles.

According to authorities, firefighters managed to surround and contain the fire to protect nearby structures; it took crews two hours to mop up and ensure all hot spots were quelled. The fire burned an estimated 19 acres, the fire agency reported.

While crews worked on Firdale Road, another brush fire ignited near Southwest Scholls-Sherwood and Southwest Roy Rogers roads, just north of Sherwood.

High winds pushed the fire fast across the field, but responders limited the damage to two acres of recently cut hay.

Crews spent 90 minutes on site dousing hot spots and preventing the flames from spreading to a 30-acre field of crops. No injuries or structural damage were reported.

According to authorities, both blazes were caused by farm equipment.

As a result of the high heat, TVF&R has added additional units to attend to fires.