Jefferson Fire District personnel were called to a brush fire on Higbee Rd. located north of Santiam Bluff early this afternoon. A spark from a tractor that was baling straw ignited some wheat stubble and started the fire. Wind gusts quickly pushed the fire into thick brush and trees burning approximately 7 acres.
According to Assistant Chief Scott Shepherd, “The fire went to a fourth alarm due to two structures that were threatened.” Approximately 40 firefighters from Jefferson, Albany, Turner, Stayton, and Marion County Fire District #1 assisted with the brush fire. The fire was under control within 2-1/2 hours. Scio Fire District remained on stand-by in Jefferson to cover any other emergencies in the Jefferson Fire District.
The tractor, owned and operated by Tom Brawley of Jefferson, had stalled. When Mr. Brawley tried to get it re-started, he noticed that the wheat stubble under the tractor was on fire. He suffered a minor burn to his leg, but did not require medical treatment.
There were no firefighter injuries reported and the only loss reported was $500 to replace the two front tires on the tractor.