JEFFERSON, Ore. — The 20 acre fire that has been burning along I-5 at the South Jefferson Exit 238 is now 100% contained. The owner of a timber parcel in the burn area, Roseburg Products, sent in a 20-person hand crew to help with the mop-up stage. Crews worked through the night on the northeast corner of the fire to ensure it would not jump the containment line. It will take a couple of days for crews to ensure that all of the fire is out. Approximately 25 Firefighters with several fire vehicles continue to transport water and work on the fire.
OSP is investigating the cause of numerous fires that were started along a 40-50 mile stretch of northbound I-5. Jefferson Fire Chief Don Bemrose indicated that when he was alerted about the fires at 1:55 Wednesday afternoon, he drove north on I-5 and noticed spot fires along the freeway up to milepost 239. As he turned around at the Dever-Conner Exit #239, he saw a hay truck and trailer on fire driving northbound. The truck driver pulled over once he realized there was a problem. Debris from one of the spot fires had ignited the hay on the hay truck near milepost 235.
The fires along I-5 were extinguished by late Wednesday afternoon. Firefighters from local fire agencies worked through the late evening on the large fire located on the south side of Santiam Bluff near exit 238.
There have been no injures reported and no loss of structures during this incident.
With the dry, hot weather forecasted for the next few days, residents are reminded that there is no burning allowed and to be aware of the high fire danger.