Due to drying fuels and increasing fire danger, the Douglas Forest Protective Association will implement Public Use Restrictions on July 1st, 2017 at 12:01 a.m. These fire prevention measures will be in place on all 1.6 million acres of private, county, state, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Indian Affairs lands protected by DFPA.
Mill Silo Fire
At 2:59 a.m. this morning Douglas County Fire District No.2 was dispatched to a reported fire in the lumber yard of Douglas County Forrest Products located at 398 Del Rio Road.
Douglas County Dispatch received several calls about an explosion being heard in the area just before the fire was seen. The first DCFD2 fire crew arrived to find the silo and three wood chip shaving bids were fully involved with fire.
The mechanism of these explosions are a backdraft like phenomenon, which is the result of oxygen being introduced into areas built-up of heat and gases from incomplete combustion needing only a source of oxygen for a combustion explosion.
The explosion was possible by the presence of wood dust, which may have added to the fuel load in the form of finely dispersed combustible particles. The silo and duct work are approximately 80 feet in height, which made firefighting efforts even more difficult, so a second ladder truck from Roseburg Fire Department was dispatched to the scene.
One of the mill employees needed medical attention, and one DCFD2 firefighter had an injury at the scene. Both were transported to Mercy Medical Center for further evaluation.
Deputy Chief Completes EFO Program
Deputy Chief Rob Bullock of Douglas County Fire District No.2 has successfully completed the “Executive Fire Officer Program” (EFO), through the Nation Fire Academy (NFA).
The National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program provides senior fire officers with a broad perspective on various facets of fire and emergency services administration. The courses and accompanying research examine how to exercise leadership when dealing with difficult or unique problems within communities.
The program takes four years to complete and consisted taking one course per year. Each course is two weeks in duration and is the equivalent of an upper division baccalaureate or graduate level course.
Hubbard Creek Fire
At 1:00 p.m. Thursday afternoon Douglas County Fire District No.2 was dispatched to a reported structure fire at 2307 Hubbard Creek Road in Umpqua. The first DCFD2 fire crew arrived at the scene to find the back and the interior of the structure fully involved with fire.
Fire crews were met in the driveway by the owner and advised that the structure had no occupants. As additional personnel arrived they surrounded the structure with hose lines to keep the fire from spreading to any other structures.
Schudeiske Road Fire
At 2:26 p.m. Thursday afternoon Douglas County Fire District No.2 was dispatched to a reported structure fire at 632 Schudeiske Road. Dispatch received multiple calls reporting that flames and heavy black smoke were being seen from the area and from travelers on the freeway.
The first DCFD2 fire crew arrived at 2:42 p.m. from the Winchester Fire Station to find a two car garage that was fully involved. The fire had already vented itself through the garage roof and was penetrating the eves on the second story of the home. The home owner advised the crews that all occupants and their pets were out of the structure.
Shadow Ranch Lane House Fire
At 9:44 p.m. Sunday evening Douglas County Fire District No.2 was dispatched to a reported structure fire at 304 Shadow Ranch Lane. On arrival at the scene firefighters reported the heavy smoke and flames coming from the front door and kitchen area of a manufactured home. The owner reported that the fire began in the kitchen on the stove and quickly extended into the cupboards and the wall.
The owner and his family safely exited the house after calling 911. The Red Cross responded to provide assistance to the family.
DCFD2 crews worked to extinguish the fire in kitchen and living room area and prevent it from spreading to the rest of the house. The house suffered heavy smoke damage throughout. Crews remained on the scene for a while digging through the smoldering debris to cool and remove hot spots in the kitchen and living room.
Fire investigators believe the fire started on the stove and caught materials near the stove on fire.
DCFD2 responded to this incident with 12 firefighters on 3 fire engines and 1 command unit. They were assisted by the Red Cross, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Pacific Power and Light.
DCFD2 would like to remind everyone to make sure you keep combustible items away from the stove and oven elements while cooking and to make sure they are turned off when you are finished cooking.
For more home fire safety tips, visit: http://www.oregon.gov/osp/SFM/pages/commed_firesafety_program.aspx