Fire Crews Respond to Pre-Fire Season Wildfire, June 9

At about 2:00 pm June 6, 2014, crews from Coos Forest Protective Association (CFPA) and Coos Bay Fire responded to a report of wildfire off East Bay Drive. Fire fighters quickly knocked the flames down and are trailing the 0.2 acre fire. They expect to have the fire contained by 5:00 pm. According to CFPA, the cause of the fire won’t be known for sure until the investigation is complete but there has been some burning done recently on the property where the fire occurred. The landowner is reported to have been out of town for several days. “It looks like the landowner has been clearing some underbrush and burning it.” said John Flannigan Fire Prevention Specialist for Coos Forest Protective Association. “The clearing looks good but you can see where some piles burned deep into old stumps and areas of duff. It would not be uncommon for some fire to keep burning in this kind of material for extended amounts of time and then be re-kindled and spread by the wind.”  Fire season is just around the corner and residents are urged to use extra caution if they choose to burn. Be sure the area around the burn is cleared to mineral soil and that the fire is out before it is left unattended. Burn piles are extinguished just like campfires. Douse them with water stir the ashes and douse with more water, then check for heat. Repeat as needed until the heat is gone.