Firework Sparks Wildfire Northwest of Myrtle Creek

(DFPA) The Douglas Forest Protective Association and the Myrtle Creek Rural Fire Department suppressed a natural cover fire Tuesday afternoon, located five miles northwest of Myrtle Creek. Crews responded to the fire, located between the end of Weigle Road and the South Umpqua River, at 4:30 PM. The Weigle Road Fire scorched a quarter acre of grass and brush before firefighters contained the blaze. Crews remained on scene of the fire for an hour and a half, mopping up hot spots and securing control lines. Evidence located at the scene of the fire indicated that the cause of the Weigle Road Fire was related to the use of fireworks, however, the responsible party was not located. Anyone with information about the Weigle Road Fire is asked to contact DFPA. With the 4th of July holiday right around the corner, fire officials remind that the use of fireworks are currently prohibited in wildland areas. Individuals discharging fireworks in wildland areas can be fined up to $1,000 in addition to being billed for fire suppression cost if their actions result in the start of a wildfire.