Rice Creek Fire Burns 15 Acres Thursday Afternoon

(DFPA) Crews from the Douglas Forest Protective Association, Winston – Dillard Fire Department, and Douglas County Fire District #2 responded to a grass fire Thursday afternoon on Rice Creek Road, located four miles south of Winston. Crews arrived on scene of the fire around 3:40 PM and reported a fast moving grass fire estimated to be one acre in size that was climbing up the hillside toward a stand of timber. Three helicopters worked to slow the forward spread of the fire while ground resources worked to contain the fire. Two bulldozers were used to construct fire line around the blaze while firefighters from nine engines worked to install hose lays around the fire. Strong winds and an abundance of dead and downed material from last winter’s snow storm challenged firefighters as they worked to contain the blaze. By 6:15 PM, the incident commander for the Rice Creek Road Fire reported that dozer line had been completed around the fire and crews were starting to mop hotspots. Firefighters will remain on scene of the Rice Creek Road Fire overnight, working to fully secure the fire. The Rice Creek Road Fire is estimated to have burned 15 acres of wildland fuels and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Photos - DFPA