Sweet Home firefighters responded late Thursday morning, June 1, to a brush fire near Holley School, Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District reported.
SHFAD and Oregon Department of Forestry personnel responded at 11:49 a.m. to the 40000 block of Crawfordsville Drive, where they found a fire actively burning in grass and brush near the school. The fire took about 30 minutes to contain, SHFAD reported.
Crews had to use a “progressive hose lay” to reach the fire. This technique involves rolling out and connecting hose while approaching a fire on foot.
As a precaution, the school district was notified of the fire, although it never threatened the school. The fire, which was estimated to be a half-acre in size, was caused by an electric fence, SHFAD said.
No injuries were reported, and no structures were threatened.
The fire district is reminding people that fuels in the area are very dry.
“We normally do not see fuels this dry until July,” SHFAD said in a statement. “We understand that is only June 1, but with the lack of rain during May, the fuels are now cured and dry. We are also experiencing winds that can create rapid fire growth and make it difficult to put out. We ask that everyone please use extra caution with anything that may cause an accidental ignition to grass, brush or any vegetation.”