Firefighters from Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District and the Oregon Department of Forestry responded to the north end of 22nd Avenue Wednesday morning, Sept. 15, to a plume of smoke coming from a patch of forest on the east side of Bi-Mart.
SHFAD Chief Dave Barringer said the department got a call at 11:19 a.m. and responded to 2208 Nandina St.
“The response was quick,” he said, crediting help from ODF.
“We appreciate the mutual aid from ODF, who immediately respond to any brush fire within the city limits that they think they can help with. They’re really good at combining with our crew. They go above and beyond to make sure things are working well.”
SHFAD responded with a battalion chief’s rig and Engine 25, which is four-wheel drive, to get water on the flames and stop the fire at less than a tenth of an acre, Barringer said.
ODF personnel then cut a trail around the area.
Barringer said the cause of the fire was not entirely clear, but “materials used for smoking” were found near the source of the blaze. He noted that the area is frequented by transients.
“We believe it was misuse of smoking products,” he said.