A Whiskey Butte fire destroyed a barn, several vehicles and some young timber on Aug. 8.
A report of the fire was received at 6:49 p.m. that day. Firefighters arrived at 40566 Whiskey Butte Rd. at 7:09 p.m., clearing the scene of the fire at 10:20.
An accidental fire started in a barn on the property, Fire Chief Dean Gray said. The fire destroyed the barn, which was full involved when Chief Gray, who was the first structural firefighter on the scene, arrived. The fire also damaged or destroyed four vehicles, a speed boat and three tractors. All that remained of the barn by the time firefighters arrive was the frame.
The barn was approximately 100 years old, Chief Gray said. It was used for storage and had some hay in it. It also had been used for social events.
The fire spread from the barn into three to five acres of a grassy field and young trees.
“It was extremely dangerous,” Chief Gray said. “We had some exposure issues.”
Two large residential propane tanks and a 55-gallon drum of gasoline were endangered by the fire, putting firefighters into a defensive mode of operation, Chief Gray said. The propane tanks also threatened the nearby owner’s residence, but favorable wind helped protect the home.
As the fire spread into the field, the Oregon Department of Forestry responded and assisted the Sweet Home Fire Department.
There was large timber nearby and “there was a potential wildland issue there,” Chief Gray said. The fire got to within approximately 1,000 yards of a significant timber stand. “It had every potential of being a nasty fire.”
The fire department drew water from Wiley Creek at Highway 20, Chief Gray said. They had been unaware of the location of a closer water supply. Using a water tender and an older engine, the department shuttled water from Wiley Creek to the fire.
ODF has since the fire opened a roadway and marked the location of the nearby water supply, Chief Gray said.
“It was a good cooperative effort on both the ODF and the Sweet Home Fire Department’s parts,” Chief Gray said. “It was good to get up there and stop it at the small fire we actually had.”
Property damage was estimated at $50,000 for the barn, $150,000 for the contents and $75,000 for the vehicles, Chief Gray said. The state deputy fire marshal was unable to determine a cause but ruled the fire accidental.
The property is owned and occupied by Robert A. Peel.
Peel sustained minor burns after initially attempting to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher, Chief Gray said. He attempted to remove some personal items and his shirt caught fire, causing the burns.
Eight SHFD volunteers responded to the call with three paid personnel on two engines and one water tender.
Fire officials, including state Deputy Fire Marshal C.W. Munson, are continuing to investigate a fire at 1530 Tamarack St. space 89 in Mountain Shadows Trailer Park. The fire occurred on Aug. 2.
Investigators have ruled out suspected juvenile firesetting as the cause of the fire, Chief Gray said, but investigators still consider the fire suspicious.
“It is suspicious in that we do not have a confident source of ignition in the room (where it started),” Chief Gray said. “We’ve been able to rule out all the sources of accidental ignition in the room.”