Forest Grove, OR. — Official Release: At 5:51 pm on Sunday July 13th, Forest Grove Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a field fire near the intersection of NW Thatcher Road and NW Kemper Road in rural Washington County. Firefighters arrived shortly after to find a fire burning in a grass field, with winds pushing the flames towards two barns. Fire crews set up to protect these structures while other crews in specially built four wheel drive brush rigs, drove in the field and attacked the flames. Due to quick actions by firefighters, the structures were not damaged. It took firefighters approximately 40 minutes on scene to deem the incident under control, while spending an additional hour checking for hotspots.
In total, the fire burned close to four acres of the field and nearby light vegetation. No fire personnel or civilians were injured. The cause of the fire appears to be from welding that was being done in the field.
With dry conditions and warm weather, we want to remind citizens to not conduct welding or metal grinding near any vegetation. Also avoid the use of lawn mowers and weed eaters during the hottest times of the day when humidity is the lowest.
Forest Grove Fire & Rescue was assisted on scene by Cornelius Fire Department, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, Banks Fire District, Gaston Fire District, Washington County Sheriff and AMR.
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