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Forest Grove wildfire source unknown

Blaze on private lands brings crews out in mutual aid

A small wildland fire in Forest Grove had two local fire departments and the Wildfire Management Branch's Storm Riders working as a mutual force on Sept. 14.

100 Mile House Fire-Rescue chief Darrell Blades says his crew was called out mid-afternoon to provide mutual aid to Forest Grove Volunteer Fire Department (FGVFD) for a blaze on private property near the end of Cheetah Road.

The engine, brush truck, water tender, command vehicle and 10 members dispatched from 100 Mile House assisted about a dozen members of the FGVFD with two engines and two water tenders, he explains.

Blades notes the burning wildland generally consisted of a mix of scattered dead pine and fields.

"There was a residence there, but it was quite a way from the house – it was large acreage."

The blaze didn't get close enough to threaten any neighbouring buildings or property either, he says, adding the owner of the residential property was not at home at the time.

Blades notes the cause of the fire was undetermined when his crew left the scene in the hands of the Storm Riders around 6 p.m. It was fully contained at that time, he notes, so it just needed the remaining hot spots dealt with and patrolled.