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Concern high over frequent fires By AMBER FOSSEN Ashland Daily Tidings Scanners blare news of lightning strikes and grass fires. The sound of sirens wail in the distance. The air is often tinged with smoke. Fire season is in full swing. Another blaze ignited off the southbound lanes of Interstate 5, causing traffic to slow as fire crews confronted burning grass. Oregon Department of Forestry, Ashland Fire and Rescue and Jackson County Fire District No. 5 crews quickly surrounded the fire, which was contained at 2 acres. The grass fire, which was called into 911 at 12:45 p.m. Thursday, is one of several to ignite this week. According to Darrin Welburn, Jackson County Fire District No. 5 chief, an investigation into the freeway blaze continues. "We actually had a highway worker see the fire when it started and it started along the roadside," Welburn said. Fire officials searched around the area of origin where they found a number of cigarette butts. "It looked like someone may have discarded an ashtray," Welburn said, noting the official cause of the fire has not been determined. The fire scorched a portion of dry grass between the freeway - near milepost 15 - and Pierson Farm. ODF Fire Prevention Specialist Dennis Turco said the fire could have been worse. "If the winds would have been right, it certainly could have spotted across the freeway," Turco said, later adding, "We were fortunate we had the quick response. Again, it's a good example of the cooperation between the different departments." ODF officials responded to another fire Thursday on Wagner Gap Road near Arasta Creek, which is about 7 miles south of Talent and 5 miles southwest of Ashland. Fire crews were called to action at 2:50 p.m. as a truck carrying hay became engulfed in flames. The truck fire spread, burning 1/4 acre before firefighters had it contained, according to fire officials. The truck was destroyed along with approximately 80 bales of hay. The fires follow a Wednesday morning fire on Dead Indian Memorial Road where about 2 acres burned. Welburn said a nearby power pole may be the fire's origin. Residents near the fire reported a small surge of power that occurred moments before the fire started and investigators found a burnt dead squirrel beneath the power pole. No official cause has been determined. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -