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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... Grass fire torches area near Rogue Valley Mall Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted May. 11, 2015 at 1:28 PM Updated May 12, 2015 at 6:47 AM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted May. 11, 2015 at 1:28 PM Updated May 12, 2015 at 6:47 AM » Social News Fire torched about 1/10th of an acre of brush and blackberries off a section of the Bear Creek Greenway near the Rogue Valley Mall this afternoon. The fire burned on a steep section of hillside between the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 and the Greenway near the McAndrews Road bridge. Oregon State Police and the Oregon Department of Transportation closed about one-quarter-mile of I-5's southbound slow lane so responding firefighters could park their vehicles and access the blaze. The 90-minute lane closure caused traffic to slow to a crawl. Medford Fire-Rescue battalion chief Erin Sawall said calls about the fire started coming in just before 1 p.m., with reports of thick smoke coming off the brush patch. "Berries burn with lots of smoke," Sawall said. "It didn't get too big. Just grass and brush." Some of the scorch marks made it right up to the chain link fence barrier between the Greenway and the hillside. Medford crews responded with seven firefighters, one engine, one brush rig and a water tender. Crews had the flames under control in a matter of minutes, but stayed on the debris-laden scene for more than an hour, smothering the terrain with foam and water to make sure none of the brush reignited. Firefighters also chopped down several small scorched trees to further reduce the chance of spreading. "We had it under control quite rapidly," Sawall said. The fire's cause is not yet known, officials said. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted May. 11, 2015 at 1:28 PM Updated May 12, 2015 at 6:47 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501