Document text
Crews quell two grass fires Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell A Medford firefighter helps douse a small fire between Bear Creek and the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 in Medford. Curious and cautious drivers slowed traffic on the highway while the fire was extinguished. By JILL BRISKEY Medford firefighters battled two separate grass fires Tuesday which appeared to have been started by individuals. At 7:56 p.m., Medford Fire crews responded to a report of flames coming from a grassy field behind Court Street. Battalion Chief Dan Petersen said the fire originated under a tree behind a building, which includes Rodda Paint. Petersen said a transient reportedly camping under the tree may have ignited the fire. "We found a bed roll, matches and cigarettes," Petersen said. "The fire was man-made. It was probably an accidental fire but we don't know." Witnesses reported seeing a figure riding away on a bike when the fire was reported. Medford police searched for the bicyclist Tuesday night. The case is under investigation. The fire spread over a hill and down to the field. It burned approximately an acre and a half, Petersen said. Firefighters were stationed at McAndrews Road in case the flames spread. "We were lucky," Petersen said. "It ran down the hill and across the field pretty quick." The fire was under control in minutes, Petersen said, before any structures were threatened. No one was injured. Medford crews battled another grass fire at 2:30 p.m. on a bike path behind Jackson Street and McAndrews Road Tuesday. During the blaze, several trees caught fire, Petersen said, causing high, visible flames. Firefighters brought the blaze under control in 10 minutes, Petersen said. Crews were on scene until 5 p.m. making sure the fire did not spread. Investigators believed the grass fire also was started by a person. "We found where it originated. We don't know how it started, but it was caused by man," Petersen said. Smoke from that fire caused motorists driving in parts of Medford and along Interstate 5 to slow to a crawl. The fire did not stop the flow of traffic, Petersen said. No structures were threatened. At 3 p.m., while firefighters were still stomping out flames behind McAndrews and Jackson streets, two additional fires were reported along South Stage Road, Petersen said. Medford crews discovered one resident burning trash illegally. The other blaze was a controlled burn, Petersen said. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.