Document text
90 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, June 17, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend June 15, 2004 Fire District 3 firefighters douse a burning truck and its load of hay Monday in northeast Medford. The wind-driven late afternoon blaze likely was ignited when a hay bale came into contact with the truck�s tailpipe. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Fast action saves home from fire By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune A retired firefighter’s quick response saved a house on his property from going up in flames Monday evening, but he couldn’t save his Ford. When the blaze broke out, 55-year-old Skeeter Jackson saw a stiff wind pushing flames across a hayfield toward his grandmother’s old house on Coker Butte and Foothill roads. A neighbor — also a retired firefighter — ran from his house up the hill to help. Several more Medford firefighters who were driving by on their way home stopped to lend a hand. With shovels, sprinklers and garden hoses, they stopped the fire at a fence line just feet from the house. No one had lived in the home for some time, Jackson said. But Jackson’s 1989 Ford pickup was consumed in the 5:30 p.m. blaze after hay likely touched the exhaust pipe and ignited. Several young men were using the truck to haul hay for Jackson when the fire broke out. "Lost a pickup in the deal," Jackson said. Advertisement Flames also gobbled up most of a three-acre field of hay and dozens of bales that smoldered like marshmallows dropped in a campfire. Jackson said he felt fortunate that the fire happened this year when he had fewer cows to feed. Most of the season’s hay was produced in other fields and already baled, he said. Strong wind played a large role in spreading the fire, which threatened two other houses on the property, officials said. "I’m amazed that this took off and went like it did," said Bob Batte, acting fire engineer for Jackson County Fire District No. 3. Crews put out the fire about an hour after arriving but stayed on to put out hot spots, Batte said. Seventeen firefighters with District No. 3 and Oregon Department of Forestry responded with six wildland fire trucks, one engine and a water-hauling truck. No one was injured. Fire danger remained moderate Monday, according to ODF reports. But temperatures were expected to rise into the 90s by Wednesday and stay there through the end of the week, according to the National Weather Center Medford Forecast Office. Winds approximately 10 to 15 mph also were in the forecast. "The wind has taken and dried out the brush and grass a lot more than what people think," Batte said. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times