An alarming wildfire that drew in firefighters from all over the Rogue Valley on Tuesday night was caused by unattended burn piles that spread to the wildlands, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry.
Rogue River Fire District initially responded to reports of a spreading grass fire in the 3700-block of Wards Creek Road, northeast of Rogue River, just before 5:30 p.m. that evening. The fire was initially estimated at three acres in size, but it was quickly spreading uphill into heavy brush and timber.
RRFD triggered a second and third alarm, calling in help from multiple local fire agencies. The steep terrain hindered bulldozers from helping to line the fire, leaving most of the work for fire crews, ODF said. Within three hours, crews were able to build a hose line around the entire perimeter, but winds caused the main fire to spot in the hills above.