Multiple brush fires around Newberg contained

Two more brush fires ignite near first call
Three simultaneous brush fires that started around the Newberg area on Sunday afternoon have been contained, according to Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue.
Published: Aug. 13, 2023 at 2:56 PM PDT

YAMHILL COUNTY, Ore. (KPTV) - Three simultaneous brush fires that started around the Newberg area on Sunday afternoon have been contained, according to Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue.

The largest fire happened just off Highway 99 and Corral Creek Road. The brush fire charred the ground, but crews were able to keep the fire from spreading to a winery just across the road.

Shortly after, TVF&R said some crews were redirected to another brush fire in the 3200 block of Parrett Mountain Road.

Matt Mariani, battalion chief with TVF&R, said the heat wave has put fire and rescue crews on high alert.

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“The wind and the high heat,” Mariani said. “The red flag warning is one of the huge factors contributing to how rapidly these fires spread.”

Mariani said crews responded to three separate brush fires in the Newberg area.

“We had a response for a brush fire on Highway 99 at Corral Creek Road across from Rex Hill Winery,” Mariani said. “We had two other brush box alarms come in in the same area, one on Parrett Mountain and one also in Newberg.”

There were 30-foot flames burning near Highway 99, he said.

“Had to shut down both directions of Highway 99 coming in and out of Newberg,” Mariani said. “It��s a large highway. That’s due the smoke and the fire that was right up on the road.”

TVF&R crews worked quickly with the help of neighboring agencies.

“They did an amazing job of stopping this fire before it spread into the orchards,” Mariani said. “Kept to under two to three acres.”

The battalion chief said there were extra precautions in place to ensure fire crews were also safe during this heat wave.

“We have a high probability for heat exhaustion. Not only do we have to work hard and fast to put the fire out, but we also have to be concerned with rotating crews,” Mariani said.

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Mariani said they have additional resources to patrol for these next several days.

“We staffed extra brush rigs,” Mariani said. “Notify all the crews that are working that they are going to have extra crews available for their resources.”

TVF&R said the cause of the fires are still under investigation. Mariani said a power pole in the area was also on fire Sunday afternoon, so PGE had to cut power temporarily.