A GRASS FIRE NEAR ASHLAND, OREGON, RACED INTO A neighborhood and destroyed 11 homes before the fire departments could contain it Tuesday afternoon. Stiff winds at the time sped the flames and challenged the first-arriving units.
KDRV-TV
The Ashland Fire Department was already on the scene of a brush fire along the west side if I-5 freeway that had involved a large barn when they saw the flames on the other side of the highway and called in the alarm just before 5 pm. The fire was rapidly upgraded to 4 alarms and it took 70 firefighters with 20 engines until 8:30 to contain it. They were assisted by two helicopters plus Forestry Department units.
”I looked out, and the sky was just burning,” Cindy Walker told reporters. “Right across the street it was on fire. Immediately a second house ignited, and then a third while I was on a line to dispatch. Then I hung up and started to water my yard and neighbors’ houses, ’til the Fire Department showed up.
“It was just inferno — black smoke, RV, things blowing up, gas tanks, tires,” she said. “Propane tanks, I don’t know. It sounded like bombs going off. Like tornados of black smoke coming out of garages and backyards.”
KDRV-TV
KDRV-TV has a 14-image photo gallery HERE.
KATU-TV Ch. 2 filed this video report:
Some additional brief video from the fire scene:
The Ashland Daily Times has a recent report along with a map showing the locations of the two fires HERE.
The Associated Press has MORE.
The Mail Tribune also has a GOOD REPORT.
KDRV-TV
Ashland Fire Department WEBSITE.
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