Firefighters issue warning following two brush fires in one day - KPTV - FOX 12
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Firefighters issued a warning about the potential risk for more fires after they battled two brush fires on Wednesday.
The first fire burned about four acres of a wheat field near the intersection of Germantown Road and Kaiser Road Wednesday morning.
A spark generated by a road grader scraping Germantown Road near the field is believed to be the cause, according to investigators.
"I could see the smoke and I could hear the fire," said Etta Barner, who lives right across the street from the wheat field. "It went very quickly and very high."
Barner said her family owns the wheat field and the fire destroyed as much as $40,000 worth of wheat that was ready to be harvested.
It took firefighters from Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue about 30 minutes to get the fire under control. They were able to keep it from spreading to nearby homes.
"We benefited today by a cloud cover and low winds. Had this occurred later in the month, after another week of hot temperatures, it would have been a different story," said the incident commander who responded to the fire.
Portland firefighters were also busy working to put out another brush fire along the 100 block of Northeast Marine Drive Wednesday afternoon.
Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue is urging everyone to use extra caution in periods of high temperature, when vegetation and structures can easily dry out.
Firefighters have the following tips to stay safe:
-Dispose of smoking materials in an ashtray, not the roadway.
-Supervise your backyard barbecues and fire pits, and have a hose nearby in case of fire.
-If allowed to conduct opening burning operations, supervise burn piles, have a hose nearby and ensure burn piles are extinguished by nightfall.
-Keep lighters and matches out of reach of children and instruct them that these are tools for adults only.
For more safety tips, visit TVF&R's website at www.tvfr.com.
Copyright 2012 KPTV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
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