Tractor Fire Spreads To Field (Photo)
- 09/16/25
At 2:26pm on Tuesday September 16th, Forest Grove Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a field fire on NW Gales Creek Road, west of the intersection to Mystic Drive. Reports were that a field was on fire with possibly a tractor on fire as well. While responding, a chief officer upgraded the incident to a full response due to dry east winds that were impacting the region. When crews arrived, they found a tractor fully engulfed and over an acre of a cut wheat field actively threatening to cross Gales Creek Road towards nearby houses. The incident was upgraded to a 2nd Alarm Response to bring in additional resources as the fire continued to spread through the field. It took firefighters 20 minutes to stop the forward progress of the fire. Firefighters spent another 45 minutes extinguishing hot spots. To increase the perimeter containment on the burned area, a neighboring farmer brought in a equipment to create a dirt containment line around the perimeter.
A row of power lines had flames burn up to them, as a precaution we had Portland General Electric inspect the lines and found no damage. It is estimated the fire burned 7 acres of the field. Investigators spoke with the operator of the tractor who was using a flail mower implement behind the tractor to cut down the wheat stubble. While operating, they had alarms going off and found a fire in the back of the tractor near where the mower connects. They safely got out of the tractor and away from the flames, which quickly spread to the field. It is unknown at this time if the equipment had a malfunction or if a spark was created by the spinning mower. The tractor is a total lose.
During the incident, Gales Creek Road (Oregon Highway 8) was closed for the safety of firefighters.
Forest Grove Fire & Rescue was assisted on scene by Cornelius Fire Department, Banks Fire District, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, AMR, Washington County Sheriffs Office and Portland General Electric. We also thank the neighboring farmers for the use of their equipment.
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Tractor Fire Spreads To Field (Photo)
- 09/16/25
At 2:26pm on Tuesday September 16th, Forest Grove Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a field fire on NW Gales Creek Road, west of the intersection to Mystic Drive. Reports were that a field was on fire with possibly a tractor on fire as well. While responding, a chief officer upgraded the incident to a full response due to dry east winds that were impacting the region. When crews arrived, they found a tractor fully engulfed and over an acre of a cut wheat field actively threatening to cross Gales Creek Road towards nearby houses. The incident was upgraded to a 2nd Alarm Response to bring in additional resources as the fire continued to spread through the field. It took firefighters 20 minutes to stop the forward progress of the fire. Firefighters spent another 45 minutes extinguishing hot spots. To increase the perimeter containment on the burned area, a neighboring farmer brought in a equipment to create a dirt containment line around the perimeter.
A row of power lines had flames burn up to them, as a precaution we had Portland General Electric inspect the lines and found no damage. It is estimated the fire burned 7 acres of the field. Investigators spoke with the operator of the tractor who was using a flail mower implement behind the tractor to cut down the wheat stubble. While operating, they had alarms going off and found a fire in the back of the tractor near where the mower connects. They safely got out of the tractor and away from the flames, which quickly spread to the field. It is unknown at this time if the equipment had a malfunction or if a spark was created by the spinning mower. The tractor is a total lose.
During the incident, Gales Creek Road (Oregon Highway 8) was closed for the safety of firefighters.
Forest Grove Fire & Rescue was assisted on scene by Cornelius Fire Department, Banks Fire District, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, AMR, Washington County Sheriffs Office and Portland General Electric. We also thank the neighboring farmers for the use of their equipment.
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Overnight Fire Damages House (Photo)
- 09/03/25
At 2:15am on Wednesday September 3rd, Forest Grove Firefighters were dispatched to a reported house fire on NW Clapshaw Hill Road in rural Washington County. The resident reported that the exterior of the house was on fire. When fire crews arrived, they found the fire had engulfed the back of the house spreading to the inside of the house as well as a nearby tree. Crews simultaneously extinguished the exterior fire as well as the fire that had spread into the house. It took firefighters approximately 15 to extinguish the fire and another hour to put out hidden hot spots in the walls and attic.
The fire was discovered by the resident after their dog woke them up to the noise of the fire. They were able to safety exit the house with the dog. No injuries were reported on scene. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Forest Grove Fire & Rescue wants to remind everyone to know two ways out of your home. If you have children, have a home fire escape plan with them. For further information on escape plans, visit https://www.oregon.gov/osfm/education/pages/home-fire-escape-planning.aspx
FGF&R was assisted on scene by Banks Fire District, Cornelius Fire Department, AMR and Washington County Sheriffs Office.
Overnight Fire Damages House (Photo)
- 09/03/25
At 2:15am on Wednesday September 3rd, Forest Grove Firefighters were dispatched to a reported house fire on NW Clapshaw Hill Road in rural Washington County. The resident reported that the exterior of the house was on fire. When fire crews arrived, they found the fire had engulfed the back of the house spreading to the inside of the house as well as a nearby tree. Crews simultaneously extinguished the exterior fire as well as the fire that had spread into the house. It took firefighters approximately 15 to extinguish the fire and another hour to put out hidden hot spots in the walls and attic.
The fire was discovered by the resident after their dog woke them up to the noise of the fire. They were able to safety exit the house with the dog. No injuries were reported on scene. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Forest Grove Fire & Rescue wants to remind everyone to know two ways out of your home. If you have children, have a home fire escape plan with them. For further information on escape plans, visit https://www.oregon.gov/osfm/education/pages/home-fire-escape-planning.aspx
FGF&R was assisted on scene by Banks Fire District, Cornelius Fire Department, AMR and Washington County Sheriffs Office.
Firefighter Extinguish Difficult Brush Fire (Photo)
- 08/24/25
At 2:10am on Sunday August 24th, Forest Grove Firefighters were dispatched to a reported brush fire in the 49000 block of NW Strohmayer Road in rural Washington County. A passerby discovered the fire and called 911 while also alerting the residents in a house directly in the path of the flames. Firefighters arrived minutes later to find a brush fire burning behind a house along a very steep embankment. Their first task was to protect the structure and make sure the residents evacuated. Firefighters were able to prevent the flames from spreading to the house and other buildings on the property. Other crews began to ascend the approximately 70 degree vertical slopes to begin extinguishing the flames as well as constructing containment lines.
It took firefighters over two hours to deem the fire under control. This extended timeline was due to safety precautions taken with firefighters working in low light conditions in extremely steep terrain as well as working near damaged trees that had potential to fall on crews. Firefighters remained for several more hours extinguishing hotspots and strengthening the containment line.
In total, the fire burned approximately one and a half acres of medium to heavy vegetation. There were no reported injuries. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Due to high temperatures forecasted for today, a fire crew is remaining on scene throughout the day to monitor the scene for hot spots.
Forest Grove Fire & Rescue was assisted on scene by Banks Fire District, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Cornelius Fire Department, Oregon Department of Forestry and Washington County Sheriffs Office.
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Firefighter Extinguish Difficult Brush Fire (Photo)
- 08/24/25
At 2:10am on Sunday August 24th, Forest Grove Firefighters were dispatched to a reported brush fire in the 49000 block of NW Strohmayer Road in rural Washington County. A passerby discovered the fire and called 911 while also alerting the residents in a house directly in the path of the flames. Firefighters arrived minutes later to find a brush fire burning behind a house along a very steep embankment. Their first task was to protect the structure and make sure the residents evacuated. Firefighters were able to prevent the flames from spreading to the house and other buildings on the property. Other crews began to ascend the approximately 70 degree vertical slopes to begin extinguishing the flames as well as constructing containment lines.
It took firefighters over two hours to deem the fire under control. This extended timeline was due to safety precautions taken with firefighters working in low light conditions in extremely steep terrain as well as working near damaged trees that had potential to fall on crews. Firefighters remained for several more hours extinguishing hotspots and strengthening the containment line.
In total, the fire burned approximately one and a half acres of medium to heavy vegetation. There were no reported injuries. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Due to high temperatures forecasted for today, a fire crew is remaining on scene throughout the day to monitor the scene for hot spots.
Forest Grove Fire & Rescue was assisted on scene by Banks Fire District, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Cornelius Fire Department, Oregon Department of Forestry and Washington County Sheriffs Office.
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