Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan is removing the Level 1 evacuation status for the area near Rice Road. Evacuation levels were put in place after a field fire broke out endangering nearby homes.
Yesterday, at 4:11 p.m., Linn County Sheriff’s Office received calls on 911 reporting a field fire on Rice Road near Upper Calapooia Drive, south of Sweet Home. Deputies responded and started evacuating nearby homes while the Sweet Home Fire District personnel diligently fought the fire. As deputies were conducting evacuations, Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management personnel were preparing to put a larger area into a Level 3 “Go now!” evacuation status. However, fire personnel were able to quickly get a handle on the fire, making the Level 3 Evacuation unnecessary, and it was released as a precautionary Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuation status.
Fire personnel continued to attack the fire through the night and as of this morning they were mopping up the fire.
Linn County Detectives responded and investigated the cause of the fire with the assistance of the State Fire Marshal. The investigation showed the fire was started by a resident who was operating a pickup in a field of tall grass. The fire burned about 25 acres, damaged a pumphouse, and destroyed an RV parked in the field. There were no injuries.
When the investigation is completed, it will be sent to the District Attorney’s Office for review of criminal charges.
We want to thank all the fire personnel for quickly controlling the fire, and the Sweet Home Police Department for assisting with initial evacuations when the fire broke out.