Flue fire damages Crooked River Ranch log home

A heavy-timber log home on Crooked River Ranch was damaged by a flue fire that spread from the chimney into the attic and home Saturday evening, officials said.

Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue crews were called just before 6 p.m. to the home in the 16700 block of Southwest Dove Road, Assistant Chief Sean Hartley said. They arrived to find flames coming from the chhimey that extended into the attic space and inside the home, he said.

The first crew began work to extinguish the fire as more units arrived. Hartley said it took about an hour to bring under control, but crews remained on scene well into the evening, conducting overhaul and salvage operations.

Jefferson County sheriff’s Deputy Justin Silence was in the area and first on scene, reporting fire coming from the chimney and roof and also confirming everyone was out of the home. No injuries were reported, Hartley said, and the homeowners also were able to get all of their pets safely out of the home.

Two more water tenders were requested, due to the home’s size and no fire hydrants in the area, but were canceled as crews brought the fire under control, the assistant chief said. The homeowners made arrangements to stay with friends, Hartley added.

“The house sustained damage but was not destroyed,” Hartley said Sunday, adding that damage estimates were still being compiled.

Mutual-aid assistance was provided by Redmond Fire and Rescue, the Cloverdale and Sisters-Camp Sherman rural fire districts and Jefferson County Fire District No. 1., as well as the sheriff’s office.

“CRRF&R recommends that chimneys be professionally cleaned and inspected at least annually to reduce the risk of a fire,” Hartley wrote in a news release.