Crews stop fire threatening homes N. of Madras

Crews from several agencies tackled and contained a grass fire that threatened several homes north of Madras Wednesday afternoon.

Jefferson County Fire District No. 1 officials said the call came in around 1:30 p.m. of the fire off Meadowlark Lane, between highways 26 and 97,, officials said.

The fire spread south through junipers, sagebrush and dried grass as the county called in mutual-aid crews from Warm Springs Fire and Safety, Crooked River Ranch, Crook County Rural Fire District and the BLM. Sheriff’s deputies also responded to assist with traffic control and other needs.

The fire was stopped at Miller Lane, having burned about seven acres before it was contained and lined, according to the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center.

With mop-up under way, the cause of the fire was under investigation, although there were reports it might have started from a burn barrel.

We’ll have more details as available and on NewsChannel 21 at Five and Six.