Shop fire sparks grass fire west of Madras

Jefferson County fire crews worked in 100-degree heat Thursday evening to douse a detached shop fire west of Madras that sparked a grass fire that burned nearly an acre, officials said.

Jefferson County Fire District No. 1 crews responded shortly before 7:30 p.m. to the structure fire in a detached pole-constructed shop at 47 NW Elk Drive, Capt. Kasey Skaar said.

The homeowner reported the fire, located on the far west side of the district, about eight miles from Madras, in the wildland-urban interface setting, Skaar said.

The shop and its contents were a total loss, but the first engine crew to arrive protected nearby exposures while a second-arriving wildland unit was able to contain the grass fire to less than an acre, Skaar said.

The next engine arrived soon after and helped with the fire attack, salvage and overhaul.

The cause of the fire was under investigation. Skaar said crews were on scene for 3 1/2 hours in 100-degree heat, making sure the was out.