Crews extinguish Sunday blaze

Published 11:22 am Tuesday, June 16, 2015

CANYON CITY – John Day Rural Fire Department crews responded to a fire Sunday afternoon in the Marysville area.

The blaze was first reported as a possible barn fire, but John Day Fire Chief Ron Smith said it turned out to be an abandoned trailer home. The structure caught fire after a small burn pile spread and became out of control.

Smith said he called for Mt. Vernon Rural Fire to provide mutual aid, but asked them to stand down once he arrived on scene.

He said the owners had planned to scrap the trailer, so there was no loss.

Smith wants to warn residents to use caution when burning.

“We’re coming into fire season, and people need to be really alert and conscious,” he said. “It’s that time of year when fuels are starting to dry out – to cure,” he said.

He expects the state will soon announce a regulated burn closure with no outside burning.