The Eagle/Richard HannersA wildland fire truck stationed at the Oregon Department of Forestry offices in John Day.

A fire of unknown origin outside of Long Creek grew to about 20 acres before Oregon Department of Forestry crews had it contained early Friday morning.

ODF crews first responded about 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 19, John Day Unit Manager Ryan Miller told the Eagle. The fire was burning grass, juniper and sagebrush on private ranch land about three miles southwest of Long Creek and was visible from a private airport in the Long Creek area.

ODF initially responded with four engines before calling in a fifth, for a total of 10 firefighters, Miller said. The Long Creek Fire Department also responded with an engine, he said.

The fire was mostly knocked down within a couple hours, but it was officially contained the next morning, Miller said. ODF crews were mopping up the site Friday. No structures were damaged and there were no injuries.

Miller said they were fortunate the fire occurred in the evening when there were cooler temperatures and more humidity. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but it was definitely not caused by lightning, he said.