At 11:38 p.m. last night, a grass fire was reported in Lithia Park between the playground and the bandshell. Ashland Fire & Rescue responded with two structural engines and two brush engines under the command of Battalion Chief Lance Menold. Oregon Department of Forestry firefighters also assisted Ashland. The fire burned approximately one-half acre of grass and brush between Ashland Creek and Pioneer Road above. Crews from Jackson County Fire District 5 were called to assist but weren’t needed once the fire was knocked down. One Ashland Parks building was directly threatened along with homes above.
The fire was human-caused due to a cooking fire in the brush and dry grass. The person who caused the fire fled the scene. Ashland Police Department recovered personnel property at origin of the fire and are attempting to locate the individual.
An Ashland Fire & Rescue crew stayed on the fire overnight to extinguish hot spots. Crews will check the fire during the day to confirm it is out. Ashland’s Battalion Chief, Fire Chief, and Deputy Chief determined on scene that due to the mild nature of the fire, a Nixle evacuation notification wasn’t necessary.
Police line surrounds the origin of a wildfire in Lithia Park