Brush Fire East of Jefferson Doubles in Size

The fire's actual location is on an island known as Wiseman Island or Miller Island, is not accessible by vehicle.

Photos courtesy: Elaine Parrott/Jefferson Fire

(WISEMAN/MILLER ISLAND, Ore.) - A brush fire burning on Wiseman/Miller Island on the North Santiam River east of Jefferson and south of the community of Marion was described as "very active today" by the region's Fire District Spokesperson, Elaine Parrott.

It is estimated that approximately 100 acres have burned since the fire started on Saturday evening.

Fire district personnel from Jefferson and Stayton were able to get an aerial view of the fire today, she said.

"The fire is causing smoke in the Jefferson/Marion area, but at the present time the fire does not appear to be threatening any private property." Parrott issued that statement just after 6:00 PM this evening.

She says in spite of that, the public is encouraged to call 9-1-1 in the event conditions change.

A large portion of the property belongs to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Steven Marx, the Department's South Willamette Water Shed District Manager, said, "The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife continues to work with personnel of the Jefferson Fire District to ensure the fire does not place private property at risk".

The fire is being monitored by fire district personnel. "The plan is allow the fire to burn itself out", says Don Bemrose, Fire Chief of the Jefferson Fire District. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. No injuries have been reported and there is no value to the vegetation that is burning. The fire's actual location is on an island known as Wiseman Island or Miller Island, is not accessible by vehicle. The island is a menagerie of sloughs, creek beds, and isolated pockets of land surrounded by the channels of the North Santiam River and is approximately 1.3 miles long and nearly 300 acres. According to Assistant Chief Scott Shepherd, "Approximately 50 acres of underbrush, scotch broom, and blackberry bushes have burned since it was reported. Firefighters have not attempted to extinguish the fire due to the lack of access of getting equipment to the area of the fire."

The public may continue to see smoke in the area while the fire is still burning. A portion of the land is owned by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The fire is still under investigation.

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