The fireworks display put on by the Creswell Chamber tonight sparked a fire on the Bald Knob property, near where the fireworks were set off. BRAD COOK/For The Chronicle
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CRESWELL – Amidst a cacophony of official and unofficial fireworks displays around Creswell on Sunday, July 4, a fire broke out near the old Bald Knob Mill property, which played host to the newly revived Creswell Chamber of Commerce’s fireworks show.
Deputies from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded to the fire, along with officials from the South Lane Fire District. SLFD received a report at 10:01 regarding a brush fire near Sears Rd. and E. Cloverdale Rd. At 10:10, it received a report of a brush fire at S. Mill St. and E. Park Dr.
At 12:30 a.m. Monday, the fire continues to burn about one and a half acres of land.
Bobby Langley, chamber president, said the fire broke out because of a floating ember that landed in blackberry bushes adjacent to where the fireworks display was being put on. SLFD had given the Chamber approval to go forward with the fireworks show; multiple other cities and counties had banned the practice during this heightened wildfire season and drought conditions.
BRAD COOK/For The Chronicle
ERIN TIERNEY/The Chronicle
A representative with the Western Display Fireworks, who contracted with the Chamber for the display, said they only made it halfway through the display before the fire broke out. They will need to organize hazard transportation to remove the remaining fireworks from the site.
The launching site for the Creswell Chamber of Commerce, while the fire burns on the adjacent site. ERIN TIERNEY/The Chronicle
SLCFR Division Chief Aaron Smith, commenting just before midnight Sunday night, said the fire had been contained, although firefighters continued to work well into the night putting out burning embers.
Smith said the fire covered 1 1/4 acres, but did not affect traffic on I-5, even though the fire could be seen clearly from the interstate. Fortunately, he said there was very little wind, and that kept the fire from spreading.
Smith said there was also a smaller fire earlier in the evening near Cloverdale Road and Sears Road. He said it was also contained.
Joe Raade, spokesperson for the SLFD, said he’s been working on fire issues in The Dalles for the past week, and “I haven’t talked to anyone in Creswell,” he said overnight Sunday.
Stay tuned for updated news.