DFPA NEWS RELEASE: LIGHTNING RESPONSE

Single lightning struck tree - 1610 Fire (09/01/26)

Tiller, Ore: During the evening of Tuesday, September 1, 2026, several lightning strikes were reported in the Tiller, Oregon, area. At approximately 9:47 p.m., crews from the Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA), Tiller Rural Fire Protection District, Days Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Milo Rural Volunteer Fire Department, Canyonville-South Umpqua Fire District, and Riddle Fire Protection District began lightning reconnaissance and response efforts.

Crews located two lightning-caused fires in the area near Tiller Trail Highway and worked overnight to secure the incidents. An additional lightning-caused fire was located during the morning of September 2, 2026.

1610 Fire

Crews located a single lightning-struck tree with an estimated 0.01-acre fire spread into nearby vegetation. DFPA crews trailed the fire throughout the night and transferred command of the incident to the Umpqua National Forest, Tiller Ranger District, on the morning of September 2, 2026.

Joe Hall Fire

Crews located two lightning-struck trees with an estimated 0.01-acre fire spread into nearby vegetation. The fire was trailed and mopped up by responding crews before being transferred to the Umpqua National Forest, Tiller Ranger District, on the morning of September 2, 2026.

Elk Creek Fire

During the morning of September 2, 2026, crews from DFPA and Cow Creek Tribal Fire Management located a single lightning-struck tree with an estimated 0.1-acre fire spread into nearby vegetation. Crews initiated an aggressive initial attack, knocked down the forward spread, and have currently lined 50 percent of the fire. Crews will continue working the fire until mop-up is complete.

DFPA reminds the public that lightning can produce holdover fires that may not become visible immediately following a storm. The public is encouraged to remain alert for smoke or fire in areas that recently experienced lightning and to report any signs of wildfire promptly. Lightning reconnaissance in the area will continue for several more days. No homes or structures were threatened by these fires.

Naming clarification: The two fires transferred to the Umpqua National Forest, Tiller Ranger District, may be assigned different names or identifiers under the Forest Service’s incident naming convention. The names used in this release reflect DFPA’s records at the time of the initial response