Downed power lines spark grass fire

By KATU.com Staff Published: Oct 3, 2012 at 4:03 PM PDT
Downed power lines spark grass fire
Firefighters put out the fire near Heron Lakes Golf Course after the wind blew a tree into some power lines. (Photo by Portland Fire and Rescue)

PORTLAND, Ore. – Firefighters said power lines pulled down by a tree sparked a grass fire near Heron Lakes Golf Course Wednesday morning.

Windy conditions knocked down the tree at around 9 a.m., firefighters said. They said the dry conditions and potentially high winds create a “tremendous potential for fires.”

“We have a red flag alert in the metro area,” said Portland Fire Battalion Chief Terry Munro. “The situation is complicated because of the power lines that are down.”

Portland General Electric crews arrived and cut the power lines. Once the power was out, firefighters moved in and extinguished the flames.

Firefighters said the fire was about 12,000 square feet.

The Portland Fire Marshal has issued a burn ban and only charcoal and propane barbecues are allowed in the city at this time.