WHITE CITY, Ore. (Aug. 5, 2026) — A juvenile was taken into custody Tuesday evening after allegedly admitting to intentionally starting a grass fire along Highway 62 in White City, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded at approximately 7:22 p.m. to a reported grass fire in the 8000 block of Highway 62 after motorists traveling through the area noticed flames and called 911. Witnesses told dispatchers they observed an individual standing near the field watching the fire as it grew.
When deputies arrived, they found a burned area measuring approximately 40 by 40 feet. A juvenile male was located standing near the scene and was contacted by law enforcement.
According to the sheriff’s office, the juvenile admitted to starting the fire during the initial investigation. Deputies also recovered matches from his possession and received information indicating the youth may have been involved in a similar brush fire the previous day.
The juvenile was taken into custody without incident. Because he is a minor, authorities did not release his identity.
Firefighters from Jackson County Fire District 3 and the Oregon Department of Forestry responded quickly and extinguished the blaze before it could spread beyond the initial burn area. Officials said the prompt response prevented the fire from threatening nearby commercial buildings and surrounding residential neighborhoods.
The investigation remains ongoing. The case will be referred to the Jackson County Juvenile Department, where authorities said the juvenile is expected to face criminal charges, including arson.
The sheriff’s office credited observant motorists for quickly reporting the fire, allowing emergency responders to contain the blaze before it could escalate during the region’s heightened wildfire conditions.
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