MILTON-FREEWATER — A sharp eye, a quick response and lots of water from many firefighters was the recipe to prevent a haystack fire from getting out of control Saturday, June 19, near Milton-Freewater.

According to the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, a Neighborhood Watch member spotted the fire just after 8 a.m. June 19 on Ernest Lane, west of Milton-Freewater.

Milton-Freewater Rural Fire Department responded first, but multiple surrounding agencies dumped water on the flames, firefighters reported.

“Big shout out to all surrounding fire agencies that pitched in to help out,” firefighters posted on social media June 20. “We needed all the water you could bring us. No one was hurt, and the fire did not spread. Good job to all.”

The quick report to authorities aied the response, and the post encouraged all to stay vigilant this season.

“We have a lot of summer left,” firefighters wrote in the post. “If you see a fire, report it!”

The cause of the fire was not known. Umatilla County has a burn ban in place, including all agricultural burning.