A combine harvesting crimson clover sparked a three-alarm fire on Friday that burned seven acres near Dilley before 42 firefighters brought it under control.

The blaze erupted on Southwest Spring Hill Road near Southwest Fern Hill Road in rural western Washington County. No injuries or structural damage were reported, according to the Hillsboro News Times.

Forest Grove Fire & Rescue was dispatched on July 10 around 2:55 p.m., after the combine ignited the cut clover field. Responding crews spotted a large column of smoke and upgraded the call to a brush fire before arriving on scene. When firefighters reached the field, they found two fires burning about an acre and spreading away from the machine.

The situation escalated fast.

Increasing winds pushed flames through the field, and crews called a second alarm at 3:08 p.m. Firefighters attacked the fire's edges with four-wheel-drive brush rigs and stopped its westward spread, but strong gusts kept driving the blaze east and south toward a shop building and heavy vegetation.

A third alarm went out around 3:30 p.m.

Firefighters declared the fire under control just before 4 p.m. Crews remained on scene afterward to extinguish hot spots and watch for flare-ups.

Eight agencies responded: Forest Grove Fire & Rescue, Gaston Fire District, Cornelius Fire Department, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, Banks Fire District, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Yamhill Fire District, and AMR. The Washington County Sheriff's Office also assisted at the scene.

What it means for Bethany-area residents

TVF&R, which provides fire and emergency services to Bethany, Cedar Mill, Oak Hills, and West Haven-Sylvan, was among the mutual-aid agencies drawn to the incident. The fire occurred during an active burn ban across Washington County that took effect June 10, according to The Oregonian. TVF&R confirms the ban remains in place.

Gov. Tina Kotek declared a statewide wildfire emergency on June 16, citing drought, low snowpack, and dangerous fire conditions.

Forest Grove Fire & Rescue said residents in rural areas should be prepared to evacuate during fire season, as fires can start and spread quickly in current conditions.

Residents who spot smoke or fire should call 911. Burn ban details are available at tvfr.com.