A small fire Tuesday morning in The Dalles provided a reminder that it is fire season in the region.  Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue Division Chief Jay Wood says it was actually three small fires that occurred along Highway 197 on a small bank, with two of them merging into one.  He says passers-by stopped and had put out the fires by the time crews arrived.  Size of the fire was very small, about 50 feet long and 15 feet up the bank.  The cause of the fire could not be identified.  Wood added that people should check their safety chains on trailers to make sure they are not dragging and sending out sparks, and don’t throw cigarettes out of vehicles as that also could start a roadside fire.