Strong Arm Fire

Around 6 p.m. on July 28, ODF Southwest Oregon District and U.S. Forest Service firefighting crews responded to reports of smoke in the Applegate area.

Upon arrival, crews estimated the fire to be 10-11 acres in size with a moderate rate of growth. Command requested additional air craft and ground support in order to catch the fire before the 100-degree temperatures and mild winds helped it spread.

Two hours after the initial call, fire crews were able to knock down and contain the fire. A more accurate measurement was taken of the fire which showed the  final size to be 8.4 acres.
The fire burned in the wild land 7.5 miles northeast of Applegate Lake, and 13.5 miles southwest of Medford.
Crews stayed late into the night mopping up and monitoring for any signs of fire activity. 
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the U.S. Forest Service.

IFPL 2 Goes Into Effect July 29

Increased fire danger on forestlands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District has made it necessary to increase the fire prevention measures on industrial operations, such as logging sites and other commercial operations. Industrial Fire Precaution Level II (two) takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 29, and includes the following restrictions:

  • The use of fire in any form will be prohibited
  • The use of power saws will be prohibited, except at loading sites, between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
  • The use of cable yarders will be prohibited between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
  • Blasting will be prohibited between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
  • Welding or cutting of metal will be prohibited between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Additionally, commercial operators on forestlands are required to have fire suppression equipment on site and provide watchman service.

These regulations affect all state, county, private and Bureau of Land Management lands in Jackson and Josephine counties. The regulated use zones affected by this proclamation include SW-1, SW-2, SW-3, SW-4, SK-3, RR-1, RR-2 and RR-3, and all forestland within one-eighth of a mile of these zones.

The public regulated use fire danger level remains at “high” (yellow).

For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s fire season regulations, contact the unit office in your area:

  • Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point. Phone: (541) 664-3328
  • Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Drive, Grants Pass. Phone: (541) 474-3152

Students Learn Fire Effects

ODF Southwest Oregon District‘s Cohesive Wildfire Strategy Coordinator, John O’Connor, teamed up with Oregon State University – Southern Oregon Research & Extension Center, and Rogue River High School to provide students with a hands-on learning experience.
Students got the chance to visit the 155 acre 2014 Salt Creek Fire scar today near BLM’s Elderberry Flats Recreation Area. While at the site, they discussed the forest conditions at the time of the fire and how those conditions influenced the fire’s behavior.
In addition, the students challenged themselves by talking about today’s forest health and how it will impact the future of wildfires in southern Oregon.
The Rogue River High School students will continue to get out in the field and learn about natural resources from a variety of forestry and firefighting professionals.
You and your family can also take part in wildfire education by getting involved with “Citizen Fire Academy.” 
The Citizen Fire Academy (CFA) is a new program designed to educate the public on defensible space, wildfire safety, and Firewise communties.

Fire Danger Level Jumps to High Today

The fire danger level on Oregon Department of Forestry-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties is increasing to “high” (yellow) today, Tuesday, July 12.
The Industrial Fire Precaution Level will remain at level 1 (one).

The fire prevention regulations put into effect on June 30 remain in force.
See the Fire Season Regulations page for details. Or, call or visit the Southwest Oregon District’s unit offices:

  • Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point, (541) 664-3328.
  • Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr., Merlin, (541) 474-3152.

Fire Danger Drops to Moderate Today

Light rain overnight has prompted the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District to drop the fire danger level to “Moderate” (blue) today. The fire prevention regulations put into effect on June 30 remain in force. See the Fire Season Regulations page for details. Or, call or visit the Southwest Oregon District’s unit offices:

  • Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point, (541) 664-3328.
  • Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr., Merlin, (541) 474-3152.
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