The first report of the Redwood Highway Fire in Selma came in at 3:34 p.m. Friday afternoon. At the time it was estimated at 1/10th of an acre in size with a consistent rate of growth burning in tall grass and dry brush on the west side of Redwood Highway. Within twenty minutes, the fire jumped the road and continued growing on the east side of Redwood Highway and up Deer Creek Road. The fire is now estimated to have grown to be between 50 to 75 acres with 85 percent dozer lined. We are working on an exact percentage of containment. The fire is under investigation.
Firefighters are currently working on holding the fire lines. Tree torching and spotting were initial issues firefighters on the ground were facing. Three Type 2 helicopters, a heavy helicopter, two air tankers, and one fixed-wing plane have been flying over the fire helping with cooling and suppression.
Residents on the 975 block and above on Deer Creek Road are at a Level 2 Evacuation. Homes on the 974 block and below on Deer Creek Road remain at a Level 3 Evacuation notice, along with all residents on Davis Creek Road. Four outbuildings and two homes were destroyed in the fire. The families of the two homes lost at 261 and 435 Deer Creek Road have been contacted. The American Red Cross is reaching out to help all families displaced by the Redwood Highway Fire at this time. All people originally evacuated to Boy Scout Camp near Lake Selmac are now being directed to the American Red Cross’ location at the United Methodist Church at 200 W. Watkins Street in Cave Junction. We are also setting up a community information center at the Red Cross shelter.
Deer Creek Road and Davis Road will remain closed at this time. Redwood Highway is back open.
Currently, crews from the Oregon Department of Forestry, Illinois Valley Fire District, Rural Metro Fire, Jackson County Fire District 5, Jackson County Fire District 3, Medford Fire-Rescue, Ashland Fire-Rescue, Applegate Valley Fire District, Oregon State Police, Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and Search & Rescue, Jackson County Emergency Management, Oregon Department of Transportation, Josephine County Public Works, American Medical Response, American Red Cross are all working together on different aspects of the fire response.
As always, we would like to remind the public that Fire Restrictions are in place on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in Jackson and Josephine Counties. For more on current fire regulations visit www.swofire.com.
Fire Information: (541)613-6313