Cleveland Ridge Fire Evening Update — August 22, 2016
Tonight several firefighters will continue working on the roughly 200-acre Cleveland Ridge Fire.
The fire that started near Trail is 30 percent lined.
The fire is burning on grass, brush, and timber on Bureau of Land Management and private land owner property all protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District.
Approximately 40 structures are threatened by the fire. However, there are no evacuations in place moving forward tonight. We will reevaluate fire activity and the need for evacuation notices in the morning. No structures have been lost.
Along with ODF crews from Medford and Grants Pass, the Rogue Valley Strike Team was activated. The strike team consists of structural protection units from Jackson County Fire District 4, Jackson County Fire District 5, Jackson County Fire District 3, Medford Fire-Rescue, Ashland Fire, and Jacksonville Fire. Ten-man and Twenty-man crews are also on scene.
Firefighters on the ground are facing steep terrain. While tomorrow’s temperatures are more favorable, there is still the chance of evening variable winds.
Air attack was an integral part of today’s firefight. Four Type 2, one Type 3, one heavy air tanker, and two SEATs created a retardant line along the right flank and upper portion of the left flank of the fire.
By the morning, inmate crews and additional private contractors will be assisting with the fire.
Since the priority tonight was fire suppression, the fire investigation will continue tomorrow.