Cleveland Ridge Fire Grows to 574 Acres

A force of more than 200 firefighters worked throughout the day to relocate fire lines on the northeast and southeast flanks of the Cleveland Ridge Fire, burning on private and Bureau of Land Management forestlands north/northwest of Shady Cove. The fire grew along these flanks today but a wide bulldozer-constructed fire line along the spine of Cleveland Ridge held as the fire reached the ridgetop.

The fire has reached 574 acres in size and fire line has been completed around 80 percent of the fire.

The night shift crews, comprised of approximately 150 firefighters, will work to complete the fire line on the north flank and hold established fire lines around the rest of the perimeter.

Residents on Taylor Rd. and the West Fork of Trail Creek Rd. remain under a Level 2 (Set) Evacuation Level, which into effect at 8:00 a.m. today. Residents along Hwy. 227 from the junction with the West Fork of Trail Creek Rd. to address 6481 were also placed under the Level 2 alert. More than 40 structures are within the evacuation alert area.

A structural protection strike team stood by today to protect homes and other structures in the event the wildfire posed a threat. The team is assembled from engines and personnel from fire districts in Jackson and Josephine counties. They will remain in place throughout tonight.

Helicopters with water buckets flew throughout the day to cool spot fires and hot spots along the fire lines. (One of the helicopters made 105 bucket drops.) Air tankers made numerous retardant drops in areas where the fire either crossed or threaten to cross fire lines.

Much of the increased acreage today was due to the fire burning a large tract of forestland west of Cleveland Ridge. This area contains many steep, rocky bluffs and other rugged terrain that was too dangerous for firefighters to work in.

The fire was reported at 4:01 p.m. Monday, and its cause is under investigation.

Level 2 Evacuation Notice in place on Cleveland Ridge Fire

A Level Two, “Be Set,” evacuation notice is in effect for homes along Tiller Trail Highway 227 from W. Fork Trail Creek Rd. through 6481 Tiller Trail Highway 227, as well as areas surrounding the fire along W. Fork Trail Creek Rd. No structures have been lost, but at least 40 are threatened.

Cleveland Ridge Fire Burns 250 Acres Northwest of Shady Cove

Fire crews worked through the night building fire line on the Cleveland Ridge Fire, located approximately 5 miles north/northwest of Shady Cove. The fire is approximately 250 acres and 70 percent lined as of this morning.
The fire was reported at 4:01 p.m. Monday and burned nearly 200 acres of forest by nightfall. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Weather conditions today call for temperatures 90-95 degrees, relative humidity between 15-20 percent, and northwest wind at 5 mph. The fire is burning in grass, brush and mixed-age conifer forest. The topography ranges from moderate to very steep. Road access is good to the east and west flanks of the fire, and poor on the north side.
This morning firefighters will continue to evaluate the need for evacuation notices. The potential for a Level One, “Be Ready,” evacuation notice for homes along Tiller Trail Highway 227 as well as remote areas surrounding the fire is possible within the upcoming hours. No structures have been lost, but at least 40 are threatened.
Sections of West Fork Trail Creek Road remain closed today. While all other roads are currently open, we ask that people are cautious while traveling through areas with high fire traffic.
A view from ODF air attack on the Cleveland Ridge Fire on August 22, 2016.
Along with Oregon Department of Forestry crews from the Southwest Oregon District’s Medford and Grants Pass units, a Rogue Valley Strike Team has been 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, Jacksonville Fire and Ashland Fire-Rescue. Ten-man and 20-man crews are also on scene, and several Oregon Department of Corrections inmate crews have arrived to assist with fire line construction and mop-up.
Firefighters will work today to knock down the fire, strengthen control lines and work on mopping up hot spots along the perimeter.
The fire is burning on Bureau of Land Management and private lands, all of which are protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District.
Fire management officials ask that the public continue to use caution and adhere to regulations. Current fire restrictions for lands in Jackson and Josephine Counties protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District can be found on the district’s Facebook page at “ODF Southwest Oregon District” and the website www.swofire.com.

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