August 31, 2016
Today firefighters walked the divisions of the Gold Canyon Fire allowing for a more accurate mapping of the perimeter. Crews used handheld GPS units to walk along the fire, now estimating it at 61 acres. The fire is 30 percent contained.
Residents on Wildpark Lane and Reeves Creek Road will remain at a Level 1 (Ready) Evacuation Level throughout the night. No structures have been lost.
Firefighters on the ground are facing steep terrain. While tomorrow’s temperatures are favorable throughout the morning, low relative humidity and variable wind gusts up to 20 mph could pose a challenge for firefighters on the line by the afternoon. Tonight firefighters will continue to extinguish hot spots and make sure fire lines remain secure.
The fire was reported Tuesday at 4:53 p.m. and its cause is under investigation. The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District is asking the public’s help in identifying the person or people who may be responsible for starting the Gold Canyon Fire.
Please call the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Grants Pass Unit office at (541) 471-3883 if you have information that will help identify people or vehicles in the area at that time. Information received will be confidential.
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 at
www.swofire.com.
August 31, 2016
The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District is asking the public’s help in identifying the person or people who may be responsible for starting yesterday’s Gold Canyon Fire, which burned 120 acres of forestland south of Selma in Josephine County. The fire was reported at 4:53 p.m. Tuesday alongside Highway 199 (Redwood Highway) near the intersection with Gold Canyon Drive.
Please call the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Grants Pass Unit office at (541) 471-3883 if you have information that will help identify people or vehicles in the area at that time. Information received will be confidential.
August 31, 2016
Fire crews worked through the night building and strengthening fire line on the Gold Canyon Fire south of Selma. The fire is approximately 120 acres, 100 percent lined and 20 percent contained as of this morning.
The fire was reported Tuesday at 4:53 p.m. burning in steep terrain consisting of tall brush and timber. The cause is under investigation.
Weather conditions today call for temperatures in the mid 80s. While temperatures and relative humidity is favorable, there is a chance of variable winds reaching 5 mph.
This morning firefighters will continue to strengthen fire line, monitor fire activity for hot spots and mop up 50 feet within the line. Fire crews will also be walking the perimeter in order to get an accurate size of acres burned. Unless conditions change, we anticipate the fire size to be smaller than originally estimated from the air.
Today, residents on Wildpark Lane and Terrece Place will remain at a Level 2 (Set) Evacuation Level; residents on Reeves Creek Road will remain at a Level 1 (Ready) Evacuation Level, unless conditions change. The Rogue Valley Strike Team has been released, and the Illinois Valley Fire District will lead structural protection throughout the day.
An American Red Cross shelter has been set up at Rogue Community College in Grants Pass in the gymnasium for residents evacuated from the Gold Canyon Fire.
Redwood Highway is back open this morning. Please be cautious while driving through the fire area. There will be an increased presence of fire traffic along the road.
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 at www.swofire.com.
Firefighters on the ground are facing steep terrain. While tomorrow’s temperatures are favorable throughout the morning, low relative humidity and variable wind gusts up to 20 mph could pose a challenge for firefighters on the line by the afternoon. Tonight firefighters will continue to extinguish hot spots and make sure fire lines remain secure.