August 23, 2016
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.
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.
August 22, 2016
Air attack just finished making their final rounds on the #ClevelandRidgeFire near Trail.
The fire started just after 4 p.m. Near W. Fork Trail Creek Road.
The fire has burned 180 acres of grass, brush, and timber and continues to grow. However, the rate of spread has significantly slowed since sundown.
The only area under a Level One, “Be Ready”, evacuation notice is Taylor Road which runs parallel to Tiller Trail Highway 227. Some residents have already decided to self-evacuate the area.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
We will have a final evening update shortly.
August 16, 2016
The fire danger level rises to “Extreme” (red) at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, August 18, in the Wild & Scenic Section of the Rogue River. The Oregon Dept. of Forestry protects the Bureau of Land Management section of the river between Grave Creek and Marial, and the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest protects the section from Marial downstream to Watson Creek.
Here are the regulations going into effect on Thursday:
- Smoking will be prohibited except in boats on the water, and on naturally vegetation-free gravel bars and sand bars below the river’s high-water mark.
- Open fires will be prohibited, including camp fires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires. However, portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels will be allowed on naturally vegetation-free gravel bars and sand bars below the high-water mark
- Travelers must carry a shovel and bucket (one-gallon size).
- Fireworks will be prohibited.
For further information about fire restrictions in all parts of the Wild and Scenic Section of the Rogue River, contact the Smullin Visitor Center located at the Rand National Historic Site at (541) 479-3735.
For more information and to see the full text of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest order, including a list of designated recreation sites where campfires are permitted, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s fire season regulations, contact ODF’s Grants Pass Unit at 5375 Monument Drive, Grants Pass. The phone number is (541) 474-3152.
August 16, 2016
Industrial operations on Oregon Department of Forestry-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties will be required to follow stricter fire prevention regulations starting at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, August 18. Industrial Fire Precaution Level 3 (three) requires logging, road building and other operations in forests and wildland areas to shut down most equipment by 1:00 p.m.
These measures are necessary to prevent wildfires as much of the southwest portion of the state is in a period of hot weather, dry afternoon winds and low humidity.
The public regulated use fire danger level climbed to “Extreme” (red) on Monday and will remain at that level for the foreseeable future.
Under Industrial Fire Precaution Level 3, the following fire prevention regulations take effect on Thursday:
- Cable yarding will not be allowed. However, gravity operated-logging systems employing non-motorized carriages may operate until 1:00 p.m. and after 8:00 p.m. These systems must have all blocks and moving lines suspended 10 feet above the ground, except the line between the carriage and the chokers;
- Power saw use will not be allowed. However, power saws may be used until 1:00 p.m. and after 8:00 p.m. at loading sites and on tractor or skidder operations;
- In addition, the following equipment and operations must shut down between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.:
- Tractor/skidder, feller-buncher, forwarder, or shovel logging operations where tractors, skidders or other equipment with a blade capable of constructing fireline are immediately available to quickly reach and effectively attack a fire start;
- Mechanized loading or hauling of any product or material;
- Blasting;
- Welding or cutting of metal;
- Any spark-emitting activity not specifically mentioned above.
The following IFPL regulations are currently in effect and will remain in effect:
- The use of fire in any form is prohibited;
- Commercial operations must have fire suppression equipment on the job site;
- Watchman service must be provided.
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
