September 14, 2016
At approximately 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District responded to a grass fire burning near a home on Highway 227 and Rocky Road in Trail. The Rocky Road Fire was burning at a moderate rate of speed upslope in grass, brush and timber. Within two hours, crews were able to slow down the fire’s spread and get a fire line around 80 percent of the perimeter.
Tonight, the fire size is estimated at 15.2 acres and is 35 percent contained.
There was an initial threat to nearby homes along Rocky Road; however, with the help of the Rogue Valley Wildland Task Force 2 consisting of Illinois Valley Fire District, Jackson County Fire District 5, Jackson Fire District 3, Jackson County Fire District 4, Medford Fire-Rescue and Ashland Fire & Rescue, all structures were protected.
No public or firefighter injuries have been reported.
Crews will continue to work tonight constructing additional hand line, as well as strengthening fire line currently in place. Firefighters will also be monitoring for spot fires throughout the evening and tomorrow morning. Ground crews were able to quickly stop several spot fires this afternoon at 1/10th and 1/100th of an acre.
All road closures have been lifted, but please be cautious of increased fire traffic along Highway 227.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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.
September 6, 2016
Cool temperatures and high relative humidity has prompted the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District to drop the Industrial Fire Precaution Level to II (two) today. Cable yarding, blasting, welding or cutting of metal, and power saws except at loading sites may operate only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m.
This does not change the fire danger level for the public; the regulated use closure will remain “extreme” (red). For details on fire prevention restrictions, see the Fire Season Regulations page on this website.
September 2, 2016
The 61-acre Gold Canyon Fire is now 85 percent contained.
The forecast is favorable for firefighting efforts throughout the day; temperatures range from 75 to 80 degrees and relative humidity will remain in the upper 20s. Wind gusts up to 5 mph could be present by the afternoon.
Firefighters will be mopping up 500 to 600 feet inside the fire line today further strengthening the containment of this fire. As long as conditions do not change, resources will begin being pulled from the fire Saturday.
Residents on Wildpark Lane and Reeves Creek Road will remain at a Level 1 (Ready) Evacuation Level throughout the day as a precaution. No structures have been lost.
The fire was reported Tuesday at 4:53 p.m. and its cause is under investigation. The fire investigator has made progress toward narrowing down the cause; however, official results have not been released.
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
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.
