Wagner Creek and Garner Complex Update 07/17/18 AM

Date: 7/17/2018 Time: 9:15 a.m.
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY

QUICK FACTS
Incident Start Date: 7/15/2018 Incident Start Time: Approx. 9:00 a.m.
Incident Type: Wildfire
Cause: Lightning
Incident Location: Jackson & Josephine counties
Land Threat: Private, BLM, Industrial
Command Agency: ODF
Complexes Sized: 565 acres
Containment: 30%
Expected Full Containment: N/A
Civilian Injuries: 0
Firefighter Injuries: 0
Lightning Strikes: Approx. 1,000 across the District Confirmed Wildfires: 68
Structures Threatened: 0
Structures Destroyed: 0 Structures Damaged: 0

CURRENT SITUATION

Swamp Creek: 16 miles north of Rogue River. Estimated at 5 acres. While the fire does have a control line around the perimeter, interior mop up will remain a challenge today. The fire is 30% contained. No structures threatened. ***

Little Grayback: 8 miles east of Cave Junction. Holding at 2 acres. The fire has a control line around the perimeter. Smoke will continue to be present as crews work on additional suppression efforts. No structures are threatened.

Spencer Creek Fires: 1-3 Highly visible from Grants Pass, Applegate, Williams, Illinois Valley, and I-5. 12 miles south of Grants Pass. Approximately 3 fires in the area. Total fires estimated at 105 acres. Spencer Creek #1 and #2 were lined overnight. However, Spencer Creek #3 continues to push firefighters to their limits. No structures threatened.

Grave Creek Fires: 1-4 Series of fires off Upper Grave Creek Road, visible from Wimer. Approximately 17 miles north of Rogue River. 6-7 fires in the area. Total of all fires estimated at 115 acres. Grave Creek #3 is the fire within the series that has the most potential to make runs today; therefore, it is the current priority for the district. Winds along ridgelines will also test current control lines in place. Today, aerial and ground resources will continue to aggressively attack these fires striving to lengthen the current control lines along the flanks. No structures threatened.

Pleasant Creek Fire: 15 miles north of Rogue River. Estimated at 60 acres. Ground resources are working on line construction today, while aerial resources will work on cooling off the head of the fire in order to stop the further rate of spread. No structures threatened.

Tennessee Mountain: 3 miles northwest of Cave Junction. Approximately 7 acres. Last night, firefighters wrapped a control line around the fire. Firefighters will continue mopping up today. No structures threatened.

Fielder: North of MP 53 on I-5. Approximately 7 acres. Firefighters strengthened and secured the perimeter last night, and will be mopping up today. Smoke will be present. No structures threatened.

The Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 2, led by Incident Commander Chris Cline, will be taking command of a series of fires within the Garner Complex, including Spencer Creek Fires, Grave Creek Fires, and the Pleasant Creek Fire. The local district, ODF Southwest, will remain command of the Wagner Creek Complex, as well as all other fires throughout Jackson and Josephine Counties.

Green Top Mountain: 5 miles northeast of Eagle Point. Holding at 125 acres. Firefighters completed the control line around the perimeter of the fire last night. Containment is now at 45%. Today, multiple ground and aerial resources will continue to knock down the interior heat of the fire. No structures are threatened.

Sterling Creek: 7 miles south of Jacksonville. Holding at approximately 100 acres. The fire is 30% contained. Ground and aerial resources will continue to knock down the interior perimeter of this fire today.

Trail Creek & Elk Creek Drainage: Multiple fires are burning in the area surrounding Cleveland Ridge, Elk Creek, and the Trail Creek area which is roughly 5.5 miles north to northwest of Shady Cove. There are approximately 10 confirmed fires on ODF-protected land within the drainage. The largest fire in this area is estimated at 20 acres. Several fires within this drainage were lined yesterday, including an 18 acre fire, and several others sized at one acre or less. This series is 50% contained. Crews will continue to prioritize the initial attack of the remaining active fires today. No structures are threatened.

There are several other fires in Jackson and Josephine Counties that we are working diligently to knock down and contain. Our air attack platform will be performing reconnaissance flights the entire day. As always, keeping our community safe is our priority.

Evacuations: No evacuations currently in place.

ASSIGNED RESOURCES
Engines: 25
Water Tenders: 6
Helicopters: 9
Hand Crews: 35
Dozers: 10
Total Personnel: 1,000 +
Air Tankers: 5

Cooperating Agencies: Oregon Department of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, Rogue Valley Fire Chiefs Association, U.S. Forest Service Rogue River-Siskiyou

To learn more about wildfire preparedness & fire restrictions please visit:www.swofire.com