August 31, 2018
Firefighters halted the I-5 Milepost 54 Fire burning near Grants Pass at approximatey 20 acres around 5:30 p.m. this afternoon. The initial report came in just after 2:30 p.m. with an estimated size of one-acre. Within minutes, the fire began spreading and spotting upslope in the direction of a dozen homes. While the homes were initially threatened by the fire, no homes were lost or damaged by this incident. Resources from multiple agencies were able to attack the fire both on the ground and in the air, and get a fire line around the perimeter a couple hours later. The steep slopes and difficult access off of the freeway posed a challenge for all crews; however, they were able to make progress quite quickly. The current fire size is still an estimate, and accurate mapping will take place overnight.
Several firefighters will be strengthening control lines and mopping up overnight in order to reach full containment. Fire investigators are currently looking into the cause of this fire, as well as the 1/10th of an acre fire which was knocked down quickly near I-5 MP 51. Please use caution when driving through this area for the remainder of the night as fire traffic will still be present.
This fire is a true testament of our aggressive and safe initial attack. Every single partner’s collaboration during this incident lead to this afternoon’s success. Crews from the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District, Applegate Valley Fire District, Rural Metro Fire Josephine County, Grants Pass Fire/Rescue, Evans Valley Fire District, Rogue River Fire, and Illinois Valley Fire District came together to keep this fire small and protect our community.
This is a great reminder; fire season is not over yet. Please know the fire restrictions in your area before recreating outdoors this holiday weekend. For additional information about the Oregon Department of Forestry, please visit us on Facebook @ODFSouthwest, at www.swofire.com, or call/visit the Southwest Oregon District office nearest to you.
August 25, 2018
RamseyCanyonFire 08/25/18 PM update
QuickFacts:
Incident Start Date: 8/22/2018
Incident Start Time: Approx. 12:45 p.m.
Incident Type: Wildfire
Cause: Under Investigation
Incident Location: near Sams Valley, Jackson County, Oregon
Land Threat: Private, BLM, Industrial
Command Agency: ODF/OSFM
Fire Size: 1,861 acres
Containment: 25%
Expected Full Containment: 9/10/2018
Civilian Injuries: 0
Firefighter Injuries: 0
Structures Threatened: 498
Structures Destroyed: 1
Structures Damaged: 0
Current Situation:
Fire crews had another successful shift on the Ramsey Canyon Fire.
Along East Evans Creek Road, crews focused on burning out small
pockets of fuel near the fireline. In the southern and western sections of
the fire, firefighters worked to secure water sources and hose lays for
mop-up and conducted mop-up operations. On the eastern portion of
the fire, firefighters found and extinguished two small spot fires that
were smoldering outside the containment lines. Wildland and structural
crews will monitor these areas through the night.
All these actions were preparation for the mop-up phase of the fire.
“Mop-up is the name of the game,” said Operations Section Chief Trainee
John Tillotson. Mop-up is a methodical process of putting the fire
completely out. On some parts of the Ramsey Canyon Fire mop-up has
already begun. In other places, crews have been busy putting the
required equipment into place; such as water tanks, pumps and hose
lays. Fallers began cutting down snags that may pose a threat to crews
mopping up at night.
Smoke may be visible in the interior of the fire due unburnt fuels
continuing to burn.
“The Department of Forestry is proud of its aggressive night shift. We
are even prouder of the excellent safety record our night shift crews
have maintained,” said ODF IMT 2 Incident Commander Joe Hessel.
“Night shift did great work last night with the burnout operation. I ask
that you once again set your day shift colleagues up for success.”
Gusty winds of 14-20 miles per hour on the ridges will test the fire lines.
The Red Cross has setup a shelter at Hanby Middle School in Gold Hill at
806 6th Ave, Gold Hill, OR 97525. The phone number is 1-888-680-
1455.
Evacuations:
Level 3 “Go”
East Evans Creek Rd., beginning at the address of 17935, and continuing east including addresses 18505, 18509 (all accessed off of West Fork Evans Creek Rd.), then continuing to include the address of 19373 at the intersection of Meadows Rd; West Fork Evans Creek Rd., the addresses 18504 and 18508; Ramsey Rd., beginning at the address 13469 and proceeding north to include 13001 and 14738 (accessed off of BLM 35-2-20) and continuing to the Meadows Rd. intersection; Meadows Rd, proceeding south from East Evans to include the address of 16880.
Level 2 “Be Set”
East Evans Creek Rd., beginning at the address 15513 and ending at 16995, and beginning at the address of 19395 and continuing to include the address of 21043 East Evans Creek Rd.; Meadows Rd, beginning at the address 16800 and 16821, then proceeding south to include the address 14765; Ramsey Rd., beginning at the address 13465 and proceeding south to include the address of 11655.
For additional information regarding evacuations, please contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
Assigned Resources:
Engines: 66
Water Tenders: 14
Helicopters: 8+
Hand Crews: 30
Dozers: 8
Total Personnel: 1072
Air Tankers: As needed
Cooperating Agencies:
Oregon Department of Forestry, BLM Oregon & Washington, Rogue Valley Fire Chiefs Association, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon, Jackson County Emergency Management, American Red Cross, U.S. Forest Service- Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.
August 25, 2018
Ramsey Canyon Fire 08/25/18 AM update
QuickFacts:
Incident Start Date: 8/22/2018
Incident Start Time: Approx. 12:45 p.m.
Incident Type: Wildfire
Cause: Under Investigation
Incident Location: near Sams Valley, Jackson County, Oregon
Land Threat: Private, BLM, Industrial
Command Agency: ODF/OSFM
Fire Size: 1,861 acres
Containment: 17%
Expected Full Containment: 9/10/2018
Civilian Injuries: 0
Firefighter Injuries: 0
Structures Threatened: 498
Structures Destroyed: 1
Structures Damaged: 0
Current Situation:
Last night, crews successfully completed burnout operations on the northwestern portions of the fire. Wildland and structure firefighters worked side by side to bring the fire down to control lines just behind the structures on East Evans Creek Road. The burnout operations added several hundred acres to the fire’s size and significantly increased the ability of control lines to stop the fire’s spread.
“It was a pivotal day. Yesterday, we were we able to build a fire line and hold it—which has been a very rare occasion this summer,” said Joe Hessel, ODF IMT 2 Incident Commander. “Our mission is to keep the fire behind the homes. I’m asking our firefighters to work really hard today to hold and secure these lines before the warm weather hits.”
Last night’s primary mission was to put fire on the ground in a safe and controlled manner. Today’s objective is to hold it. Holding operations today will include strengthening control lines where needed, burning any unburned pockets of fuel near containment lines, and watching for rolling debris and other material that may bring fire across control lines.
Fire crews will begin bringing water to the fire (aka “plumbing the fire) to support mop up and suppression operations. Structure crews from Oregon State Fire Marshall will be supporting wildland crews and providing ongoing structure protection.
Additionally, equipment operators will open strategic roads outside of the fire’s perimeter to use as contingency control lines.
The inversion moderating fire behavior will lift this afternoon, causing an increase in fire behavior. Winds of 10-12 miles per hour with gusts up to 15 will test the fire lines.
The fire burned one outbuilding on August 22, 2018 during initial attack.
The Red Cross has setup a shelter at Hanby Middle School in Gold Hill at 806 6th Ave, Gold Hill, OR 97525. The phone number is 1-888-680-1455.
Evacuations:
Level 3 “Go”
East Evans Creek Rd., beginning at the address of 17935, and continuing east including addresses 18505, 18509 (all accessed off of West Fork Evans Creek Rd.), then continuing to include the address of 19373 at the intersection of Meadows Rd; West Fork Evans Creek Rd., the addresses 18504 and 18508; Ramsey Rd., beginning at the address 13469 and proceeding north to include 13001 and 14738 (accessed off of BLM 35-2-20) and continuing to the Meadows Rd. intersection; Meadows Rd, proceeding south from East Evans to include the address of 16880.
Level 2 “Be Set”
East Evans Creek Rd., beginning at the address 15513 and ending at 16995, and beginning at the address of 19395 and continuing to include the address of 21043 East Evans Creek Rd.; Meadows Rd, beginning at the address 16800 and 16821, then proceeding south to include the address 14765; Ramsey Rd., beginning at the address 13465 and proceeding south to include the address of 11655.
For an interactive map please visit: https://bit.ly/2uUku2C
For additional information regarding evacuations, please contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
Assigned Resources:
Engines: 45
Water Tenders: 12
Helicopters: 8+
Hand Crews: 21
Dozers: 9
Total Personnel: 795
Air Tankers: As needed
Cooperating Agencies:
Oregon Department of Forestry, BLM Oregon & Washington, Rogue Valley Fire Chiefs Association, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon, Jackson County Emergency Management, American Red Cross, U.S. Forest Service- Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
August 24, 2018
Ramsey Canyon Fire p.m. update August 24, 2018
QuickFacts:
Incident Start Date: 8/22/2018
Incident Start Time: Approx. 12:45 p.m.
Incident Type: Wildfire
Cause: Under Investigation
Incident Location: near Sams Valley, Jackson County, Oregon
Land Threat: Private, BLM, Industrial
Command Agency: ODF/OSFM
Fire Size: 1,329 acres
Containment: 17%
Expected Full Containment: 9/10/2018
Civilian Injuries: 0
Firefighter Injuries: 0
Structures Threatened: 315
Structures Destroyed: 0
Structures Damaged: 0
Current Situation:
The heavy smoke that previously hampered air operations on the Ramsey Canyon Fire lifted earlier this afternoon, allowing fire managers to make good use of aviation resources to help keep the fire in check. Four helicopters cooled the fire with bucket drops and a three air tankers reinforced containment lines with targeted retardant drops.
Fire control lines in northern, eastern and southern parts of the fire were holding well. Mop up operations have begun in some parts of the fire.
While the clearer air allowed greater use of aviation resources, it also led to an uptick in fire behavior. On the northwest side of the fire, south of Evans Creek Road, afternoon winds and sunlight on the fire drove increased fire behavior. The fire backed erratically down toward the road, leaving unburnt sections that could pose problems later.
This evening fire crews are conducting burn out operations on the slope above Evans Creek Road to reduce unburned fuel and decrease the chance of an unplanned uphill run.
Tonight, Oregon State Fire Marshal will have two structure protection task forces supporting the wildland crews and protecting homes. Tomorrow, four structure protection task forces will be protecting homes around the fire’s perimeter.
Tonight’s weather will bring higher humidity recovery which will aid the ongoing burnout operations. Winds of 10-12 miles per hour with gusts up to 18 will test the fire line.
The Red Cross has setup a shelter at Hanby Middle School in Gold Hill at 806 6th Ave, Gold Hill, OR 97525. The phone number is 1-888-680-1455.
Evacuations:
Level 3 “Go”
East Evans Creek Rd., beginning at the address of 17935, and continuing east including addresses 18505, 18509 (all accessed off of West Fork Evans Creek Rd.), then continuing to include the address of 19373 at the intersection of Meadows Rd; West Fork Evans Creek Rd., the addresses 18504 and 18508; Ramsey Rd., beginning at the address 13469 and proceeding north to include 13001 and 14738 (accessed off of BLM 35-2-20) and continuing to the Meadows Rd. intersection; Meadows Rd, proceeding south from East Evans to include the address of 16880.
Level 2 “Be Set”
East Evans Creek Rd., beginning at the address 15513 and ending at 16995, and beginning at the address of 19395 and continuing to include the address of 21043 East Evans Creek Rd.; Meadows Rd, beginning at the address 16800 and 16821, then proceeding south to include the address 14765; Ramsey Rd., beginning at the address 13465 and proceeding south to include the address of 11655.
For an interactive map please visit: https://bit.ly/2uUku2C
For additional information regarding evacuations, please contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
Assigned Resources:
Engines: 45
Water Tenders: 12
Helicopters: 8+
Hand Crews: 26
Dozers: 9
Total Personnel: 795
Air Tankers: As needed
Cooperating Agencies:
Oregon Department of Forestry, BLM Oregon & Washington, Rogue Valley Fire Chiefs Association, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon, Jackson County Emergency Management, American Red Cross, U.S. Forest Service- Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
August 24, 2018
QuickFacts:
Incident Start Date: 8/22/2018
Incident Start Time: Approx. 12:45 p.m.
Incident Type: Wildfire
Cause: Under Investigation
Incident Location: near Sams Valley, Jackson County, Oregon
Land Threat: Private, BLM, Industrial
Command Agency: ODF/OSFM
Fire Size: 1,329 acres
Containment: 15%
Expected Full Containment: 9/10/2018
Civilian Injuries: 0
Firefighter Injuries: 0
Structures Threatened: 315
Structures Destroyed: 0
Structures Damaged: 0
Current Situation:
The Ramsey Canyon Fire was active early in the evening with fire activity on the south-east corner and in the north. On the north side, the fire continues to back down the ridge toward Evans Creek along East Evans Creek Road. It is currently staying at the creek and has not crossed East Evans Creek Road.
The south side of the fire is down to Ramsey Road and is holding. The fire is expected be active on the south side near the intersection of Ramsey Road and Ramsey Canyon Road and is expected to hold there.
The north side of the fire is in steep, rugged terrain and is slowly moving to the north. The Oregon State Fire Marshal will have two structure protection task forces working in the homes to the north of the fire. There will also be two task forces working on the east side of the fire assessing and protecting homes there.
The cooler weather will help firefighting efforts today. Temperatures will be in the mid 70’s to mid 80’s and relative humidity will be in the 25-30% range. Winds are expected to pick up in the afternoon, with similar winds in the 11-14 mph range late in the after-noon. This will cause fire activity to increase at that time.
Yesterday, smoke over regional airports prevented air tankers from working on the fire. Helicopters will continue to work the fire as conditions permit. If the smoke clears at the regional airport air tankers will assist in firefighting efforts.
Acreage is updated from the first infrared flight over the fire.
There are Level 2, Get Set, and Level 3, Go!, evacuations around the fire area. For detailed evacuation areas go to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office evacuation refer to the interactive map to check a specific address: https://bit.ly/2uUku2C
The Red Cross has setup a shelter at Hanby Middle School in Gold Hill at 806 6th Ave, Gold Hill, OR 97525. The phone number is 1-888-680-1455.
There will be a public meeting tonight, August 24th at 6PM at Hanby Middle School in the gymnasium. The public is invited to attend to get the latest fire information from the Incident Management Teams.
Evacuations:
Level 3 “Go”
East Evans Creek Rd., beginning at the address of 17935, and continuing east including addresses 18505, 18509 (all accessed off of West Fork Evans Creek Rd.), then continuing to include the address of 19373 at the intersection of Meadows Rd; West Fork Evans Creek Rd., the addresses 18504 and 18508; Ramsey Rd., beginning at the address 13469 and proceeding north to the Meadows Rd. intersection. Meadows Rd, proceeding south from East Evans to include the address of 16880.
Level 2 “Be Set”
East Evans Creek Rd., beginning at the address of 19395 and continuing to include the address of 21043 East Evans Creek Rd.; Meadows Rd, beginning at the address 16800 and 16821, then proceeding south to include the address 14765; Ramsey Rd., beginning at the address 13465 and proceeding south to include the address of 11655.
For an interactive map please visit: https://bit.ly/2uUku2C
For additional information regarding evacuations, please contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
Assigned Resources:
Engines: 38
Water Tenders: 17
Helicopters: 5+
Hand Crews: 14
Dozers: 11
Total Personnel: 631
Air Tankers: As needed
Cooperating Agencies:
Oregon Department of Forestry, BLM Oregon & Washington, Rogue Valley Fire Chiefs Association, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon, Jackson County Emergency Management, American Red Cross, U.S. Forest Service- Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
