Ramsey Canyon Fire 08/23/18 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: 1,500 acres
Containment: 15%
Expected Full Containment: N/A
Civilian Injuries: 0
Firefighter Injuries: 0
Current Situation:
The Ramsey Canyon Fire was active on the north edge and southeast today. In the southeast corner, northwest winds pushed it into dry fuels. The fire also bumped up against Ramsey road, but has not crossed it. Air operations are focusing in these areas to help in firefighting efforts. Smoke over the fire prevented heavy aircraft to make retardant drops. But helicopters were active over the fire the entire day.
The north side of the fire backed down to East Evans Creek Road where it is along the road, but has not crossed it. Fire crews will work overnight to secure the line in this area. Overall, the fire is 30% lined with direct line and 30% lined with indirect line. Some of these lines are plumbed and secured.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal Team will be doing assessment and protection of homes in the evacuation areas. They will be working overnight and through the day with four task forces during day shift and two task forces working night shift.
The smoke is expected to lift when winds show up in the late afternoon and evening. Winds are expected to be sustained between 11– 14 mph with gusts up to 22 mph. These conditions will increase fire activity across the fire with some crowning and spotting expected. Overnight the wind will drop to 2-4 mph when temperatures drop into the 50’s and relative humidity will be in the 80’s, which will help crews working throughout the night to build and strengthen lines.
The Red Cross has setup a shelter at Hanby Middle School in Gold Hill at 806 6th Ave, Gold Hill, OR 97525.
There will be a public meeting tomorrow, 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.
Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 2 took over control of the Ramsey Canyon Fire as of 1400 today. They are in unified command with Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Green Team.
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.
A temporary shelter for livestock is being organized at the Jackson County Expo. Please contact Linda Bacon at (541)226-1124, or Expo staff at (541)821-8406, if you need to make use of this resource.
For an interactive map please visit: https://bit.ly/2uUku2C
For additional information regarding evacuations, please contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
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