Firefighters were able to confirm in the daylight today that the Panther Gulch Fire burning in the Applegate Valley is completely lined, and crews were able to hold those lines today. The fire is still estimated to be around 70 acres, however the steep terrain has made walking the perimeter and mapping the fire for an exact acreage difficult. The fire remains 15% contained tonight and more than 100 people are staffing it.
This evening, four crews, four engines, one water tender and one bulldozer will be taking over. Safety is tonight’s top priority; hazards include snags, rolling logs, and steep terrain. Firefighters are tasked with finishing laying hose throughout the fire, before beginning mop-up. When those operations begin, crews will begin by moving in 25 feet from the perimeter, extinguishing hot spots as they work inward.
Investigators were on scene today, working to determine the cause of the fire. At this time, it is still under investigation. No evacuations or road closures have been made.
Updates are also available online at our Facebook page: @ODFSouthwest and our website: www.swofire.com.