Firefighters continue to make steady progress on the Panther Gulch Fire, burning in the Applegate Valley. Despite a few small fires along portions of our perimeter Wednesday night, crews were able to strengthen lines and continue mop-up operations, making progress on the containment of the fire, now 20%. It remains an estimated 70 acres.
Crews will continue mop-up operations today, with a goal of moving 50 feet into the interior of the fire. Crews will also be taking down snags, visible in the second picture, that could pose risks to firefighters. Safety remains a top priority on the line. We’ll also have at least three helicopters on the fire today, and potentially one more if available.
The Panther Gulch Fire was reported to ODF crews Tuesday evening around 6 p.m. With the help of aircraft, firefighters on the ground were able to gain the upper hand on the first shift. ODF Southwest Oregon District greatly appreciates the support of our partner agencies working alongside our crews, including Applegate Valley Fire District and Williams Fire Rescue.
There are no evacuations or road closures near this fire. Investigators will continue to look into the cause today.
Updates are also available online at our Facebook page: @ODFSouthwest.