*This will be the final update on the Gyda Fire unless conditions significantly change.*
Containment on the Gyda Fire, located on the 11000-block of Highway 238, continues to steadily increase, jumping up to 57% as of Thursday morning. Crews pushed forward in mop-up operations, reaching the overnight goal of 150 feet into the fire; dayshift crews are aiming to extend another 100 feet past the perimeter on Thursday. Fire lines are holding steady, keeping the fire at 54 acres.
Resources assigned to the fire on Thursday include 13 crews, 14 engines, six water tenders, one bulldozer, and multiple tree fallers, adding up to more than 270 personnel. Tree falling operations will continue, mitigating hazardous snags in the northeast corner of the fire, while firefighters will continue extinguishing hotspots.
The Gyda Fire was first reported on Tuesday afternoon at approximately 3:50 p.m., burning mostly on private land, affecting a few acres of BLM-managed land as well. Two outbuildings were destroyed, however 12 homes in the immediate area were protected by structural resources from multiple local fire agencies, and no evacuations were put in place.
ODF greatly appreciates our partners on this fire, including the Bureau of Land Management, Applegate Valley Fire District, Jacksonville Fire Department, Jackson County Fire District 3, Rural/Metro Fire, Grants Pass Fire-Rescue, Illinois Valley Fire Department, Rogue River Fire Department, the Oregon Department of Transportation, the U.S. Forest Service, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and Oregon State Police.
The cause of the Gyda Fire remains under investigation. This will be the final update unless conditions significantly change.