Lightning
struck in the Applegate Valley at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, sparking
the first lightning-caused fires of the 2019 Fire Season. With the potential
for thunderstorms in the forecast throughout this week, firefighters are
prepared to respond to additional starts related to lightning strikes. At the
same time, the Fire Danger Level has increased to Extreme (Red), and ODF is
requesting heightened public awareness, as crews remain engaged on three fires on
the District.
This morning, firefighters are continuing to mop up the Little
Applegate Fire, located just north of the 6500 block of Little Applegate road,
southwest of Talent. It was first reported to dispatch Sunday evening, in the
same area lightning had recently struck. ODF Detection Specialists, along with
air attack en route to the report were able to confirm a sighting of smoke in
the area. A second fire south of Little Applegate road, the Yale West Fire, was
also spotted by air resources and crews arriving on scene. Both were initially
reported to be half an acre.
Additional
resources were called in, including engines, crews and aircraft from the East
Evans Fire. Within the first two hours, more than 160 personnel were assigned
to these fires, designated the Little Applegate Complex. Resources included 15
engines, seven crews, two water tenders, one bulldozer, multiple helicopters
and the District’s large airtanker (LAT). Crews, along with our partner
agencies, Applegate Valley Fire Department and the Bureau of Land Management,
were able to contain the Yale West Fire just under an acre, and the Little
Applegate Fire at 13 acres.
The Jackson
County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO)
and the Rogue Valley Fire Chief’s Association made one LEVEL 3 (GO) evacuation,
and placed three other residences in the area under a LEVEL 1 (BE READY). All
residents were notified personally by officials. Additionally, Little Applegate
road was closed at the intersection of Buncom road. Aside from residents, the
public is requested to keep clear of the area.
Crews will
remain on scene today, continuing mop-up operations and monitoring any
potential flare-up’s. Resources will also be available to divert to any new
potential fire starts.
As of Monday, August 5, 2019, lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in Jackson and Josephine Counties are in Extreme Fire Danger (Red) and new restrictions are in place. More information on current fire regulations can be found on the District’s Facebook page: @ODFsouthwest.
Firefighters on the East Evans Fire, located
approximately nine miles west of Shady Cove, made significant progress on
Sunday and throughout the evening, upping containment from zero to 27% in two shifts.
Crews were able to lay hose throughout the entire fire as well, connecting
existing structure, and hand lines were additionally strengthened. Accurate GPS
mapping has placed the fire at 155 acres, nearly half the size it was
originally estimated.
Firefighters
were also focused on falling dangerous trees in the perimeter, and made good
progress mitigating those hazards. Crews will continue that work today, and
push forward on mop-up operations, with a goal of reaching up to 300 feet in
the interior in some places.
Resources
on the fire today include 13 crews, 10 engines, 10 water tenders, one bulldozer
and numerous tree fallers. Aircraft resources will continue to remain the same.
The East Evans Fire was
initially reported as a structure fire at approximately 2 p.m. Friday. Crews
arrived to a burning structure and five acres of active fire. With hot
temperatures and wind, it spread to an estimated 300 acres within the first
three hours. However, aircraft and ground resources moved swiftly in the first
five hours to gain the upper hand. The cause of the fire remains under
investigation.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office initially made 11
LEVEL THREE and 18 LEVEL ONE evacuations; they remain in place. Residents
affected has been notified. A Red Cross Shelter in not in place.
ODF Southwest Oregon District is greatly appreciative of our partnership with the BLM on this fire, as well as the efforts made by our partner agencies, including the Rogue Valley Fire Chief’s Association, Oregon State Police, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Fire District Five, Mercy Flights, Jackson County Roads, and Jackson County Emergency Management.
Updates on the East Evans Fire can be found on our Facebook Page: @ODFSouthwest.
Windy conditions tested fire lines overnight,
as crews worked to continue forward progress on the East Evans Fire, located in
Sams Valley. While containment hasn’t changed, lines are holding strong, and
mop-up operations will continue on Sunday. The fire remains an estimated 300
acres, and is burning on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and private land.
Crews will focus on falling dangerous trees, referred to as snags,
with the goal of improving safety on the line. Mop-up operations will also
continue, however snags have posed a significant risk to firefighter safety, and
clearing hazards will be one of today’s top priorities. Crews will also be monitoring
the area for potential spot fires that may be carried by possible windy
conditions.
Weather is expected to be an added challenge for crews, along with the District today, as temperatures heat up and the potential for thunderstorms on the east side of the county could spread out resources. Firefighters and admin staff are aware of the forecast and will make strategic and tactical decisions accordingly.
More than 200 personnel remain dedicated to
the East Evans Fire for today’s shift. Resources on the fire today include 10
20-man crews, four 10-man crews, 10 engines, two bulldozers, eight water
tenders, and five tree fallers. Aircraft will be utilized when smoky conditions
adequately clear; helicopters and airtankers are available to work the fire.
The East Evans Fire was
initially reported as a structure fire at approximately 2 p.m. Friday. Crews
arrived to a burning structure and five acres of active fire. With hot
temperatures and wind, it spread to an estimated 300 acres within the first
three hours. However, aircraft and ground resources moved swiftly in the first
five hours to gain the upper hand. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office initially made 11 LEVEL
THREE and 18 LEVEL ONE evacuations; they remain in place. Residents affected
has been notified. A Red Cross Shelter in not in place.
Exactly
24 hours after the East Evans Fire was initially reported, firefighters were
successful in completing a strong fire line around the entire perimeter,
achieving their main objective for the shift. Mop-up operations began on a
portion of the fire, and will continue into this evening. The fire remains an
estimated 300 acres tonight. Containment remains at 0%, however, crews will be
working toward beginning that process.
Predicted afternoon
winds did not impact fire activity as originally anticipated, but crews are
still keeping the conditions in mind while on the line tonight. Nightshift
crews will continue to strengthen existing lines, along with furthering the
mop-up process. Personnel on the fire remains at more than 200; resources include six 20-man crews, 10 engines, two
bulldozers, and five water tenders for tonight’s shift. Aircraft will continue
water drops until sundown. Safety remains a top priority.
The East Evans Fire was initially reported
as a structure fire at approximately 2 p.m. Friday. Crews arrived to a burning
structure and five acres of active fire. With hot temperatures and wind, it
spread to an estimated 300 acres within the first three hours. However,
aircraft and ground resources moved swiftly in the first five hours to gain the
upper hand.
Evacuations made by the Jackson County Sheriff’s
Office still stand. Deputies gave an immediate evacuation notice (LEVEL 3) to
11 residences in the area, and also made 18 door-to-door LEVEL 1 evacuation
notices in the area of East Evans Creek Road between the 18500-block and
Meadows Road (north side of the roadway). At this time, a Red Cross Shelter has
not been set up. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Updates on the East Evans Fire
can be found on our Facebook Page: @ODFSouthwest and our website:
Crews
were able to continue making forward progress overnight on the East Evans Fire,
completing approximately 70% of the fire line. Located on East Evans Creek road
in Sams Valley, the fire is estimated to be around 300 acres. More than 200
personnel will be working on the fire today, with a goal of completing the fire
line and strengthening the perimeter.
Crews
continue to work to close the fire line. Four fallers will be on scene
today, taking down dangerous trees in and around the fire’s perimeter. Snags
and steep terrain are added risks to our crews. Overnight, one firefighter was
injured on the northeast side of the fire. The firefighter was transported by
air to a local hospital with serious injuries. Safety is our #1 priority and
crews will continue to mitigate risks and engage the fire as safe as possible.
Today, hot
temperatures and windy conditions will be additional challenges; fire activity
has the potential to increase in the afternoon, and aircraft will be focused
on any potential spread. A multitude
of resources will be on the fire today, including 10 20-man crews, 10 engines,
four tree fallers, four bulldozers, and six water tenders. Additionally, one
LAT, five SEATs, and a lead plane will begin making retardant drops as early as
the smoke lifts to bolster temporary and existing fire lines. Helicopters
available include five type ones, two type twos, and on type three; those
resources will also be making water drops throughout the day.
The East Evans Fire was initially reported
as a structure fire at approximately 2 p.m. Friday. Crews arrived to a burning
structure and five acres of active fire. With hot temperatures and wind, it
spread to an estimated 300 acres within the first three hours. However,
continuous retardant drops created a temporary fire line around the entire
perimeter, and significantly slowed the spread. By 7 p.m., crews had built on
the retardant line, and secured 10% with hand line.
Evacuations have been made by the Jackson County
Sheriff’s Office. Deputies gave an immediate evacuation notice (LEVEL 3) to 11
residences in the area. Deputies also made 18 door-to-door LEVEL 1 evacuation
notices in the area of East Evans Creek Road between the 18500-block and
Meadows Road (north side of the roadway). At this time, a Red Cross Shelter has
not been set up. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Updates on the East Evans Fire
can be found on our Facebook Page: @ODFSouthwest and our website:
