Multiple new fire starts have been discovered following a thunderstorm that passed over the Rogue Valley early Thursday morning. In Jackson County, crews have been dispatched to 27 reports of lightning-caused fires, and 19 in Josephine County. Of the 46 total, 26 are extinguished, and crews are responding to three and actively mopping up six. The additional reports of fire were either unable to be located, or on lands not protected by the Southwest Oregon District; in these cases, crews worked on the fire until the appropriate agency arrived on scene to take over.
While this storm produced numerous fire starts, crews were able to catch them all quickly, resulting in approximately 25 acres burned across both counties.
On Friday, crews will remain engaged on the few active fires, with a focus on the largest, the Bunker Creek Fire in northwest Josephine County, at an estimated 20 acres.
While temperatures are predicted to be cooler in the next few days, fires originally sparked by lightning may ignite and flare up in the coming days and weeks. Reconnaissance flights will be conducted every day until crews fly three consistent days free of reports of smoke or fires.
The public can also play a role in helping keep our area fire-free; Any smoke seen around the valley should be reported to an ODF office or 911 in an emergency. Updates are available on our Facebook page: @ODFSouthwest.
Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District firefighters have been responding to several reports of small lightning-sparked fires as a result of overnight thunderstorms in Southern Oregon. Between Jackson and Josephine Counties, more than 30 reports of potential fires have been received by our dispatch centers, and crews have confirmed 18 fires, extinguishing five. Another six reports have not been confirmed, and crews will be dispatched to those potential incidents when current assignments are wrapped up.
In Jackson County, the majority of fires are reported on the east side, ranging from the California-Oregon border to Grizzly Peak and Butte Falls. In Josephine County, fires range from the Applegate Valley to Deer Creek, Sexton Mountain and Wolf Creek. The largest is south of Butte Falls, estimated to be ¾ of an acre.
More than 100 firefighters between both counties are available and responding to these reported fires. Resources available include engines, crews, and aircraft. All staff will remain engaged into this evening, when another system may bring additional thunderstorms through the Rogue Valley. As the weather begins to warm up, fire starts from lightning have the potential to flare up in the heat, and new starts may materialize. All staff at the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District are prepared to respond to these reports.
Updates are also available on our Facebook page: @ODFSouthwest.