APPLEGATE LAKE, Ore. (April 23, 2021) – Firefighters assigned to the Bearwallow Ridge Fire, located west of Applegate Lake in southwest Jackson County, have lined the entire perimeter and are actively working on mop-up operations. The fire is now considered to be 30% mopped up, and following GPS mapping, the fire was found to be 32 acres.
The fire was first spotted on ODF Southwest Oregon District’s Detection Center cameras shortly before 12 p.m. on Thursday, April 22, 2021. Initially, two engines were sent to the location; upon arrival, firefighters estimated the fire to be two acres and growing on steep terrain. Within an hour and a half, it had grown to an estimated four to five acres. Additional resources were ordered, including the district’s bulldozer, and a U.S. Forest Service engine assisted as well.
By 6 p.m., the fire had grown to more than 20 acres, fueled by wind. Resources stayed on the fire overnight, and two crews comprised of 30 firefighters were brought in to work the dayshift on Friday. Resources will continue to remain in the area until the fire is 100% mopped up.
Fire updates are available online at www.swofire.com and Facebook, @ODFSouthwest.