RUCH, Ore. (June 24, 2024) – Crews successfully conducted a firing operation overnight on the far southeastern corner of the Applegate Fire. This backburn helped bring the fire to the fire line. Today’s efforts will be focused on snagging trees along the hand line above Little Applegate Road. Mopping up of fire line continues. There are direct and indirect lines around 100% of the fire. The fire was mapped at 830 acres by an infrared flight yesterday morning. Steep slopes, hazard trees and rocks are continuing to challenge resources.
Temperatures in the 90s, with low relative humidity and increasing winds may lead to increased interior fire behavior and smoke. Fire managers anticipate that the fire will continue backing down the slopes towards containment lines.
A community meeting is scheduled for 7:00 -8:00 PM tonight, June 25, at the Ruch Elementary School, 156 Upper Applegate Road. Incident Commander Larry Kazakoff, along with agency partners, will provide an update on the fire and answer questions from the community.
More than 450 personnel are assigned to this incident, including 19 20-person crews, six engines, five tree fallers, four bulldozers and numerous overhead. Four helicopters of various sizes are assigned to the fire again today, with additional helicopters and air tankers available when needed.
Level 2 – BE SET evacuation notices remain in effect by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management for Zones JAC-434 and JAC-436. More information about zones and locations is available here: https://protect.genasys.com/.
This fire is affecting private, BLM and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) land on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. It was first reported in the late afternoon of Thursday, June 20. The cause of this fire is currently under investigation.
The fire danger level on the ODF Southwest Oregon District is moderate (blue) and regulations are in place. Please be aware of and follow all current restrictions to help reduce the risk of fires in our communities. Fire season information is also available online at our Facebook page: @ODFSouthwest and our website: www.swofire.com.