Incident contact information:
saltcreekfire2024@gmail.com
(541) 622-3834
Fire Facts: 4,081 acres | 41% contained
EAGLE POINT, Ore. – Firefighters on the Salt Creek Fire continue to mop up, expanding the cold black area adjacent to the fireline. Mop up depth ranges from 50 feet in some areas to more than 200 feet in other parts of the fire. During mop up, crews use heat-sensing detection cameras and hover the back of their hands over the ground to methodically locate hot spots. Firefighters then use water to cool these areas and remove any threat of rekindling the fire. The goal for mopping up to secure the fire is 150 feet in grassy fuels and 300 feet in heavier fuels, such as timber. Potential overhead hazards, such as snags and burned trees, are being felled before firefighters enter areas for mop up.
Today, cloud cover will help to moderate the heat slightly, but also brings the threat of potential thunderstorms. Extremely dry fuels in the area and wind from these storms could cause any new fires to rapidly expand. Firefighters and equipment from the Salt Creek Fire are available to support initial attack response in the local area.
More than 1,000 personnel are assigned to the fire, including 39 20-person crews, 35 engines, 22 water tenders, 13 tree fallers, 15 dozers and various types of logging equipment. This includes day shift and night shift personnel. Resources that are no longer needed for operations on the Salt Creek Fire are being released to be reassigned to other incidents across the state.
BLM Medford District has temporarily closed BLM-managed lands in the area for safety. For more info go to: https://www.blm.gov/orwafire
Level 1, “BE READY,” evacuation notices issued by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management remain in effect. Learn more about evacuations at: https://protect.genasys.com/
Extreme fire danger is in effect; follow all current fire restrictions to prevent fires. Learn more at:
- The ODF Southwest Oregon District: https://www.facebook.com/ODFSouthwest/
- The RRSNF Alerts and Notices page www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices and website homepage www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou
- The BLM OR/WA Fire Management Page: www.blm.gov/orwafire
The Salt Creek Fire is located 10 miles east of Eagle Point and was first reported Sunday, July 7, just after 4 p.m. The cause is under investigation.
FIRE AT A GLANCE
Estimated Size: 4,081 acres
Containment: 41%
Cause: Under Investigation
Estimated Cost: $8.4 million
Evacuations
Evacuation Level 1: BE READY for Zones JAC-316, JAC-317, JAC-319, JAC-321 and JAC-325-A.
Road Closures
Salt Creek Road and Wasson Canyon Road remained closed at Highway 140, and Double Day Road is closed off of Butte Falls Highway. Highway 140 and Butte Falls Highway remain open.
All Resources
Total Personnel: 1,044
Hand Crews: 39
Engines: 35
Water Tenders: 22
Dozers: 15
Helicopters: 7
Large Airtankers & Single Engine Airtankers are available upon request.
Incident Commander:
Joe Hessel Oregon Department of Forestry
Incident Management Team 1