ODF Southwest Oregon District crews started rolling before 9:00 a.m. today on more than two dozen lightning-caused fires. Most of the fires have been contained at less than 1/10th of an acre. The largest fire is a 30-acre blaze on Green Top Mountain, approximately 5 miles northeast of Eagle Point. Crews, bulldozers, helicopters and air tankers have been ordered to fight that fire.
This morning’s lightning storms hit many parts of Jackson County, starting small fires in the following areas: Anderson Butte, Wagner Butte, Hells Peak, Kane Creek, Hyatt Prairie, Burnt Peak, Sterling Creek Road, Cleveland Ridge and several other areas.
Dispatchers expect to have more smokes reported this afternoon. Mountain-top cameras and aircraft are watching for fires across the Siskiyou Mountains in Jackson and Josephine counties, as well as the west slope of the Cascade Range.
[ Update 4:10 p.m. ]
More than a dozen lightning-caused fires have also been discovered in Josephine County by ODF’s Grants Pass Unit crews. The largest fire is approximately 5 acres on Little Grayback Peak, east of Cave Junction.
In Jackson County on ODF’s Medford Unit, crews and aircraft are working on the Sterling Creek Fire, approximately 15 acres and the Hells Peak Fire, approximately 10 acres. The largest fire on the district, Green Top, continues to grow and is estimated at 45 acres. Air Tanker 62 and other aircraft have been ordered to drop retardant and water on this fire.
