Update for Sept. 13, 2020, morning
Incident Commander: Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Blue Team Scott Magers
JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. – As of this morning, the Almeda Fire had minimal growth and is currently 60 percent contained.
Fire crews continue to focus their efforts inside the fire line to mitigate hazardous conditions which include fire debris, unstable structures, downed utility lines, as well as venting natural gas lines.
We continue to urge all citizens to stay away from evacuation zones as crews actively work to address hazardous conditions.
Temperatures are expected to reach the mid 80s today and remain for the next several days. Air quality conditions are hazardous. There is a red flag warning in effect from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. today. During this time, winds will be west to northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.
As the Almeda Fire transitions to a more stabilized phase of the incident, we have begun to plan for the recovery phase. A hazardous materials team will be arriving from Coos County as well as an Urban Search and Rescue Team with members from Utah and Nevada. These 2 teams will be assisting with damage assessment, hazard mitigation as well as detailed searches.
Persons with respiratory illnesses should remain indoors to avoid inhaling smoke. If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you. Visit Oregon Health Authority’s dedicated webpage for health resources related to wildfire smoke.
The health and safety of Rogue Valley communities and fire crews continues to be our top priority. Our best management practices include a zero-tolerance policy for proper COVID-19 PPE, proper distancing and minimizing our physical interactions within the community.
Shelter for homeowners affected by the fire can contact the Jackson County Expo at 541-774-8270.