ROGUE RIVER, Ore. (September 8, 2021) – Firefighters assigned to the Fielder Creek Fire, located northwest of Rogue River on the 900-block of Fielder Creek road, were able to complete the fire line along the entire perimeter of the fire overnight. By early Wednesday morning, crews had lined and plumbed the entire incident with hose, allowing access to water anywhere on the fire. Following GPS mapping, the fire was determined to be 32 acres in size, affecting private and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. Recent fuels reduction work by the BLM played a large role in firefighters quickly controlling this incident. Firefighters were also able to save the home of residents who completed their own fuels mitigation on their property through ODF fuels reduction programs. No structures were lost or damaged, and no injuries have been reported.
The Fielder Creek Fire was first reported just after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday night. Rogue River Fire District 1 and ODF engines were first on scene, and quickly began an aggressive initial attack. Numerous homes were in the direct surrounding area, and structural engines began defending them immediately. A second and third alarm were called, bringing resources from Rural Metro Fire, Grants Pass Fire Rescue, Jackson County Fire District 3, Evans Valley Fire District 6, Douglas Forest Protective Association and the U.S. Forest Service Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest (U.S.F.S.). Multiple aircraft were ordered and utilized, including ODF Southwest Oregon District’s Type 3 and two Type 2 helicopters, a U.S.F.S. Type 1 helicopter, two Single Engine Air Tankers (SEAT’s) and two Large Air Tankers (LAT’s). A contract crew and multiple engines were called in to staff the fire overnight.
For Wednesday’s dayshift, four crews, seven engines and two tree fallers are assigned to the fire. Multiple aircraft are also available if needed. Hazardous trees and steep terrain are posing safety risks to firefighters, and will remain the focus today. Goals include holding the line and removing snag trees to ensure a safer mop-up for personnel.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Jackson County Emergency Management placed residents on Fielder Creek road in a Level 2 (BE SET) evacuation notice Tuesday night. That will remain in effect at this time until lifted by these agencies. The cause of this fire is under investigation.
Additional information about fire season is also available online on our Facebook page, @ODFSouthwest and our Twitter account, @swofire.