RUCH, Ore. (June 29, 2024) – Firefighters working on the Upper Applegate Fire made tremendous progress overnight completing strategic firing operations on the north portion of the fire. This strategy connected the fire’s edge with the hand line dug by firefighters, creating a solid barrier between the interior of the fire and homes further downhill. With this work finished, the fire is now 100% directly lined, meaning there are no unburned interior pockets along the perimeter that could easily allow the fire to burn over a line. It also gives firefighters a better defense, should those lines be tested by weather, which is expected today.
Weather forecasts are predicting the temperature at 85 degrees with winds ranging from 3-13 miles per hour (mph) and gusts up to 25 mph. As firefighters begin mopping up the north side of the fire today, they will be aware of this potential and ready to defend the lines. Wind may also increase smoke on the fire, which is expected. With this work overnight, the fire is now slightly expanded to 966 acres, however mop up has increased to 20%.
On the south side of the fire, mop-up operations have been progressing over the last couple of shifts; in some areas, firefighters have reached 120-feet into the interior of the fire, extinguishing hotspots as they go. This work is tedious but necessary, as it will prevent vegetation and coals with any lingering heat from igniting again in hot, windy conditions near the lines established.
Hazard trees remain a constant threat to firefighters on this incident. There are large patches of dead and dying conifer trees that have been impacting fire behavior and falling as firefighters work around them. These dead Douglas Fir trees are the result of numerous factors, including prolonged drought and hotter than average temperatures, as well as decades of fire suppression. Firefighters are aware of the falling potential and are mitigating these risks as much as possible. Rocks have also been falling down the steep slopes this fire has been burning on, and safety remains a top priority.
Today, more than 360 personnel are assigned to the fire, including 13 20-person crews, four engines, three bulldozers and eight water tenders. Two Type 2 and Two Type 1 helicopters remain dedicated to this incident to drop water when needed, and two Type 3 helicopters are providing full day coverage as an air attack platform to coordinate aerial work. Today, one Type 1 helicopter will be demobilized from the fire, as managers are comfortable with downsizing this fleet. As progress continues, additional resources that aren’t necessary will also be released, as overhead work to balance needs on the fire line and financial impact and responsibility. Personnel will also be hiking throughout the fire today to determine what repair work needs to be done following suppression activities.
The BLM has issued a closure order for BLM-managed lands in the fire area, including Grouse Creek Road. A map and additional information is available at https://www.blm.gov/orwafire. Little Applegate road and Applegate Lake remain open, however firefighters are working near and on the side of the road 24 hours a day. Please be aware and follow all reduced speed road signs in the area. Additionally, fire-related traffic may be impacting the Provolt area; please be aware when driving this stretch of Highway 238.
Evacuation orders remain in effect, put in place by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management. Zone JAC-434 is on a Level 1 – Be Ready notice. Zone JAC-436 remains at Level 2 – Be Set. More information about zones and locations is available at: 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 fire danger level on the ODF Southwest Oregon District is currently 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.