SWO FIRE NEWS
The official wildfire news blog for the Oregon Department of Forestry's Southwest Oregon District
Direct Line Increases on Upper Applegate Fire Following Night Operations
RUCH, Ore. (June 28, 2024) – Overnight, firefighters working the Upper Applegate Fire, located south of Ruch, were able to increase the direct line around the fire to 70%, leaving only 30% indirectly lined. Strategic firing operations were used in the cooler...
Steady Progress Continues on Upper Applegate Fire
RUCH, Ore. (June 27, 2024) – Firefighters working the Upper Applegate Fire, located south of Ruch, continue to push forward and make steady progress on the incident, increasing mop-up to 15% and solidifying more direct line today, upping that number to 65%. The fire...
Line Strengthening, Mop-Up Operations Continue on Upper Applegate Fire
RUCH, Ore. (June 27, 2024) – Firefighters working on the Upper Applegate fire continue to make methodical progress on the incident, bolstering lines overnight and mopping up the southern portion of the fire. It remains 896 acres this morning and 55% lined. Resources...
Despite windy weather, Upper Applegate Fire remains within containment lines
RUCH, Ore. (June 26, 2024) – Today crews faced windy weather, which was moderated by overcast skies, higher humidity, and lower temperatures. The fire remained within the containment lines and continues to burn at a low to moderate severity. The fire was mapped at 896...
Overnight Backburn on Upper Applegate Fire
RUCH, Ore. (June 26, 2024) – Overnight, crews were able to conduct burning operations on the eastern edge of the fire. These efforts help bring the fire edge to the indirect lines established around the fire. Mop up efforts continue along the southern portion of the...
Upper Applegate Fire now 45% contained
Thanks to the hard work of crews, containment on the Upper Applegate Fire has reached 45%. This containment line is along the Upper Applegate Road and extends along much of the south side of the fire. In this area, crews have mopped up the fire, checking for hot spots...
Overnight burn successful on Upper Applegate Fire
RUCH, Ore. (June 24, 2024) – Crews successfully conducted a firing operation overnight on the far southeastern corner of the Applegate Fire. This backburn helped bring the fire to the fire line. Today’s efforts will be focused on snagging trees along the hand line...
IR flight maps Upper Applegate Fire at 830 acres
Crews continued to make progress on the Upper Applegate Fire today. Mop up was completed along the Upper Applegate Road, which will significantly reduce visible smoke from the road. Some interior islands burned out today, creating small columns of smoke. The fire...
High overnight humidity allows progress on Upper Applegate Fire
RUCH, Ore. (June 24, 2024) – High overnight humidity moderated fire behavior, allowing the night shift to make significant progress plumbing the fire. Crews have now plumbed approximately 80% of the fire, including direct and indirect lines. There are direct and...
Upper Applegate Fire 100% Lined, Mix of Direct and Indirect
RUCH, Ore. (June 23, 2024) – Lines on the Upper Applegate Fire, located south of Ruch, are now 100% complete around the perimeter, made up of both direct and indirect lines. Direct line remains at 35% tonight, as resources spent the day holding the fire in its current...
Direct Lines on Upper Applegate Fire Increase to 35% Overnight
RUCH, Ore. (June 23, 2024) – Lines created by firefighters on the Upper Applegate Fire are now 95% wrapped around the entire incident, with 35% being directly at the fire’s edge. This is tremendous progress considering the terrain this fire is burning on, located just...
Windy Conditions Test Upper Applegate Lines, Fire Remains an Estimated 500 Acres
JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. (June 22, 2024) – Firefighters are still holding the Upper Applegate Fire at approximately 500 acres, despite hot, dry and windy conditions on Saturday. Indirect lines were built along the northeastern portion of the fire, not completely closing...
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