NEAR UNION CREEK, Ore. – A crash on Highway 62, near Mile Marker 55 has sparked a fire. Oregon Department of Forestry says a large truck, possibly a semi and a car, crashed about three miles south of Union Creek. Crews are on the scene, ODF says there is a lot of fire fuel but … Continue reading »
Aerial Attack On Forest Fires
NEAR APPLEGATE LAKE, Ore. – An extremely remote area and steep terrain has crews increasing their efforts on fires near Applegate Lake. Because the fires are in such a remote area, equipment like helicopters are crucial. So crews are increasing the number of aircraft and the space they have to hold them. The Lick Fire, … Continue reading »
Hazy Sky Due To Fires
MEDFORD, Ore. – Southern Oregonians are seeing a lot of smoke in the skies; in the Rogue Valley, it’s coming from two fires in the Red Butte Wilderness Area. The Hello Fire and the Lick fires are both burning with 0% containment and there is also a lot of smoke in the Klamath Basin coming … Continue reading »
ODF Has Used Harrington Ponds for Fires
MEDFORD, Ore. — According to Oregon law, all water — including the rain and snow water — that Gary Harrington used are public and can only be collected with a permit. In the case of Mr. Harrington, obtaining a permit was not possible because the water in his ponds would filter into Big Butte Creek, … Continue reading »
Sterling Ditch Fire ‘Pretty Much Out’
MEDFORD, Ore. — The Sterling Ditch Fire that burned near Anderson Butte Road is now, “pretty much out”. The Oregon Department of Forestry says a few crews are out on the scene of the fire Thursday, making sure everything is covered. The Oregon Department of Forestry says a few crews are out on the scene … Continue reading »
Crews Respond To Oregon, California Fire
Sterling Ditch Fire Crews are still working this morning to keep a fire under control in the rogue valley. The Oregon Department of Forestry is calling it the Sterling Ditch Fire. The fire is burning near Anderson Butte Road southwest of Medford. It started out at 2 acres and grew to 6 acres. ODF Spokesman … Continue reading »
Grass Fire Burns Near Bellinger Lane
JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — Fire crews mopped up a fire near the intersection of South Stage Road and Bellinger Lane on Sunday evening. Oregon Department of Forestry officials say the blaze reached nearly three acres in size. No structures were impacted. Multiple units responded to the scene, including eight trucks and a bulldozer from the … Continue reading »
Lightning Strikes Hit Jackson County
By Sharon Ko MEDFORD, Ore. — Dozens of lightning strikes hitting Jackson County has officials looking closely at the forest floors. Fire officials fear those lightning strikes are silently waiting to possibly smother into aggressive fires. The Oregon Department of Forestry says lightning struck Jackson County about 23 times. As of now, officials have not … Continue reading »
ODF Fire Spotters Take Positions
By Bryan Navarro SODA MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT, Ore. — ODF staff are moving into fire lookouts perched high above Southern Oregon and Northern California. It’s move-in day at the Soda Mountain Lookout. It’s a room 6,000 feet high, and a home for the next 4 months. Ken Struck is calling this 14 by 14 foot space … Continue reading »
ODF Makes Fire Season Announcement
By Rob Scott MEDFORD, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Forestry says fire season will begin on Wednesday. This year’s start to fire season is later than usual, but officials warn to not take it lightly. Crews have already responded to several grass fires, which is one of the factors they take into account when … Continue reading »
