MEDFORD, Ore. – Local fire resources are being sent to Colorado to help battle a wildfire that has destroyed hundreds of homes. Officials with Grayback Forestry said multiple crews have already left southern Oregon and are en route to those fires. One team has been sent to the wildfire north of Colorado Springs, which has … Continue reading »
Study Shows Climate Change Impacts
MEDFORD, Ore. — A 280- page report issued this week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture warns that climate change could bring more massive wildfires and insect destruction of forests in the next 25 years. Officials with the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management say they are managing forest lands in this area with … Continue reading »
Oregon Proposes Shifting Wildfire Costs
MEDFORD, Ore. – Homeowners could pay less to help fight wildfires under a new plan being discussed in Salem. A new plan by the Oregon legislature wants to move around who pays to fight wildfires in order to keep costs low while fire danger is high. As it stands right now, during wildfire season, landowners … Continue reading »
Oregon Senators Asking For Disaster Aid
WASHINGTON, D.C. — After facing a year of historic wildfires, Oregon senators are asking President Obama to add our state to a disaster relief package that includes those affected by Superstorm Sandy. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden are hoping to have Oregon farmers and ranchers put on a disaster aid package that is expected … Continue reading »
Fire Season Officially Over
MEDFORD, Ore. — The recent rain in Southern Oregon has lead the Oregon Department of Forestry to declare the end of fire season. The largest fire in Southern Oregon this year was the Slate Creek Fire in Josephine County which burned 160 acres. Brian Ballou with ODF said the mild summer weather is what stands … Continue reading »
Fire Danger Level Lowered
MEDFORD, Ore. — Monday morning, the fire danger level on Oregon Department of Forestry-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine Counties dropped to “high” due to light rain in the region. Chain saws, power mowers, brush cutters, and other equipment employing internal combustion engines may now be used until 1:00 p.m. The fire danger level in … Continue reading »
Reward For Arrest In Slate Creek Fire
GRANTS PASS, Ore. – Officials are asking for your help in finding who started the Slate Creek Fire. The fire started on Labor Day around 1:30 p.m. in a densely wooded area about 10 miles southwest of Grants Pass. Specifically, officials say the fire started along a road called the Root Springs Access Road. The … Continue reading »
Slate Creek Fire Burns 120 Acres
NEAR WONDER, Ore. – The Slate Creek Fire, burning outside Wilderville, has charred more than 120 acres. On Monday afternoon, a huge plume of smoke could be seen for miles. It lead down to an area about 13 miles west of Grants Pass off of Highway 199. Crews said the remote area and winds helped … 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 »
