Please Enable Cookies www.firehouse.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. The service requires full cookie support in order to view this website. Please enable cookies on your browser and try again.<doc-sep>This article will continue to be updated with the latest information from the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) regarding the Wagner Creek and Garner complexes. For information on wildfires managed by the U.S. Forest Service, click here. (Last update at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 28 with the latest report from ODF) MEDFORD, Ore. — Over 1,000 lightning strikes from thunderstorms that rolled through the Rogue Valley on Sunday, July 15 started about 115 fire starts, according to Deputy Chief Lang Johnson of Grants Pass Fire. Although over 100 of the lightning-caused fire starts were quashed within the first 48 hours, several of those fires are still actively burning and growing as crews hurry to contain them. ODF has grouped those fires into two "complexes." Initially the Wagner Creek Complex largely described fires in Jackson County, and the Garner Complex fires in Josephine County. The Wagner Complex has since been largely contained and mopped-up, allowing fire and forestry crews to focus on the troublesome fires of the Garner Complex, which have spread into Jackson County and prompted evacuations in multiple areas. For complete and updated evacuation warnings due to Garner Complex Fires, visit our article here. Details on each complex and major fires are as follows: (Last update at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 29, 2018 with latest report from ODF) Garner Complex JACKSON AND JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. -- The Garner Complex is now 31,660 acres, and 30 percent contained. It grew by 2,748 acres overnight. FIRE ACREAGES BY FIRE: Taylor Creek: 22, 774 and 8% contained Pleasant Creek: 835 Grave Creek/Section 14/Ditch Creek: 7,817 Spencer Creek and King Mountain: 234 Smoke from the Klondike Fire cast shade over the Taylor Creek Fire on Saturday, providing some relief from high temperatures and lowered the active fire behavior. The Klondike Fire is burning in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness about 9 miles southwest of the Taylor Creek Fire. Firefighters were able to hold and strengthen all Taylor Creek Fire lines, for the first time in several days. The weather trend will continue today, which means hot and dry conditions could stimulate the fire. However, smoke from the Klondike might provide some relief again today. Conditions remain difficult for firefighters because of steep topography coupled with the weather conditions. On the Grave Creek Fire, on the east side of the complex, structure protection and mopup work continues. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office continues to adjust evacuation orders. Mandatory evacuations ( Level 3—GO!) have expanded. More than 1,000 people are now subject to the evacuation orders. Information on evacuations is available from the Southern Oregon Joint Information Center (541-474-5305). The Bureau of Land Management today issued a closure order for recreation areas along portions of the Rogue River. The order does not affect river operations, however access to the river is limited in the closed area. Information is available from http// www.blm.gov/or/districts/medford/newsroom/index.php. Management of the Garner Complex will be changing on Monday. The Oregon Department of Forestry IMT 2 is transitioning management of the fire to two incoming teams. The Taylor Creek Fire will be separated from the complex and designated as a separately managed fire. The Garner Complex will comprise the Grave Creek Fire and the Pleasant Creek, Spencer Creek and King Mountain Fires. Fire management teams typically work 14-day assignments. Transition after a 14-day assignment is normal. Incoming teams are fully briefed and prepared before the transition is made final. (Last update at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 26th with the latest report from ODF) The Garner Complex now covers 21,443 acres and is 19 percent contained, according to the latest from ODF. A “red flag” weather warning means conditions will be prime for rapid fire growth today. Firefighters were cautioned at this morning’s briefing that with gusty winds in the forecast, high temperatures and low humidity, conditions call for a high level of vigilance. In addition, much of the smoke that has been trapped over the fires has cleared out. “The fire will be getting a breath of fresh air today” said Incident Meteorologist Tom Wright, which could produce large columns of smoke. The clear air will help the visibility of helicopters and airplanes used on the fire, and they will be operated as needed to help maintain our control lines. They will be used, as needed, to help maintain our control lines. And, if conditions are right, aerial ignitions are planned to remove unburned fuels between the active fire and the over 70 miles of firelines. Today, firefighters will patrol, strengthen and “mop up” the lines on the Grave Creek portion the Garner Complex. Last night, a spot fire did threaten the line in the Shan Creek area on the Taylor Fire but firefighters worked to contain it all night and into this morning. A top priority today will be to make sure that portion of the line stays secure. Oregon Governor Kate Brown, along with other state and local elected officials, are planning a visit to the Garner Complex this morning. Also today, the United States Forest Service became part of the unified command, joining the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal. Much of the Taylor Creek Fire is burning on and threatening forest service lands. Finally, firefighters will be taking a “tactical pause” today to review the things needed to keep them safe, such as communications, escape routes and safety zones, and medical emergency procedures. Maps of the three major regions of the Garner Complex fires may be viewed below:<doc-sep>
JACKSONVILLE, Ore. — People living near the Sterling Creek Fire just outside of Jacksonville are now back down to an evacuation level one. While the situation seemed to have deescalated quickly, yesterday was quite frightening for many on the ground. Bryan Shelander was the first one to spot the fire. He had seen a couple of lightning strikes earlier in the day when two storm cells passed overhead. "I had gone outside and seen some strikes but couldn't really tell where they had hit," he explains. But I saw one back in the direction of what ended up being that fire. When I turned around I did see the smoke coming off of the snag that had been hit by lightning up there." While he acted quickly from that point, he says there was still a couple of hours when it was burning before he saw the smoke. "It was probably two hours after the lightning strike that I actually saw the smoke," says Shelander. So it had some time to get up and going." Shelander called 911 and gathered his neighbors to help fight the fire. Kyle Gossman was one such neighbor. He knows first hand what kind of a situation they were up against. "When we were trying to create a line for it, the fire just kept moving downhill really quick," he details. "Every time you felt like you were making some headway, the wind would pick up. I knew it was going to spread quick. As soon as the brush caught on fire, it was cooking." Fortunately, air resources and fire crews were able to knock it down just in time. "Suddenly we got a second helicopter called in, hand crews were showing up," explains Shelander. "And before long, the air tankers came and started dropping retardant. Now, those living nearby can breathe a sigh of relief. "I feel good, I feel relieved," says Gossman. "We were packing up our stuff and getting ready to take off so...saving the property and saving the farm was really amazing. They did a really good job up there."