The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Southwest Oregon District has completed 75% of hand and bulldozer line around the Board Mountain Fire, first reported Tuesday night just after 7:30 p.m. The fire is located northwest of Trail off of Highway 227 on an inactive industrial logging site; while the cause remains under investigation, industrial activity has been ruled out. The fire has been GPS mapped at 36 acres in size and is burning on private and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land.
When the Board Mountain Fire was initially reported, Jackson County Fire District 4 was the first resource on scene. ODF engines arrived shortly after and estimated the fire to be 3-5 acres burning on steep terrain. Helicopter 468, ODF’S District Type 2 ship, was returning from the 2021 Devil’s Knob Complex and was able to perform a few water bucket drops prior to landing for the evening. Additional resources were called in as fire activity increased, getting into heavy timber within the steep drainage; multiple bulldozers, water tenders, engines and a 20-person crew staffed the fire overnight, making significant progress despite the tough terrain. More than 170 personnel are assigned to the Board Mountain Fire for Wednesday’s dayshift, including five 20-person crews, eight engines, five bulldozers, six water tenders, and three tree fallers. Hazardous trees, or snags, are posing a serious safety risk to firefighters on the remaining 25% of unlined fire perimeter; the main goal for resources today is to remove snags and complete the fire line, while strengthening and holding lines already constructed. Aircraft will be available as needed.
There are no homes threatened, and no evacuation notices or road closures in place.
