Firefighters are working 24 hours a day to halt the spread of the Rum Creek Fire, taking advantage of cooler, more humid overnight conditions that allow more aggressive suppression tactics.
Four additional structural protection strike teams arrived today to assist the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office with structural preparation, triage, situational awareness and tactical patrols. Tonight, crews will coordinate closely with wildland operations and protect homes in Galice and Rand between Peavine and Lower Grave Creek Road.
No fire and no spots have crossed the Rogue River to the north below Grave Creek. Today and tonight, firefighters are conducting tactical ignitions along primary line in the Rocky Gulch area from Galice Road to Peavine Mountain.
“The night shift will continue tactical ignitions, holding and monitoring throughout the night,” said Tom Hall, Northwest 13 operations trainee. “We’re also strategically placing engines to keep eyes on the entire west zone of the fire.”
Aviation resources now include an unmanned aerial system, which can be flown at night. Using infrared technology, a UAS can “see” through smoke to gather real-time information about the active fire perimeter.
On the west side of the fire, primary line is complete on the ridge west of Rum Creek between the river and Peavine Mountain. Crews conducted a small tactical burning off the 21-1 Road to meet a slopover at the 34 Road. Contingency line is under construction to the south of Bear Camp Road, using the 011 Road across to Chrome Ridge. Crews are working to link dozer and hand lines south from the Dad Creek Fire burn scar to Lower Grave Creek; and utilizing existing dozer lines to establish a contingency line across the ridge north of Taylor Creek.
A spot fire crossed Stratton Creek this morning, but was still inside containment lines. Crews checked it with additional tactical burning. Fire activity picked up around Ash Gulch late in the afternoon, causing some spotting that crews will address tonight, along with tactical burning, brushing, installing hoses and prepping additional lines for burning.
An inversion tonight will create heavy smoke in the Rogue Valley. Conditions will be very hot and dry for the next two days, then moderate later in the week.
The Wild section of the Rogue River below Grave Creek will remain open unless fire conditions warrant closure. River status is determined on a day-to-day basis.
Acreage – 12,916
Resources Assigned – 1,842
Containment – 1%
Here is the list of current Rum Creek Fire evacuations.
Sheltering operations are at Josephine County Fairgrounds for those who have a need.
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