At approximately 8:42 am, the Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (ECSO) received an urgent alert regarding a new wildfire in the Prescott Park area of East Medford. The blaze was reported to be located on the “back side” of Roxy Ann Peak, sparking immediate concern among local authorities.
Responding swiftly to the emergency, a Rogue Valley Fire Task Force, which happened to be conducting training exercises near The Expo, was promptly redirected to tackle the newly erupted wildfire. Additional support was dispatched from the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), Medford Fire Department (MFD), Jackson County Fire District 5 (JCFD5), and Jackson County Fire District 3 (JCFD3).
Fire crews worked diligently to gain access to the Roxy Ann wildfire, utilizing Hillcrest Road and a nearby rock quarry road to reach the affected area. Due to the challenging terrain, multiple Type 6 fire engines were dispatched with Code 3 urgency, as larger engines faced difficulties accessing the site.
As of 10:08 am, significant progress has been made in containing the fire, with approximately 80% of the blaze brought under control. Despite the initial scale of the wildfire, estimated to be around 1/4 acre upon the arrival of the first responders, their coordinated efforts have successfully limited its spread. Currently, the fire covers roughly 8 acres and is fully lined, prompting ongoing mop-up work.
Fortunately, there have been no immediate evacuations necessitated by the wildfire, and there is currently no threat posed to nearby structures or vegetation. However, as a precautionary measure, the City of Medford has temporarily closed Prescott Park until the situation is completely resolved.
The incident remains under investigation as authorities work to determine the cause of the fire. With the swift response and efforts of the fire crews, the potential risks posed by this wildfire are being mitigated, highlighting the importance of their ongoing work in safeguarding the community from wildfire threats.
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