Crews Make Major Progress Containing Upper Applegate Fire; Evacuation Levels Reduced

Applegate, Oregon- Firefighters battling the Upper Applegate Fire in southern Oregon have nearly completed a containment line around the blaze, reaching 95% completion by the end of Thursday’s dayshift, according to fire officials.

Crews made significant headway on Thursday, with only a small portion of unlined perimeter remaining on the fire’s north side, where high conifer mortality has complicated operations. Specialized tree fallers have been working to remove dead and fire-weakened trees to ensure a safer environment for line construction. This work is expected to continue into the night.

Thursday evening, crews are focusing on strengthening existing fire lines and beginning mop-up operations to reinforce containment. Hose lays are also being completed throughout the fire area to provide critical water access for mop-up efforts.

A total of 224 personnel remain assigned to the fire Thursday night, including eight 20-person hand crews, 10 engines, six bulldozers, and seven water tenders. Aircraft supported suppression efforts during daylight hours and will continue operations as needed until sundown.

Winds Thursday evening caused a small spot fire — estimated at 1/100th of an acre — to cross the fire line on the north side. Crews quickly responded to extinguish and mop up the area. Fire officials said they will continue monitoring fire lines closely for any additional breaches or flare-ups, with particular attention to weather shifts that could influence fire behavior.

As fire activity has moderated, evacuation levels in the area have been downgraded. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Jackson County Emergency Management reduced all Level 3 “GO NOW” evacuation orders to Level 2 “BE SET” notices. With this change, the Red Cross shelter at Jacksonville Elementary School has closed. Upper Applegate and Little Applegate roads have reopened to traffic, though fire personnel remain active in the area and drivers are urged to use caution.

The Upper Applegate Fire was first reported at 12:30 p.m. on June 18 as a grass fire. Initial responders from Applegate Fire District and the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District found a fast-moving blaze fueled by dry vegetation and driven uphill by hot, windy conditions. Agencies from across Jackson and Josephine counties, including structural fire departments, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service-Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, joined the aggressive initial attack.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Evacuation notices and updated fire maps are available at www.rvem.org/fires.