A line had been secured around 70% of the perimeter as of Thursday morning
By Ryan Pfeil, Ashland.news
The fast-moving Applegate wildfire that prompted an immense initial attack from the air and the the ground Wednesday did not grow overnight, with a fire line secured around 70% of the perimeter, the Oregon Department of Forestry reported Thursday morning.
Originally reported to be about 350 acres, the fire’s size has since been revised to 470, according to an ODF news release. The cause remains unknown.
“We are still actively investigating that,” said ODF public information officer Natalie Weber.
The blaze was first reported at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, burning uphill through dry vegetation in the 2000 block of Upper Applegate Road. The Applegate Rural Fire District and ODF crews were the first on scene.
Additional resources also responded, including multiple air tankers and helicopters. The aircraft created a temporary fire line with retardant on the left flank, slowing its growth from winds that had been pushing it north, ODF officials said. Crews and apparatus from numerous area fire departments, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service also responded to the scene to aid in the firefight and to protect structures.
On Thursday, 204 personnel remain on the fire, comprising eight crews. Apparatus include seven engines, six bulldozers and three water tenders. Five helicopters remain on scene with an air attack plane, and retardant drops will be ordered as needed, the ODF news release says.
Multiple areas remain under various evacuation advisory levels. JAC-436 is still under a Level 3 “Go Now,” while JAC-437 and JAC-427 under under Level 2 “Get Set.” JAC-421, 422, 419, 428, and 443 remain under a Level 1 “Get Ready” advisory. To view ongoing evacuation level changes, and to see if a specific address is included in one of the various advisories, visit rvem.org/fires and click on the “Evac” tab.
Crews will continue to improve fire lines around the fire perimeter and focus on the fire’s northern portion, the only unlined section. Crews are working on removing hazard trees from the area for safer working conditions. No firefighter injuries have been reported, Weber said.
Weather may also prove a challenge, with area winds expected to reach speeds of 10 to 20 mph and 25 mph gusts.
“It’s very possible that we could see more smoke on the fire in the afternoon, just due to the conditions,” Weber said. “Firefighters are aware of this potential and will be watching for changes to fire conditions and responding with any needed resources.”
“The main goal is just to hold the lines that we have today through that warm, windy weather and make as much progress as possible on closing that line,” Weber added.
“Springlike” weather is forecast to return to the region Friday through Sunday, with some chances of mild rain over parts of Jackson and Josephine counties, according to the National Weather Service.
Email Ashland.news web editor Ryan Pfeil at ryanp@ashland.news.
