Forecasters warn that ‘abundant lightning’ on dry fuels could spark new fires
Ashland.news staff report
ORIGINAL POST
Forecasters with the National Weather Service issued another red flag warning that will be in effect from 1 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26.
The weather service noted that abundant lightning on dry fuels could result in several new fire starts. The weather service added that outflow winds could top out at 50 mph.
The weather service issues a red flag warning when it identifies weather conditions that promote the rapid spread of fire, which may become life-threatening. It does not mean there is a fire.
The red flag warning for Tuesday, Aug. 26, follows a monsoonal air mass notice and Sunday red flag warning that remains in effect until 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 25.
UPDATE: Monday, Aug. 25, 6:50 p.m.
Lightning strikes on Sunday are likely what sparked the McDonald fire, which is burning on four acres south of Ashland near the city’s watershed, according to the Watch Duty App.
Kelly Burns, Ashland emergency manager, said the blaze, which was discovered around 8 a.m. by fire crews, is under the management of the U.S. Forest Service.
He said the area southwest of Mount Ashland, zone JAC-448, is under a Level 1 “be ready” evacuation notice. According to the Jackson County Emergency Management webpage, a Level 1 means that people “should be aware of the danger that exists in their area and monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information.”
Burns said Ashland officials, including his office and the city’s fire and police departments, are monitoring the situation given that more lightning strikes are forecasted in the valley.
He said people should stay informed, monitor the weather, and remain aware.
“We live in an area that is fire-prone,” Burns said. “It’s good to pay attention.”
The fire is burning in National Forest Service land near the Meridian Overlook / Grouse Gap picnic area behind Mount Ashland, according to a post on the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. The fire has led to the closure of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) section in the area.
— Steve Mitchell
UPDATE: Monday, Aug. 25, 9 p.m.
Forward progress has been stopped on the McDonald Fire, which is estimated at 5 acres, according a Monday evening post on the U.S. Forest Service Klamath National Forest Facebook page. Ground crews have a containment line around the fire and will remain on scene mopping up and strengthening the line, according to the post.
UPDATE: Wednesday, Aug. 27, 4:45 p.m.
The Level 1 “be ready” evacuation notice for the area southwest of Mount Ashland, JAC-448, has been cancelled “due to successful firefighting efforts,” according to an alert from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
Meanwhile, smoke from fires in surrounding areas, including the Dillon Fire in Siskiyou County and the Emigrant Fire in Lane County, has the potential to impact air quality in Jackson County for brief periods, according to a Wednesday, Aug. 27 press release from the Jackson County Health Department.
Depending on weather factors, including the direction of the wind and how much smoke the fires are emitting, the smoke levels can quickly rise and fall, the press release noted.
“It is important for people to be aware and prepared for when wildfire smoke moves into the valley during wildfire season. Wildfire smoke can move in quickly and dissipate just as quickly, or linger for longer periods. Sometimes, it feels like it comes out of nowhere,” states Tanya Phillips, health promotion and preparedness manager with Jackson County Public Health.
Email Ashland.news associate editor Steve Mitchell at stevem@ashland.news.
