UPDATE: TUESDAY, AUG. 28, 9:00 p.m. -- Crews are holding the Ramsey Canyon fire in northwest Jackson County to 1,971 acres, and as of Tuesday night had pushed containment to 70 percent.
Crews continue to make good progress mopping up the fire’s perimeter. In many places, firefighters have mopped up more than 100 feet from the fire’s edge. On the more accessible portions of the fire, crews have mopped in over 200 feet.
Mop up is slow dirty methodical work. But firefighters continue using handheld technology to make the job more efficient. Tonight, crews will be using portable infrared scanners to locate hot spots near control lines. Smokes get marked with flagging so that crews can extinguish them the following day.
Engines will be patrolling the fire perimeter in and around homes in the area throughout the night.
Crews have also begun repairing damage from fire suppression activities. Suppression repair often involves using heavy equipment to ensure control lines do not erode and allow sediment into streams during fall and winter rains. Fish and other aquatic species need clean water to thrive. Suppression repair activities help maintain the region’s valuable clean water and fish populations.
Today’s weather raised temperatures into the low 90s on the fire line. The residual heat may accelerate this evening’s downslope winds which could contribute to fire activity in the interior.
Local residents may still see snags burning tonight on the ridges in the interior of the fire. These trees are well within the fire perimeter and do not pose a threat to control lines.
The National Guard continues to staff four roadblocks that limit traffic to firefighting personnel and local residents with identification.
Evacuations:
There are no Level 3 notices currently associated with the Ramsey Canyon Fire.
Level 2 “Be Set”
East Evans Creek Rd., beginning at the address of 17935, and continuing east including addresses 18505, 18509 (all accessed off of West Fork Evans Creek Rd.), then continuing to include the address of 19373 at the intersection of Meadows Rd; West Fork Evans Creek Rd., the addresses 18504 and 18508; Ramsey Rd., beginning at the address 13469 and proceeding north to include 13001 and 14738 (accessed off of BLM 35-2-20) and continuing to the Meadows Rd. intersection; Meadows Rd, proceeding south from East Evans to include the address of 16880.
For an interactive map please visit: https://bit.ly/2uUku2C
For additional information regarding evacuations, please contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
UPDATE: MONDAY, AUG. 27, 10:00 p.m. -- Crews have fought the Ramsey Canyon fire to a standstill; for the first time since the fire started almost a week ago, it hasn't grown in size over the past 24 hours. The fire holds at 40 percent containment.
At this point, only 315 structures are still considered threatened, down from nearly 500 on Saturday. One outbuilding has been destroyed.
Firefighters continue to work towards Monday’s objective of mopping up in at least 50 feet. In some places they are closer to 100 feet. Firefighters will continue to use Infra-red cameras overnight to reveal heat sources buried deep in the ground. Upon discovery, the spots will be flagged for the night crews to work on and for the next day shift to double-check and completely extinguish.
In addition, firefighters continue monitoring the unburned areas around structures. Tonight, the crews’ goals are to extinguish the remaining smokes around the perimeter up to the 100 ft. mark.
Local residents may still see snags burning tonight on the ridge in the interior of the fire. These trees are well within the fire perimeter and not expected to cross any control lines.
Monday night firefighters can expect a wind shift from the east. This is a “watch-out” situation for the firefighters as the trees weakened by the fire are more likely to fall. The east winds tomorrow are expected to create smoky conditions towards Ramsey Canyon Road and possibly Gold Hill, OR. Resources assigned to night shift include two crews, ten engines, two infra-red crews and overhead personnel.
Evacuations:
Level 3 “Go”
There are no Level 3 notices currently associated with the Ramsey Canyon Fire.
Level 2 “Be Set”
East Evans Creek Rd., beginning at the address of 17935, and continuing east including addresses 18505, 18509 (all accessed off of West Fork Evans Creek Rd.), then continuing to include the address of 19373 at the intersection of Meadows Rd; West Fork Evans Creek Rd., the addresses 18504 and 18508; Ramsey Rd., beginning at the address 13469 and proceeding north to include 13001 and 14738 (accessed off of BLM 35-2-20) and continuing to the Meadows Rd. intersection; Meadows Rd, proceeding south from East Evans to include the address of 16880.
For an interactive map please visit: https://bit.ly/2uUku2C
For additional information regarding evacuations, please contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
UPDATE: SUNDAY, AUG. 26, 10:00 p.m. -- The combination of aggressive and focused firefighting efforts and favorable weather conditions has allowed crews to push the Ramsey Canyon Fire back and keep it well within containment lines. The fire has grown slightly, to 1,971 acres, but containment has jumped to 40 percent.
Evacuation levels have been lowered. Areas that were in Level 3 are now Level 2 (Set) and areas that were Level 2 are now Level 1 (Ready).
The road closure along East Evans Creek Road still remains closed to the public and only accessible to local residents and fire personnel.
Due to the decreased threat to homes, Oregon State Fire Marshall (OSFM) Green Team have met their objectives and will be demobilizing Monday morning. Still, nearly 500 hundred sructures are still considered threatened.
Sunday, crews were able to mop up into the perimeter 50-75 feet in many places. ODF’s Operations Section Chief John Pellissier said, “It was a great day. Crews were fully engaged around the entire perimeter.”
Overnight, the plan is to continue mopping up at least 50 feet around the entire perimeter and to increase areas around all structures. Hessel encouraged crews to remain focused. With many long hard days on the fire and some fatigue setting in, it might be easy to become complacent, but “the work you are doing during mop-up is no less important than what you have done so far.”
Overnight weather calls for cooler temperatures and higher humidities, with a chance of light showers on the ridges, but not enough to make a difference in firefighting efforts. Winds are from the north between 14 to 20 mph until around midnight. There is a potential for some spotting and runs up ridges, but likely to remain within the fire perimeter.
Evacuations:
Level 3 “Go”
There are no Level 3 notices currently associated with the Ramsey Canyon Fire.
Level 2 “Be Set”
East Evans Creek Rd., beginning at the address of 17935, and continuing east including addresses 18505, 18509 (all accessed off of West Fork Evans Creek Rd.), then continuing to include the address of 19373 at the intersection of Meadows Rd; West Fork Evans Creek Rd., the addresses 18504 and 18508; Ramsey Rd., beginning at the address 13469 and proceeding north to include 13001 and 14738 (accessed off of BLM 35-2-20) and continuing to the Meadows Rd. intersection; Meadows Rd, proceeding south from East Evans to include the address of 16880.
For an interactive map please visit: https://bit.ly/2uUku2C
For additional information regarding evacuations, please contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
UPDATE: SATURDAY, AUG. 25, 11:00 a.m. -- The Ramsey Canyon fire in northwest Jackson County grew about 500 acres yesterday, but most of that was because of burn operations crews conducted to reinforce containment line. The fire is now 1,861 acres and 17 percent contained. Nearly 500 structures are considered threatened.
Flight operations at Rogue Valley International Medford Airport have largely returned to normal, with only a handful of flights cancelled.
Friday night, crews successfully completed burnout operations on the northwestern portions of the fire. Wildland and structure firefighters worked side by side to bring the fire down to control lines just behind the structures on East Evans Creek Road. The burnout operations added several hundred acres to the fire’s size and significantly increased the ability of control lines to stop the fire’s spread.
“It was a pivotal day. Yesterday, we were we able to build a fire line and hold it—which has been a very rare occasion this summer,” said Joe Hessel, ODF IMT 2 Incident Commander. “Our mission is to keep the fire behind the homes. I’m asking our firefighters to work really hard today to hold and secure these lines before the warm weather hits.”
Last night’s primary mission was to put fire on the ground in a safe and controlled manner. Today’s objective is to hold it. Holding operations today will include strengthening control lines where needed, burning any unburned pockets of fuel near containment lines, and watching for rolling debris and other material that may bring fire across control lines.
Fire crews will begin bringing water to the fire (aka “plumbing the fire) to support mop up and suppression operations. Structure crews from Oregon State Fire Marshall will be supporting wildland crews and providing ongoing structure protection.
Additionally, equipment operators will open strategic roads outside of the fire’s perimeter to use as contingency control lines.
The inversion moderating fire behavior will lift this afternoon, causing an increase in fire behavior. Winds of 10-12 miles per hour with gusts up to 15 will test the fire lines.
The fire burned one outbuilding on August 22, 2018 during initial attack.
The Red Cross has setup a shelter at Hanby Middle School in Gold Hill at 806 6th Ave, Gold Hill, OR 97525. The phone number is 1-888-680-1455.
Evacuations:
Level 3 “Go”
East Evans Creek Rd., beginning at the address of 17935, and continuing east including addresses 18505, 18509 (all accessed off of West Fork Evans Creek Rd.), then continuing to include the address of 19373 at the intersection of Meadows Rd; West Fork Evans Creek Rd., the addresses 18504 and 18508; Ramsey Rd., beginning at the address 13469 and proceeding north to include 13001 and 14738 (accessed off of BLM 35-2-20) and continuing to the Meadows Rd. intersection; Meadows Rd, proceeding south from East Evans to include the address of 16880.
Level 2 “Be Set”
East Evans Creek Rd., beginning at the address 15513 and ending at 16995, and beginning at the address of 19395 and continuing to include the address of 21043 East Evans Creek Rd.; Meadows Rd, beginning at the address 16800 and 16821, then proceeding south to include the address 14765; Ramsey Rd., beginning at the address 13465 and proceeding south to include the address of 11655.
For an interactive map please visit: https://bit.ly/2uUku2C
For additional information regarding evacuations, please contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
UPDATE: FRIDAY, AUG. 24, 11:00 a.m. -- The Ramsey Canyon fire in northwest Jackson County continues to spread, now threatening more than 300 structures near the Sams Valley area.
Smoke from the fire is still affecting air traffic at the Rogue Valley International Medford Airport, limiting both arriving and departing flights and causing delays and cancellations.
As of Friday morning, the fire had grown to 1,329 acres and remained at 15 percent containment.
The fire was active early Thursday evening with fire activity on the south-east corner and in the north. On the north side, the fire continues to back down the ridge toward Evans Creek along East Evans Creek Road. It is currently staying at the creek and has not crossed East Evans Creek Road.
The south side of the fire is down to Ramsey Road and is holding. The fire is expected be active on the south side near the intersection of Ramsey Road and Ramsey Canyon Road and is expected to hold there.
The north side of the fire is in steep, rugged terrain and is slowly moving to the north. The Oregon State Fire Marshal will have two structure protection task forces working in the homes to the north of the fire. There will also be two task forces working on the east side of the fire assessing and protecting homes there.
The cooler weather will help firefighting efforts today. Temperatures will be in the mid 70’s to mid 80’s and relative humidity will be in the 25-30% range. Winds are expected to pick up in the afternoon, with similar winds in the 11-14 mph range late in the after-noon. This will cause fire activity to increase at that time.
Yesterday, smoke over regional airports prevented air tankers from working on the fire. Helicopters will continue to work the fire as conditions permit. If the smoke clears at the regional airport air tankers will assist in firefighting efforts.
Evacuations:
Level 3 “Go!”
East Evans Creek Rd., beginning at the address of 17935, and continuing east including addresses 18505, 18509 (all accessed off of West Fork Evans Creek Rd.), then continuing to include the address of 19373 at the intersection of Meadows Rd; West Fork Evans Creek Rd., the addresses 18504 and 18508; Ramsey Rd., beginning at the address 13469 and proceeding north to the Meadows Rd. intersection. Meadows Rd, proceeding south from East Evans to include the address of 16880.
Level 2 “Get Set”
East Evans Creek Rd., beginning at the address of 19395 and continuing to include the address of 21043 East Evans Creek Rd.; Meadows Rd, beginning at the address 16800 and 16821, then proceeding south to include the address 14765; Ramsey Rd., beginning at the address 13465 and proceeding south to include the address of 11655.
For an interactive map please visit: https://bit.ly/2uUku2C
For additional information regarding evacuations, please contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
The Red Cross has setup a shelter at Hanby Middle School in Gold Hill at 806 6th Ave, Gold Hill, OR 97525. The phone number is 1-888-680-1455.
There will be a public meeting tonight, August 24th at 6PM at Hanby Middle School in the gymnasium. The public is invited to attend to get the latest fire information from the Incident Management Teams.
ORIGINAL POST: THURSDAY, AUG. 23 -- A fire that started Wednesday afternoon near Sams Valley, less than 10 miles west of Shady Cove in Jackson County, is threatening more than 200 structures and has triggered evacuation alerts in nearby neighborhoods. As of 8 a.m. Thursday, it had grown to about 800 acres and was 15 percent contained.
According to the Ramsey Canyon Fire Information page on Facebook, firefighters were able overnight to complete a combination of dozer line and hand line around roughly 30-percent of the Ramsey Canyon Fire’s perimeter. Spot fires continued to be an issue overnight due to the dense landscape and steep terrain.
Structural task forces stayed out all night protecting homes and making assessments for any potential changes in evacuation levels. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office will remain the source for accurate and timely notification releases.
Today’s weather forecast includes a chance of gusty winds similar to yesterday evening. Ridgetops and canyons can reach up to 20-25 mph if conditions are right. If fire activity allows, fire managers hope to get a more accurate size of the fire mapped via ground GPS tools.
A remote helibase is set up and will be utilized when visibility allows. The area has been under a heavy blanket of smoke for days.
According to officials at the nearby Rogue Valley International Medford Airport, nearly two dozen airline flights have been cancelled or diverted to other airports since Tuesday evening due to heavy smoke. Travellers are advised to check with their airline for the status of arriving or departing flights.
An Oregon Department of Forestry Type I Incident Management Team, alongside an Oregon State Fire Marshal Team will assume command of the fire at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon in order to alleviate the local district’s initial attack resources.
The Ramsey Canyon fire is the same location as the 1994 Hull Mountain Fire where a firefighter died. Crews are being asked to review their “watch out” situations throughout the day.
The current evacuations are as follows:
Level 3 “Go”
Ramsey Rd., beginning at the address 13469 and proceeding north to the Meadows Rd. intersection. Meadows Rd, proceeding south from East Evans to include the address of 17000.
Level 2 “Be Set”
East Evans Creek Rd., from West Fork Evans Creek Rd beginning with the address 16840 to Antioch Rd ending at the address 22185; Meadows Rd, the addresses 16840, 16880, 16901, and 16933.
The Red Cross has opened a shelter for wildfire evacuees in Gold Hill, due to the Ramsey Canyon Fire.The shelter is located at Hanby Middle School, 806 6th Ave.Gold Hill, OR. Individuals and families affected by the wildfire and in need of shelter assistance are encouraged to simply show up at the shelter for help.
For an interactive map please visit: https://bit.ly/2uUku2C
For additional information regarding evacuations, please contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
