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  • wildfire Wildfire
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Rum Creek Fire

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Unit Information

Medford District 
Oregon 
Oregon 
0 
Medford District 
Oregon 
Oregon 
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Incident Contacts

  • Public Information
    Email:
    2022.rumcreek@firenet.gov
    Phone:
    541-625-0849
    Hours:
    10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • BLM Grants Pass
    Phone:
    541-471-6500

Rum Creek evening update for Thursday, Sept. 1

Rum Creek Fire
Publication Type: News 09/01/2022

Friday weather will test lines on the Rum Creek Fire 

MERLIN, Ore. – Wildland firefighters are steadily reinforcing lines with strategic firing operations where conditions allow, holding lines and also preparing for future ignitions.  

“We’re making progress,” said John Spencer, operations chief for Northwest IMT 13. “The next couple of days will be a test on all the work we’ve done, due to upcoming Red Flag weather for Friday’s shift.” 

 Today, crews used tactical burning to close an unburned pocket of fuel along the southern fire edge and to proactively stop fire progression northeast of Grave Creek Bridge. Structural task forces are mopping up and monitoring a 200-foot perimeter around the community of Galice and Almeda Bar areas. Resources in this area are using thermal imaging cameras (TIC) to identify hot spots near residential areas.  

 Warm temperatures and low humidity levels tonight will allow the fire to remain active and could cause uphill runs, single and group tree torching, carrying into the morning Friday. During night operations, structural firefighters are patrolling residential areas and assisting wildland suppression operations with water and hose lays.  

 In the coming days, firefighters aim to connect containment lines between the southwest and northwest edges of the fire and also on the southeast to the northeast. Perimeter scouting and assessment of contingency and emergency lines to the south and east is complete and line construction has begun. 

 The fire has not crossed the Rogue River north of Grave Creek. To the east, it has become established in McKnabe Creek and crews are constructing lines to keep it within that watershed.  

 Evacuations: No new evacuation orders or notifications have been issued. Existing evacuation orders and notifications remain in place. An interactive map showing evacuation levels according to address can be found at //JosephineCounty.gov/FireMap. For the most current evacuation information and resources, go to Josephine County Incident Information (rvem.org).  

River status: The Wild section of the Rogue River below Grave Creek will remain open unless fire conditions warrant closure. River status is determined on a day-to-day basis. Please call 541-471-6535 for more information regarding Rogue River permits. No new boating permits will be issued at this time. 

Road control: Josephine County Sheriff’s Office has established traffic access points around the fire zone. Road blocks are located at Galice Road near Crow Road; Galice Store; Bear Camp Road at Peavine (top intersection); Lower Grave Creek Road at Angora Creek (Grays Ranch); Quartz Creek Road about 3 miles up (end of County maintenance); Dutch Henry Road near Kelsey Creek (42 44'56.2/123 40'35.4); and Hog Creek at Galice Road. The National Guard is staffing the roadblocks. Only residents (must show proof of residency) and permitted users will be allowed through. 

Closures: The Bureau of Land Management Grants Pass Field Office has expanded the fire closure area to include the area west of Interstate 5 and north of Taylor Creek Gorge west of Stratton Creek. southwest to the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest boundary and west to East Fork Big Windy Creek and Bunker Creek. The northern boundary is the Rogue River from Grave Creek Boat. The full closure order and map can be viewed at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8348/ 
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