Cool and Humid Conditions Continue to Aid Suppression Efforts

MERLIN, Ore. – Rum Creek fire area is holding at 83 percent containment with no new fire growth. Crews continue to be downsized, with 330 people remaining. Unsettled weather will continue for several days bringing higher humidity levels and scattered showers. Wind gusts of up to 22 mph are expected for the second day in a row for upper slopes and ridges. Isolated lightning levels today and tomorrow are not predicted to start fires but could bring rain levels strong enough to wash soils, provide instability in burned areas, and be a safety concern for public and fire crews within the fire perimeter. Crews will focus on suppression, mop up, patrol, rehab/repair, and hazard tree mitigation.

Today we will begin the transition to a Type 3 Incident Management Team under the leadership of Incident Commander Brandon Kerns. The Type 3 team will assume full command at 0700, Tuesday, September 20, 2022. As part of this transition, crews and equipment will be downsized.

Road Checkpoints: Road blocks are located at: Galice Rd north of Almeda; Peavine East Road at Bear Camp Road; Peavine West Road at Upper Bear Camp Road; Quartz Creek Road about 3 miles up (end of County maintenance); Hog Creek Road at Galice Road; and Galice Road at the bridge by Grave Creek Boat Ramp.

Recreation Area Openings: The Rogue River Trail (river right) is open, as is Almeda County Park. Rocky Bar, Robert Dean, Chair, and Rand Recreation sites remain closed at this time. The Rainie Falls National Recreation Trail (on river left) remains closed. The Grave Creek boat ramp is not accessible from Galice Road. Additional recreation sites are being assessed. Revised closure order and map: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions.

River status: The Wild section of the Rogue River below Grave Creek is open. The Smullin Visitor Center in Rand is now open for permits, and new Wild Section permits will be issued starting on Monday. The recreation section of the Rogue River is open, however the Rand and Argo Boat Ramps are closed. Day users are recommended to take out at Almeda. Please call 541-471-6535 for more information.

More Recreation Opportunities Open Up Within The Rum Creek Fire Area 

MERLIN, Ore. – Moderate weather contributed to no new fire growth yesterday and containment remains at 83 percent for the Rum Creek Fire. Wind gusts are expected today for upper slopes and ridges, but elsewhere the projected consecutive days of repeated moisture this weekend should facilitate continued suppression, mop up and patrol, and opportunities for rehab/repair where appropriate.

News Release
Medford District Office 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2022
Media contact: Kyle Sullivan
(541) 618-2340 

 Bureau of Land Management Medford District revises public land closures as Rum Creek Fire activity decreases  

Medford, Oregon – Thanks to progress made by firefighters on the Rum Creek Fire, the Bureau of Land Management Grants Pass Field Office is reopening some areas of public lands near the Rum Creek Fire.

The closure area is bound to the north by the Rogue River and Lower Grave Creek Road, and to the south by Galice Road and Bear Camp Road. The western boundary extends to Township 34S Range 9 West and the eastern boundary extends to Township 34 South Range 6 West. Please see attached map.    

The Smullin Visitor Center in Rand will be open for permits, and new Wild Section permits will be issued starting on Monday. Rocky Bar, Robert Dean, Chair, and Rand Recreation sites remain closed at this time. The Rainie Falls National Recreation Trail (on river left) remains closed. The Rogue River Trail (river right) is open. The Grave Creek boat ramp is not accessible from Galice Road.   

Public and firefighter safety remain the highest priority. Before venturing out to re-opened public lands near the Rum Creek Fire, be aware that fire traffic may still be seen in the area.  

Additionally, safety concerns still exist. Ash and dust from the fire may contain toxic and cancer-causing chemicals. Watch out for fire weakened trees and limbs that can fall without warning. Leave the area if wind picks up immediately. In wet weather, water or mud may cause landslides or flooding. Stump holes can remain hot long after the fire is out, and footing can be unstable if roots have burned out underground. Hot spots still exist within the fire perimeter.  

The revised closure order and map will be posted on BLM.GOV: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions.  

For the latest road and weather condition updates, visit https://www.tripcheck.com/.  

-BLM- 

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. 

Evacuations Are Lifted For Rum Creek Fire Area 
 
MERLIN, Ore. – The Rum Creek fire remains 83 percent contained with no new growth for a week. Seasonal patterns of mild temperatures and high relative humidity are setting in for this area, lowering risk for future flare-ups within the fire perimeter.  Suppression repair utilizing large, mechanized equipment and hand crews will continue throughout the Rum Creek Fire. Most repair work, including road blading, grading of roads, and contingency lines, is expected to be completed by Sunday or Monday. Some of the steeper dozer lines, including on the south side of the fire, will take a little longer to stabilize. For the safety of both residents and firefighters, please practice situational awareness and patience while accessing roads and recreation sites within fire-impacted areas.  
 
Evacuations:
As of today, there are no active evacuations in Josephine County.  Josephine County Sheriff's Office has canceled the wildfire Level 2 Evacuation alert for: North of Indian Mary Park, Stratton Creek Road, and West Pickett Road; South of Lower Grave Creek Road; East of the Rogue River; West of Hog Creek Road and Hog Creek.  Local road closures and access restrictions are still in effect. Closures reassessed daily. Visit Rum Creek Fire | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rumcreekfire2022 or call 541-625-0849 for updates.
 
Road Openings:
Three roads open today, however, heavy equipment remains in the area and firefighters are still actively working within the perimeter. Please stay alert and use caution. Reopened roads are:
• Lower Graves Creek Road 
• Stratton Creek Road
• Galice Road north to Almeda
 
Road Checkpoints:
Josephine County Sheriff’s Office has established traffic access points around the fire zone. Only residents (must show proof of residency) and permitted users will be allowed through. Road blocks are located at:
• Galice Rd north of Almeda; 
• Peavine East Road at Bear Camp Road; 
• Peavine West Road at Upper Bear Camp Road; 
• Quartz Creek Road about 3 miles up (end of County maintenance); 
• Hog Creek Road at Galice Road; 
• Galice Road at the bridge by Grave Creek Boat Ramp. 
 
Recreation Area Openings:
 • Almeda Park
• Smullin Visitor Center
• Additional recreation sites are being assessed.

Please follow closures and call BLM at 541-471-6500 for additional information.
 
River status: 
The recreation section of the Rogue River is now open to boating down to Almeda County Park. The Rand Boat Ramp is closed. Day users are recommended to take out at Almeda. The Wild section of the Rogue River below Grave Creek will remain open unless fire conditions warrant closure. Please call 541-471-6535 for more information.

As of Friday, September 16, 2022 the final-remaining "Level 2" evacuations were lifted for residents in Josephine County:

• North of Indian Mary Park,
• Stratton Creek Road and West Pickett Road;
• South of Lower Grave Creek Road;
• East of the Rogue River;
• West of Hog Creek Road and Hog Creek. 

On Tuesday evening at 6 p.m., Nevada Team 2 will transition command of the Four Corners Fire to a Payette National Forest Type 4 Incident Commander. This will be the last daily update for the Four Corners Fire.

Nearly all the suppression repair work has been completed by firefighting crews and contractors over the last week. This includes repair to dozer and hand lines and backhauling of hoses and related equipment. The Incident Command Post, located at the southern end Lake Cascade, has already begun dismantling the fire camp. Logistics staff have ordered contractors to remove tents, and electrical and communications infrastructure. Food, fuel and hygiene support contractors will be discharged over the next few days.

Type 4 Incident Commander will deploy a Type 1 hand crew and two engines. They will monitor and patrol the last 4% of containment line in the Willow Creek drainage as well as the fire perimeter. Type 4 Incident Commander will likely remain in place until a true season ending event.

A warming trend is expected to deliver above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation for the early in the week. Temperatures will reach into the mid to high 70’s with relative humidity decreasing to single digits. Daily temperatures will drop into the 60s late in the week. Winds are expected to be light and variable all week.

Nevada Team 2 wants to thank all of our partners and associated agency representatives for their support and counsel during the fire’s duration. These include: the Payette National Forest, Valley, Gem and Adams counties, and Idaho Department of Lands. Special thanks goes to the communities of God’s Acres, French Creek and Campbell Creek as well as the residents of Cascade, Donnelly, McCall and surrounding areas for their generous support they have given to Nevada Team 2 and all personnel involved in the Four Corners Fire.

Closure Information: On Sept. 15, the closure perimeter was reduced to allow more access to areas in and around the fire. See map and description at https://InciWeb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/8331/.

 Warmer, drier weather today may increase smoldering and smokes in the interior.

Progress on dozer line and hand line repairs are nearly complete showing 82% and 92% respectively. 

Following the Forest Repair Plan, firefighters will continue to work with the resource advisors to rehab and identify upcoming suppression repair needs.