Firefighters are taking advantage of cooler, more humid weather to make progress in containing the Rum Creek Fire. In the last few days, containment has risen to 27 percent.
“Containment” is an expression of confidence that the control lines will hold given the expected fire behavior and weather.
Well-defined control lines encircle nearly the entire Rum Creek Fire. Natural fire spread or tactical firing operations burned the fuels adjacent to these lines. Crews are mopping up burned areas near the fire’s edges, searching for hidden pockets of heat that might flare up later, and allowing the fire to escape fire lines. These remaining hot spots must be extinguished to secure the fire edge.
Portions of the fire line will not be declared “contained” until fire managers agree that pieces of the fire perimeter are thoroughly cooled and will not escape. An increase in containment represents significant work: planning and preparing fire lines, deploying hose lays, tactical firings, monitoring for spot fires outside the lines, mopping up, and repeated checks with more mop-up as needed.
On Saturday, fire personnel continued tactical firing on the northwest side of the fire. However, firing operations were suspended when smoke was too thick for ignited fuels to burn well. Crews plan to complete firing operations today, connecting the line from Mount Peavine north to the Rogue River.
Tactical firing will continue on the northeast side of the fire, where the fire is slowly progressing through the McKnabe Creek drainage. To the north and south, crews continue to mop up areas near Grave Creek and Stratton Creek.
On Saturday, the OSFM began demobilizing task forces from the Rum Creek Fire. Two task forces were reassigned to the Double Creek Fire; others are returning to their home units. Other OSFM resources will remain on the Rum Creek Fire for the next three operational shifts. They continue to mop up remaining hot spots near structures, cutting hazard trees, and patrolling areas along Galice Road. Firefighters are working on structure assessment and pre-planning to the north and southeast of the fire.
On Saturday, the aircraft with Distributed Real-Time Infrared (DRTI) completed its last mapping flight for Rum Creek Fire. It was reassigned to a fire with a greater need for its capabilities. Other resources will be released as they are no longer needed, allowing them to go to other fires or home to prepare for their next assignments.
Evacuations: Existing evacuation orders and notifications remain in place. An interactive map showing evacuation levels according to to address, visit JosephineCounty.gov/FireMap. For current evacuation information and resources, visit Josephine County Incident Information.
Road control: Josephine County Sheriff’s Office established traffic access points around the fire zone. Roadblocks 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 three 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 roadblocks. Residents (must show proof of residency) and permitted users will be allowed through.
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.