Firefighters are making good progress protecting homes, other buildings, and establishing control lines to contain the Rum Creek Fire’s spread.
Crews are constructing a series of direct and indirect control lines on the west side of the fire. Firefighters are also building a primary containment line to protect the community of Galice.
To the east and south of the fire, the crews are using heavy equipment and hand crews to build a series of containment lines using roads and ridges. On the west flank, crews are reopening a containment line down to the river used to suppress the Big Windy Fire.
The Rum Creek Fire fire continues to flank east and west below Grave Creek. Crews are using a combination of direct (close to the fire’s edge) and indirect (further from the fire’s edge) to connect a series of control lines between Stratton Creek and Grave Creek Road.
Homeowners on and near Galice Road can expect to see structure fire crews and engines near their homes. Crews are preparing homes in case the fire threatens structures. They are installing sprinkler kits, using hand tools to remove vegetation, and other measures to better protect homes and outbuildings.
Additional structural firefighters arrived Sunday, increasing the total number of Office of State Fire Marshal task force numbers to 135 firefighters. Four strike teams from California were ordered through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).
The fire has not crossed the Rogue River to the north below Grave Creek. The fire continues to burn to the east and west along the south shore below Grave Creek and to the south and east of the Rogue River.
A shift in weather today will likely cause heavy smoke across Josephine County, which will impact air quality, but also have a slight cooling effect on the fire.
Evacuations: Sunday evening, Josephine County Sheriff’s Office issued additional Level 2 – Be Set and Level 1 – Be Ready evacuation notifications in and around Merlin. An interactive map showing evacuation levels according to address can be found at https://tinyurl.com/JOCOEvacMap.
For current evacuation information and resources, go to facebook.com/josephinecountyEM or Josephine County Incident Information (rvem.org)
River Status: The Rogue River is closed to boating from Hog Creek through the wild section today. A temporary process to allow existing permit holders to access the river when conditions allow. For details, visit blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/rogue/rogue_river.php No new boating permits will be issued until fire closures are lifted.
Closures: The Bureau of Land Management Grants Pass Field Office 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. Bear Camp Road is open. The full closure order and a map can be viewed at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8348/.
