Firefighters Attack the 300-Acre Woodrat Mountain Fire Near Ruch

Key Takeaways

• The Woodrat Mountain Fire is at about 300 acres with no containment as of Thursday night.
• Jackson County Sheriff's Office issued Level 3 “GO NOW” notices for zones JAC-436 and JAC-428-A.
• Six 20-person hand crews, four dozers, six water tenders and aviation resources are assigned.
• A Temporary Flight Restriction is in effect over the fire area.
• Jacksonville Elementary School is sheltering people and pets; Jackson County Expo is sheltering livestock.

Introduction

Fire crews in southwestern Oregon are spending the night building lines around the Woodrat Mountain Fire near Ruch. The fire started around 12:45 pm Thursday and grew to about 300 acres by Thursday evening, prompting Jackson County evacuation notices.

Overnight Firefight and Evacuations

The Oregon Department of Forestry's Southwest Oregon District said crews will continue suppression efforts overnight Thursday to limit movement toward Sterling Creek Road. Fire behavior is expected to be moderate because of cooler temperatures and higher humidity. Firefighters have lined about 50% of the fire and are working to strengthen control lines, even though containment remains at 0%.

Evacuation notices are expected to stay in place overnight:

• Level 3 “GO NOW”: zones JAC-436 and JAC-428-A
• Level 2 “BE READY”: zone JAC-428-B
• Level 1 “BE SET”: zones JAC-421, JAC-422, JAC-423, JAC-427, JAC-429, JAC-434, JAC-437 and JAC-438

Check with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office for zone information and stay ready to leave if directed.

Local California Context

Californians should watch this fire closely. Southern Oregon often experiences the same hot, dry summer patterns as Northern California. If you plan to travel to the Rogue Valley, monitor evacuation levels and avoid flying drones near any wildfire, because drones can ground firefighting aircraft.

Background

The Rogue Valley is no stranger to summer wildfires. Fast-moving grass and brush fires are common during triple-digit heat. The Woodrat Mountain Fire is another example of how quickly a blaze can force evacuations in rural communities near Jacksonville.

Conclusion

Crews have a better chance of strengthening the perimeter Friday as overnight humidity helps moderate fire behavior. Residents in the warning area should stay ready to leave, keep pets and documents close, and follow updates from ODF and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.

Sources and Materials

• kobi5
• accounts