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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW SOU's Academia Latina program helps incoming high schoolers learning to lead ... Ashland Calendar, Saturday, Aug. 8 ... Herb Rothschild Jr.: Affirmative actions ... SOU's Academia Latina program helps incoming high schoolers learning to lead ... Ashland Calendar, Saturday, Aug. 8 ... Herb Rothschild Jr.: Affirmative actions ... WILDFIRE Burnout operations at Buckskin fire could send smoke into Rogue Valley Additional smoke expected over next several days Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune DailyTidings.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 18, 2015 at 8:56 AM Updated Jun 18, 2015 at 9:54 AM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 18, 2015 at 8:56 AM Updated Jun 18, 2015 at 9:54 AM » Social News Fire crews have completed key containment lines along the eastern and southern flanks of the Buckskin fire , burning about 10 miles outside Cave Junction, and they say the 2,476-acre fire is now 5 percent contained. The interagency fire team battling the blaze, which is burning in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest on the edge of the Kalmiopsis Wildreness Area, said a burnout operation will begin today, weather permitting. The burnout, which includes burning untouched fuels between the containment line and the fire's main body, should take several days.  Because of that, firefighters said to expect increased smoke in the air.  "Communities in the Illinois and Rogue valleys may continue to be impacted by smoke to varying degrees due to shifting winds, which are expected to persist for the next several days," an interagency news release said. "Those with sensitivity to smoke should be aware and take appropriate actions." Firefighters will use drip torches and burn the terrain downslope toward the main fire to create a safety buffer. After that is finished, a helicopter will ignite additional burnouts using a drip torch attached to it, burning any remaining interior fuels.  "Aided by helicopter water drops, firefighters will continue working to contain the remaining spot fires in the southwest portion of the main fire," the release said, adding a contingency line has been built on the western flank in case the flames start traveling that direction. Crews have spent the last several days preparing the lines and spent part of Wednesday pretreating the burnout areas with retardant drops from airplanes.  A June 11 lightning strike started the fire, which quickly grew to 2,000 acres but then slowed because of a rise in humidity and cooler temperatures from marine air. Flames have since crept into burn-scarred areas left over from the 2002 Biscuit fire that burned half a million acres over a six-month period.  There are currently 557 personnel fighting the fire, including 13 hand crews, seven dozers, five engines, 13 water tenders and 11 helicopters. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune DailyTidings.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 18, 2015 at 8:56 AM Updated Jun 18, 2015 at 9:54 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501