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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW One of Oregon's two health insurance co-ops says it will shut down ... Rogue Valley gubernatorial candidate blasts Gov. Brown on climate change ... Historical Society executive director stepping down ... One of Oregon's two health insurance co-ops says it will shut down ... Rogue Valley gubernatorial candidate blasts Gov. Brown on climate change ... Historical Society executive director stepping down ... CONTINUING COVERAGE: WILDFIRES Red Cross gives tools to Oregon families returning to burned homes Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Aug. 18, 2015 at 3:37 PM By The Associated Press Posted Aug. 18, 2015 at 3:37 PM » Social News PORTLAND — The Red Cross is handing out shovels, rakes and flashlights to people returning to homes burned by a wildfire south of John Day in Eastern Oregon. Lisa Stroup, executive director for the Red Cross in central and eastern Oregon, said Tuesday families need the tools to sift through what was left by the wind-driven fire. The Canyon Creek Complex of fires destroyed 26 homes and damaged 50 others when the wind started blowing at more than 40 mph Friday. It has burned through about 63 square miles, mostly on the Malheur National Forest, and was zero percent contained. Another 500 structures are threatened by the fire that is the No. 1 priority in Oregon for receiving resources when they become available. Crews from around the state have been brought in to protect homes. Power is out along a stretch of Highway 395 south of John Day. People have volunteered to help clean up burned over properties, and donated the use of backhoes to bury dead livestock, Stroup said. The Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, where much of the fire is burning, is closed. It is one of 12 major wildfires burning in Oregon. Smoke from wildfires made air quality moderate to unhealthy for special groups across most of the state, with the exception of Portland and the northern Willamette Valley. More than 550 firefighters were at the scene as of late Monday — a day when fire behavior was active but not extreme. Crews often dug lines by hand in areas too steep for bulldozers to climb, while helicopters doused hot spots from above. Elsewhere, the Kah-Nee-Ta Resort in Central Oregon reopened after a wildfire forced 400 guests to evacuate as a precaution last week. The fire that threatened the resort is now more than 30 percent contained. The Cornet-Windy Ridge fire near Baker City remains the state's largest wildfire. The blaze has scorched more than 150 square miles but is 35 percent contained. The north entrance to Crater Lake National Park remains closed, as does Highway 230, while firefighters struggle to contain the lighting-caused National Creek Complex of fires on the border between the park and the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Crews braced for westerly winds expected to spread the fire. The fires are 10 percent contained after burning through nearly 9 square miles of timber. Smoke from the fires is blowing into the park, and several hiking trails, including a stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail, are closed. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Aug. 18, 2015 at 3:37 PM » 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 MailTribune.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 Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked 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. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501