Document text
Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 5, 2005 A helicopter is used to make a water drop on a fire near the right fork of Sardine Creek Road near Gold Hill Thursday. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Crews put the blitz on Gold Hill brush fire By CHRIS CONRAD Mail Tribune Fire crews Thursday worked aggressively to deliver a knock-out punch to a 41-acre blaze in an area notorious for suspicious fires about five miles north of Gold Hill. The Right Sardine fire near Right Fork Sardine Creek Road burned entirely on private forestland protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Medford Unit. The fire was reported just after 9:11 p.m. Wednesday and no buildings were immediately threatened, ODF spokesman Brian Ballou said. "The nearest home is about one-third of a mile away. They are not in any jeopardy right there," Ballou said. The area has seen a number of fires over the years. "There’s a history of fires being caused by people up there," Ballou said. "It’s been a hot spot for fires as long as I can recall." Advertisement Ballou plans to ask veteran firefighters if they’ve noticed any unusual patterns in fires that have plagued the area. Nine 20-person fire crews and six engines were dispatched to the fire. Crews working on the Wasson fire mop-up on Highway 140 were called in as reinforcements, Ballou said. Air tankers dropped fire retardant to help secure firelines. Three heavy helicopters buzzed above the area, dumping water on hot spots, Ballou said. Despite 100-degree heat, the fire spread slowly. The goal was to hit the blaze hard on a day when there was little wind, before it could spread to heavier forested areas nearby. Crews were able to track burning embers that drifted from high ledges and extinguish them before they ignited dry brush, Ballou said. Flames crawled up steep ridges, making it difficult for crews to flank the blaze with hoses. "Right now I would describe it as a heavy-duty brush fire, not a forest fire," Ballou said. "It has burned some trees, but it looks like some thinning has been done up there. The area isn’t as choked with trees and brush as some areas. That’s why it hasn’t spread so quickly." Fire crews were able to use existing roads to establish fire lines. Three bulldozers were used to cut additional fire breaks in an attempt to contain the blaze. By Thursday evening crews were able to place fire lines around 80 percent of the blaze’s perimeter, Ballou said. ODF crews hope to have the fire contained by this morning. He described the situation as "stable" Thursday evening. Ballou acknowledged that it is uncommon for a fire to start so late at night, but he has seen it happen. "Most fires occur during the day, but it’s not like it never happens," he said. Oregon State Police fire investigators are investigating the fire’s source. "They are out there going over every square inch of the area," Ballou said. "They’re looking for anything unusual about this fire." Reach reporting intern Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail Crews put the blitz on Gold Hill brush fire ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Advertisement s