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2 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 Since You Asked: Dock will return to Lost Creek Lake ramp ... Governor Kate Brown reflects on 'unexpected' first year, future agenda ... Chetco ocean 'bubble' fisheries could be halved ... Since You Asked: Dock will return to Lost Creek Lake ramp ... Governor Kate Brown reflects on 'unexpected' first year, future agenda ... Chetco ocean 'bubble' fisheries could be halved ... WILDFIRE RESPONSE Blazes ignite at logging operations; OSP troopers called in Wolf Creek fire chief says property owner will be billed Comment By Shaun Hall and Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Shaun Hall and Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Apr. 8, 2016 at 3:07 PM By Shaun Hall and Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Apr. 8, 2016 at 3:07 PM » Social News Two wildfires broke out Thursday at logging operations in Josephine and Jackson counties, including a 15-acre blaze near Wolf Creek and a 7-acre fire near Shady Cove. The Wolf Creek fire drew the ire of Chief Steve Scruggs of the Wolf Creek Rural Fire Protection District, who said a property owner was burning a too-big pile of slash and didn't have proper tools or water on hand to deal with spreading flames. "This was no little 6-foot-by-6-foot pile," Scruggs said Friday morning after his crews had dealt with the fire and its aftermath until about 3:30 a.m. "This pile was huge, way beyond what you're supposed to have." The property owner will be sent a bill to cover the cost of firefighting, the chief said. The fire was reported at 8:11 p.m. Thursday at 92 Lower Wolf Creek Road. Because the property owner previously had said he didn't want firefighters on his land, Oregon State Police troopers were summoned. "A lot of people don't like the fire department," Scruggs said. "He didn't want us on his property. They sent three troopers, then we went in and started firefighting operations. So, there was a delay." The only crews on scene were from Scruggs' department. In all, two engines, a water tender, an off-road fire personnel transport vehicle and the chief's rig went there, along with eight firefighters. The terrain was steep, and huge potholes hampered vehicle access, Scruggs said. Oregon State Forestry Department help was summoned, but ODF crews were busy in Jackson County. The fire near Shady Cove started Thursday afternoon at an active logging operation about 10 miles northwest of that city, on Horse Mountain. The 7-acre fire was eventually lined and contained. It burned on private industrial forest land in steep terrain, according to Brian Ballou of the ODF. The cause of the blaze is under investigation. The fire burned in logging slash, downhill from bucked and felled timber. About 35 firefighters hiked downhill on the northeast side of the mountain to put out flames. "It was a little odd it was able to burn like it did for this time of year and at that elevation," Ballou said. Reach reporter Shaun Hall at 541-474-3722 or [email protected]; reach reporter Jeff Duewel at 541-474-3720 or [email protected] By Shaun Hall and Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Shaun Hall and Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Apr. 8, 2016 at 3:07 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 2016 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