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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 Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... CONTINUING COVERAGE: WILDFIRES 9:30 p.m. update: 17,500-acre Stouts fire racks up $4.4 million cost Air quality improving across the region Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 5, 2015 at 10:16 AM Updated Aug 5, 2015 at 9:25 PM Stouts Fire crew members put this video together and shared it on their Facebook page. It provides a glimpse of the front lines. By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 5, 2015 at 10:16 AM Updated Aug 5, 2015 at 9:25 PM » Social News The Stouts fire that roared to life a week ago and sent a plume of smoke into the sky that was visible from Medford and Eugene has cost $4.4 million to fight so far, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized federal funds to reimburse 75 percent of the costs " for firefighting and life-saving efforts ," according to a FEMA news release. Crews continue to plug away at the blaze, which has reached 17,500 acres in Douglas County about 16 miles east of Canyonville. By Wednesday , the fire was 15 percent contained. The estimated size of the fire didn't change much from Tuesday's estimate because crews were not able to conduct an infrared flight overnight Tuesday. A revised number was unavailable this evening. Crews estimate full containment is about two weeks away, with Aug. 18 as the target date. "The weather has helped us," fire spokesman Mark Wilkening said. "Not such hot temperatures, though we're still concerned about some of the winds, especially on those slopes." Crews will continue to build firelines and will likely perform some burnout operations during the cooler evening hours. "They're making some really good progress," Wilkening said. Helicopters will be seen much of the day over the Stouts fire because the smoke has decreased, allowing the aircraft to fly earlier than normal, according to fire officials. Seven helicopters are assigned to the fire, and another helicopter is on standby to respond to medical emergencies. Air tankers are available on an as-needed basis. The Stouts fire is burning on private timberlands, other tracts of private land, BLM lands and Umpqua National Forest lands. FEMA will help pay firefighting costs on non-federal lands. The nearby Cable Crossing Fire — about six miles east of Glide in Douglas County — had burned about 1,800 acres and was 40 percent contained Wednesday evening. It has an estimated full containment date of Aug. 12, and has cost $3.2 million to fight so far, ODF reported. Oregon Department of Environmental Quality data shows Shady Cove and Medford continue to receive the brunt of the smoke over the 24-hour period ending at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Shady Cove's air quality was listed as "unhealthy" for the timeframe while Medford had improved to "moderate." By late afternoon Wednesday, Shady Cove's air quality had improved to "unhealthy for sensitive groups" and Medford's was listed as "good." Air quality in Cave Junction and Grants Pass improved to "good" for the 24-hour period. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 5, 2015 at 10:16 AM Updated Aug 5, 2015 at 9:25 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... 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