Garner Complex fires near 20,000 acres

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2018-07-25

Document text

The Garner Complex fires have grown to nearly 20,000 acres as of Wednesday morning, according to a release from the Oregon Department of Forestry. Continuing to rage through Josephine and Jackson counties, the fires have reached 19,944 acres and are 18 percent contained, according to the update. The fire complex was declared a conflagration by Gov. Kate Brown. The complex includes Taylor Creek, Grave and Ditch Creek, Pleasant Creek, Spencer Creek and King Mountain. The total 19,944 acres are broken down to 11,831 acres at Taylor Creek; 7,047 acres at Grave and Ditch Creek; 832 acres at Pleasant Creek; 228 acres at Spencer Creek; and 6 acres at King Mountain. The Grave Creek and Pleasant Creek fires are near Wimer, the Taylor Creek fire near Merlin, and the Spencer Creek fires south of Grants Pass, near Cave Junction. Current resources on the fire include 2,432 personnel, 27 aircraft, 112 engines, 35 bulldozers and 47 water tenders, according to the release. Burnout operations — strategically setting fire inside a control line to consume fuel between the edge of the fire and the control line — were conducted on the Taylor Creek fire Tuesday night. People will continue to see fire and smoke Wednesday as burnout operations will be conducted on the south and east sides of the Taylor Creek fire and the south side of the Grave Creek fire. Another update is expected this afternoon.