UPDATED: Fire north of Grants Pass draws multiple agencies

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2018-09-04

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Fire crews from multiple counties responded to a blaze that ignited near Hugo north of Grants Pass Sunday night around 7:15 p.m. By midnight, according to a release from the Oregon Department of Forestry, the fire had reached 150 acres. Multiple agencies from Jackson and Josephine counties are battling the flames; before darkness fell, crews used aerial resources, and then relied exclusively on on-the-ground tactics. Multiple structures were still threatened by the fire, which was initially reported burning near the 7200 block of Hugo Road and Trevor Way. Law enforcement and citizen alerts notified those who were marked in a Level 3 "Go" evacuation, while others in Levels 1 and 2 zones were to be notified later, said Melissa Cano, ODF Southwest District Public Information Officer, via a release around midnight. Those who were evacuated from Hugo and Oxyoke Roads were advised by the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety to go to Ray's Food Place at 3500 Merlin Road for shelter information. ODF later reported that a shelter is established at the Josephine County Fairgrounds. Those needing assistance can call Southern Oregon Emergency Aid at 541-226-1124. Five dozers, six hand crews, 10 engines and multiple water tenders were fighting the fire, hoping to have it lined by morning. Crews were facing extreme fire behavior, wind gusts, steep terrain, and dry fuels, Cano said. In addition, 19 engines were working on protecting and defending homes. Pacific Power reported 347 customers experiencing a power outage by 11:30 p.m. Sunday, according to its website. Larry Graves, director of Josephine County Airports, said that winds were blowing the flames "straight at the (Grants Pass) airport." The Oregon Department of Forestry was battling the fire, he said, and staff would be monitoring its activity throughout the night. Fire Chief Brian Fish, of Medford Fire-Rescue, said that a joint task force left Jackson County around 8:20, including personnel from Medford Fire-Rescue, Jackson Fire District 3 and Fire District 4 and Ashland Fire & Rescue. ODF's release later said that personnel across the multiple agencies includes five dozers, six hand crews, 10 engines and multiple water tenders. Additionally, 19 engines are working specifically to protect threatened homes in the area, the ODF release said. "Crews are facing extreme fire behavior, wind gusts, steep terrain, and dry fuels throughout the entire area of the fire," the release said. Drivers on Interstate 5 stopped to capture videos and photos of the fire from the time it started. Fire crews reported multiple downed power lines as they battled the flames late Sunday night, but the cause of the fire remained unconfirmed early Monday morning.