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CLEVELAND RIDGE FIRE Cleveland Ridge fire hits 635 acres Fire lines hold on three flanks overnight Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Aug. 24, 2016 at 8:17 AM Updated Aug 24, 2016 at 10:51 AM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Aug. 24, 2016 at 8:17 AM Updated Aug 24, 2016 at 10:51 AM » Social News A wildfire burning about five miles north of Shady Cove pumped the brakes overnight, seeing new growth of only about 60 acres. Oregon Department of Forestry officials said the Cleveland Ridge fire, which is burning on a mix of private and Bureau of Land Management lands, had grown to about 635 acres by Wednesday morning. On Tuesday evening, ODF crews estimated the fire, which they now believe to be human-caused, was 575 acres. "We're seeing significant slowing," ODF spokesman Brian Ballou said. Despite that, the southeastern portion of the blaze had already crept close to about 40 homes, which are located about a mile away. Residents on Taylor and West Fork Trail Creek roads, and those along Highway 227 from about the 6400 block to the highway's junction with West Fork Trail Creek Road, were issued Level 2 (get set) evacuation notices Tuesday. A structural protection strike team made up of personnel from numerous fire districts in Jackson and Josephine counties remained in place overnight. The fire ignited Monday afternoon at the junction of West Fork Trail Creek and Romine roads. It grew fast, shooting down the northeast side of a ridge and reaching about 200 acres by Monday night. It had grown 375 more acres by Tuesday evening, largely due to a sizable forest area that contains steep bluffs and rugged terrain west of Cleveland Ridge. On Tuesday evening, the fire was considered about 80 percent lined. An estimate of when the fire might be contained has not been determined, but Ballou said an estimate might be issued later today. Fire lines on the east, west and south flanks held overnight. "The west and south flanks look really stable," Ballou said. "We're getting really good cooling at night." Most of the overnight fire growth occurred on the northern flank, which is proving to be a challenging spot for wildland crews. "It's in an area where we hadn't been able to get a fire line established," Ballou said, adding that bulldozer and hand crews continue to make progress. Rogue Valley residents can expect to see a smoky haze at the north end of Jackson County Wednesday. Oregon Department of Environmental Quality data showed a 24-hour average of "moderate" air quality in Shady Cove. Medford, Talent, Ashland and Applegate stations reported "good" levels for the same time period Wednesday morning. The National Weather Service is calling for high temperatures in the mid-90s today, with light, variable winds. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected]. Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Aug. 24, 2016 at 8:17 AM Updated Aug 24, 2016 at 10:51 AM » 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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