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Gold Canyon fire human-caused; investigators search for suspects Friday Sep 2, 2016 at 10:45 AM Sep 2, 2016 at 10:45 AM Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune @RyanPfeil Oregon Department of Forestry officials said a fire that torched 61 acres outside Selma earlier this week was human caused, and they're looking for the culprit. ODF is still investigating how the Gold Canyon blaze sparked, but has ruled out natural causes. "It is still completely under investigation," said ODF public information officer Melissa Cano. "It's really preliminary results. The investigator has a few things in mind." Cano added it's not known whether the fire was set on purpose or ignited by accident. A fire investigator likely will have a cause in the next several days, she said. The fire began just before 5 p.m. Tuesday outside Selma off Highway 199 near Gold Canyon Drive. It expanded rapidly, prompting immediate evacuation of homes between Reeves Creek Road and Wildpark Lane. The American Red Cross set up a shelter for evacuees at the Rogue Community College gymnasium in Grants Pass. Highway 199 saw a temporary closure. One lane reopened later, with motorists being guided by an Oregon Department of Transportation pilot car. Crews were able to get a good jump on the blaze because they'd been there before. Two weeks prior, another human-caused fire in the area destroyed several structures. This time, there were no structures destroyed. "It could have really taken off," Cano said. "Perfect conditions and the winds were coming in pretty strong that day, and it was on very steep terrain. Very lucky we caught it, but very glad this muscle training works." A volley of air attacks on the fire also was key, with numerous drops from helicopters and air tankers hitting the flames. The damage on the fire was originally estimated at 120 acres, a number that was reduced almost by half following a perimeter walk by fire crews. As of Friday, the fire was 85 percent contained, with firefighters continuing mop-up work 500 to 600 feet inside the fire lines. Residents of Wildpark Lane and Reeves Creek Road are being told to be ready to evacuate as a precaution. Anyone with information on the fire's cause should contact ODF's Grants Pass unit office at 541-471-3883. Information received will be confidential, ODF officials said. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected]. Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil.