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SUNNY Temp: 84 °F Wind: N at 3 mph Friday, August 2, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Cyberchef E The People Golf Job Network Headbone Zone Wellness Connection Movie Times Newspaper in Education Oregon CarZone Outdoor Journal Personals Prime Times Real Estate Tempo A & E TV Times W3 Magazine CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Destinations Automotive Communities Employment Entertainment Publications Real Estate Recreation Shopping Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Jobs @ Mail Tribune Email Story to a Friend July 21, 2002 Wall Creek fire blazes on, for now Fire officials push full containment date from today to Monday There’s no threat to homes, but one of the county’s largest wildfires still was posing a few problems Saturday. Related stories: � Thinking thin to reduce danger from wildfire . � For columnist Paul Fattig, who has a cabin on Sterling Creek Road, wildfire coverage became personal tihs week . Fire officials pushed back the date for full containment on the Wall Creek fire. Firefighters expect to declare the blaze fully contained by 7 p.m. on Monday. Containment had been projected for today. Wall Creek’s tough terrain and sheer cliffs challenged firefighters, said Dave Wells, a fire information officer for the Oregon Department of Forestry. Wind has fanned embers to life around the main blaze, Wells said. Although enclosed in the fire line’s perimeter, these "smokes" could threaten containment lines on the roughly 300-acre blaze, he added. An infrared camera was used to detect lingering flames where the Squire fire blackened approximately 2,800 acres near Ruch, Wells said. Similar to night-vision goggles, the apparatus allows firefighters to see heat radiating from stumps or brush piles that they may not be able to sense by touching the ground or smelling smoke, Wells said. Even with the county’s wildfires under control, Rogue Valley residents can expect to look up at a smoky haze until marine winds blow through the area. Because the valley floor cools at night, the smoky air gets trapped near the surface, said Jay Stockton, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Medford office. "It’s waiting for something to come along and flush it out," Stockton said. The following is a list of fires in the region: Jackson County Squire fire 2,804 acres, two miles southeast of Ruch. Evacuation order and roads blocks lifted. Red Cross shelter closed. Five outbuildings with a total estimated value of $44,000 burned. Eighteen engines, 318 firefighters, five bulldozers, five water tenders. Estimated 95 percent contained. Full containment expected today, 7 p.m. Wall Creek fire 321 acres, eight miles north of Trail. No homes threatened. Ten engines 297 firefighters, nine bulldozers, six water-hauling trucks. Estimated 90 percent contained. Full containment expected Monday, 7 p.m. Lost Lake fire 224 acres, eight miles southeast of Lake Creek. No structures threatened. Seven engines, 116 firefighters, two bulldozers, five water-hauling trucks. Estimated 95 percent contained. Full containment expected today, 7 p.m. Neil Rock fire 198 acres near Sams Valley. No structures threatened. Staffing and equipment details unavailable. Secured with fire lines. Sweet Meadows fire 57 acres east of Meadows Road, Sams Valley. No structures threatened. Staffing and equipment details unavailable. Secured with fire lines. Horse Mountain fire 54 acres, eight miles north of Ramsey Canyon. No structures threatened. Staffing and equipment details unavailable. Secured with fire lines. Mud Creek fire 50 acres, nine miles southeast of Lake Creek. No structures threatened. Staffing and equipment details unavailable. Secured with fire lines. Berry Rock fire 34 acres near Elk Creek Dam. No structures threatened. Staffing and equipment details unavailable. Secured with fire lines. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy web master feedback A D V E R T I S E R S