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A weekend inversion led to heavy smoke and a slowdown in the growth of the Klondike fire, burning in Josephine County. According to reports from fire officials, cooling weather and progress made by fire crews have “significant reduced” the threat to homes in the area. However, evacuation notices are still in effect: Level 3 (Go) is in place for Oak Flat, Old House and residents on the south side of the 33 road in Agness and Level 2 (Be set) notices still exist for Spud road, Agness residents north of the Rogue River and on the north side of the 33 Road from the Illinois River Bridge to Coon Rock Bridge. Firefighters set backfires Sunday to deepen containment lines in the Burnt Ridge area and may set more backfires today if conditions permit. The fire was listed at 174,175 acres, based on infrared readings on Saturday. With the threat to homes reduced, the last of the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s structure protection groups will be departing today. Local responders, working with personnel assigned directly to the fire, will take over structural protection and patrol. Although State Fire Marshal crews will be returning home, the number of personnel assigned to the fire has increased with the addition of more wildland firefighters. The gradual cooling and moistening trend that began Sunday is continuing today, with high temperatures expected to be in the upper 60s to near 70 degrees. The cooler temperatures, along with an increase in humidity, will help dampen fire growth. However, winds are expected to increase overnight as a cold front approaches the coast, with gusts up to 25 mph likely for the ridges. Meanwhile, fire officials also announced that the Miles fire, which burned 54,334 acres in southern Douglas County and northern Jackson County, has been declared as 100 percent contained.. Firefighters are continuing with safety measures and repair work within the fire area, and some roads continue to be closed. The release said nearly all personnel on the fire are removing danger trees along the perimeter of the fire and several internal roads or repairing bulldozer and hand lines used for suppressing the fire.