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SUNNY Temp: 86 °F Wind: WNW at 9 mph Thursday, July 24, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 9, 2003 Crews link lines around fire Powell Creek blazenot yet containedas of Tuesday night Firefighters wrapped a line around the Powell Creek fire near Williams early Tuesday morning, but by evening still hadn’t declared the 450-acre blaze contained. Crews labored through the night to take advantage of decreased winds and high nighttime humidity, Oregon Department of Forestry fire-prevention specialist Dennis Turco said. Lines around the fire were linked at 5:20 a.m. Tuesday. The fireline was strongest where the blaze had approached homes Monday. The wildfire threatened dozens of homes and prompted officials to ask people to evacuate residences along Upper Powell Creek Road and Dreamhill Drive Monday evening, he said. About 350 firefighters reinforced firelines Tuesday. Four water-dropping helicopters worked relentlessly to knock out flare-ups along the lines and support the work of ground crews, Turco said. The fire burned in heavy timber on U.S. Bureau of Land Management land where progress was difficult, he said. Advertisement The wildfire, discovered about 4 p.m. Monday, spread quickly as it was fanned by winds gusting to 40 mph. It threatened homes, but so far hasn’t burned any buildings. People advised to evacuate got the OK to return home at 9:30 p.m. Monday. The Red Cross operated a shelter at the Williams Grange. Upper Powell Creek Road, Dreamhill Drive, and Pine Tree Drive were closed by the fire and have reopened to residents only, the forestry department said. Initial reports placed the likely source of the fire in a brushy area near the intersection of Powell Creek Road and Dreamhill Drive. Investigators continue to seek the fire’s cause. 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 © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times