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An inversion layer that has trapped smoke in the valley over the past few days has aided firefighters as they create backburns to forge containment lines on both the Taylor Creek and Klondike fires. But all that intentional burning has helped funnel more smoke into the Medford area, lowering air quality to unhealthy levels. “Conditions are quite favorable with the inversion for strategic firing,” said Jennifer Berger, public information officer for Pacific Northwest Team 2. “But it adds to the smoke when you have that lid.” NASA satellite maps show much of the smoke pouring into the Medford area comes from the Klondike and Taylor Creek fires. The entire east flank of the Taylor Creek fire where it backs up to the Rogue River near Merlin has been mostly contained, posing less of a threat to structures. National Guard troops are now helping with mop-up operations. On the northern edge of the Taylor Creek fire near Galice, burning operations have deepened containment lines. On the Klondike fire, which is now being managed by the same team as the Taylor Creek fire, crews have backburned along the eastern edge to strengthen the line near Wonder, Wilderville and Bear Camp Road. “That’s where they have lit fires to take away the fine fuel,” Berger said. The distance between the two fires is 6 miles at the closest point. On Tuesday, Pacific Northwest Team 2 and the Oregon State Fire Marshal Red Team assumed command of both the Taylor Creek and Klondike fires. Berger said running the fires under the same command should increase efficiency and safety, along with improving mapping, operations and information. The smoke pouring into the Rogue Valley from these fires could last into late September and October if we don’t get rains over the next two months. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Wednesday and Thursday, when temperatures are again expected to hit 100. According to the Northwest Team, the 41,103-acre Taylor fire’s expected date of containment is Sept. 19, and the estimated containment date for the 30,873-acre Klondike fire is Oct. 31. The Klondike fire, which is 15 percent contained, is burning 9 miles northwest of Selma and about 25 miles west of Medford. The Taylor Creek fire, which is 38 percent contained, is burning 10 miles west of Grants Pass and threatens 1,501 residences. Lines are being reinforced to the west of Highway 99 near Selma that could contain both the Taylor Creek and Klondike fires from moving to the east, though episodes of high winds could cause either fire to jump lines. The inversion layer, while helping crews on the ground, has hampered aviation efforts, with visibility too poor for many aerial drops. However, the increasing use of drones has helped fire crews find hot spots even during days of poor visibility. Over the past few days, the Taylor Creek and Klondike fires have been connected by a control line to the west of Highway 99, resembling an umbilical cord following Forest Road 25. Joel Brumm, public information officer with the Joint Information Center, said the line, created by backburning, will create a dead zone that aims to stop either the Taylor Creek or Klondike fire from marching to the east in the direction of Selma or Wilderville. “We’ve been working on that umbilical cord for the past two days,” he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on www.twitter.com/reporterdm .