Firefighters battling the Woodrat Mountain Fire south of Jacksonville reached a significant operational milestone overnight, completing fire line around the entire perimeter as crews work to strengthen containment ahead of another period of critical fire weather in Southern Oregon.
More accurate infrared mapping conducted by an unmanned aircraft system has placed the fire at 282 acres. Earlier estimates had put the incident at approximately 300 acres, but fire officials said the reduction reflects improved mapping rather than an actual decrease in the amount of ground burned.
Crews worked through the night to establish line around 100 percent of the fire perimeter despite poor overnight humidity recovery, which can limit the amount of moisture vegetation absorbs during the cooler nighttime hours. Bulldozers constructed much of the perimeter line, while hand crews worked through steep and heavily timbered sections where machinery could not safely operate.
Approximately 60 percent of the perimeter has also been equipped with hose, giving firefighters direct water access along much of the fire’s edge. Crews are continuing to extend hose around the incident while strengthening existing lines, searching for remaining heat and extinguishing hot spots that could threaten control efforts.
Firefighters assigned to the night shift searched areas east of the established perimeter after receiving information about possible hot spots outside the fire line. Crews systematically checked those locations overnight but did not locate additional heat requiring suppression. Additional searches are continuing Friday as firefighters work to verify that no fire has become established beyond the perimeter.
The eastern portion of the fire remains particularly challenging because of steep terrain, thick vegetation and hazardous trees. Firefighters must continue working carefully through those areas even though a line now surrounds the entire incident. Establishing perimeter line represents an important step in controlling a wildfire, but substantial work remains before the fire can be considered fully secured.
A large ground force remains assigned to the incident. The southern portion of the fire is being worked by four 20-person hand crews, three engines, two water tenders, two bulldozers and a specialized tree-falling module. The northern side has four additional 20-person crews, four engines, two water tenders, two bulldozers and another falling module.
The eastern side has received an especially heavy concentration of personnel and equipment because of difficult terrain and vegetation. Four 20-person hand crews, five engines, two water tenders, two bulldozers and two falling modules are assigned to that portion of the fire.
A substantial aviation operation also remains available Friday. Four Type 1 helicopters, three Type 2 helicopters and two Type 3 helicopters can conduct water drops when needed. Air tankers are available for retardant operations, while an Air Attack aircraft is coordinating firefighting aviation over the incident.
Firefighters are facing another day of potentially critical fire weather, increasing the importance of reinforcing the perimeter while conditions remain favorable enough for crews to work directly along the fire’s edge. Resources assigned to Woodrat Mountain must also remain prepared for the possibility of new fire starts elsewhere in the district as hot, dry conditions continue across Southern Oregon.
Evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect for areas threatened by the fire. Jackson County emergency officials have established Level 3 GO NOW, Level 2 BE SET and Level 1 BE READY evacuation zones depending on location and proximity to the incident.
An evacuation shelter capable of accommodating people and pets is operating at Jacksonville Elementary School, 655 Hueners Lane in Jacksonville. Residents requiring additional medical or sheltering assistance can contact emergency officials at 541-776-7206. Livestock evacuations are being accommodated at the Jackson County Expo, 21 Peninger Road in Central Point, with livestock assistance available at 541-864-0546.
The Woodrat Mountain Fire began shortly before 12:45 p.m. Thursday, August 6, after firefighters were dispatched to a vehicle fire that had spread into surrounding vegetation on Bureau of Land Management property along Woodrat Mountain Road near Ruch.
Firefighters from the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District, Jacksonville Fire Department and Applegate Valley Fire District launched the initial response as the fire moved from the vehicle into wildland vegetation. Additional ground crews and aircraft were ordered as conditions allowed the fire to expand rapidly across Woodrat Mountain.
The response grew into a regional firefighting effort involving personnel and equipment from agencies throughout the Rogue Valley and surrounding communities. Resources were provided by Applegate Valley Fire District, Jacksonville Fire Department, Jackson County Fire District 3, Medford Fire Department, Grants Pass Fire, Rural Metro Fire in Josephine County, Illinois Valley Fire District and the U.S. Forest Service Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.
A Temporary Flight Restriction remains in effect over the Woodrat Mountain Fire. Unauthorized drones are prohibited from operating near the incident because their presence can force helicopters and air tankers to suspend operations, potentially interrupting critical firefighting work.
The official cause of the Woodrat Mountain Fire remains under investigation. Although firefighters have now established line around the entire 282-acre perimeter, suppression efforts are continuing as crews reinforce those lines, expand hose coverage, remove hazards and search for remaining heat that could threaten the perimeter during Friday’s expected critical fire conditions.