Roca Canyon Fire: The Oregon Department of Forestry assisted Ashland Fire and Rescue late this afternoon and into this evening (August 24) on an urban interface fire burning near Ashland that ultimately destroyed 11 homes and damaged 2 others. There have been no reports so far of any injuries. ODF resources on the fire included two helicopters from the Medford Tanker Base, numerous engines, and a dozer. The Rogue Valley Structural Fire Department also assisted on the fire.
The fire started at approximately 4:45 p.m. today in a grassy field on the west side of I-5 near a freeway interchange for South Ashland. Winds at that time were gusty and the fire jumped the freeway, crossing over to the east side, where it then burned in scrub and oak up a hill, and into the residential area. As of about 8:30 p.m., ODF resources were being released and the fire remains in the primary jurisdiction of Ashland Fire and Rescue.
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Jeri Chase
Oregon Department of Forestry
PH: 503-945-7201
Fire Duty Officer Pager #503-370-0403