JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (July 13, 2025) — High temperatures remain in the forecast with an excessive heat warning through Tuesday. Unstable conditions are predicted for this afternoon, which brings heightened fire potential and higher risk for new starts across the region. Despite unfavorable weather conditions, firefighters continue to hold and strengthen fire lines.
An infrared (IR) flight took place last night showing minimal fire activity along fire perimeters and mapped hot spots for crews to focus on today. Crews will continue to use PALM IR, a handheld infrared monitoring system, for more precise monitoring of hot spots throughout the fire.
ODF Complex Incident Management Team 3 is in command of a group of lightning fires dubbed the Grizzly Complex that started on Monday, July 7. Southwest Oregon District continues suppression efforts on additional fires within the district. The Grizzly Complex resources remain available to respond to potential new fire starts within the complex area.
Level 2 – Be Set evacuation notices remain for zones JAC-542, JAC-543, JAC-546, JAC-558 and JAC-559. Zone JAC-536 remains at a Level 1 – Be Ready. More information on current evacuations can be found at: https://protect.genasys.com/. One lane of I-5 is closed to protect firefighters between mile markers 8.5 and 10.5 on southbound lanes only. Check tripcheck.com for up-to-date traffic information.
Aircraft continues to be used throughout the day. As a reminder, drone use around fires is illegal, and incredibly dangerous to pilots working on incidents; if you fly, we can’t. All illegal drone use will be reported to law enforcement.
Due to the large number of fires, updates on smaller incidents are not being provided at this time; if conditions change and there are any threats to homes, communities or roads, information will be provided as timely and accurately as possible.
Temperatures are expected to reach triple digits this weekend, which will naturally increase fire activity. While resources remain engaged on these lightning-caused incidents, communities can help to prevent new fires from starting by following all current fire regulations, found here: https://swofire.com/public-fire-restrictions/.
For fire local information anytime, visit the district’s Facebook page, @ODFSouthwest or website, www.swofire.com.
Current status of the fires under ODF CIMT3 Incident Management:
All Fires are 100% lined and in various stages of mop up. Crews are focusing on strengthening lines while removing snags and extinguishing hot spots along fire perimeters.
Incident Status Summary
Fire
Area in Acres
% Containment
Current Fire Status
Anderson Ridge
0.1
90
100% lined, in mop up
Ben Johnson Mnt
3.8
20
100% lined, in mop up
Benson Gulch
9.8
20
100% lined, in mop up
Boaz Gulch
0.1
90
100% lined, in mop up
Burnt Butte
0.6
90
100% lined, in mop up
Cedar Flat
6.3
20
100% lined, in mop up
Deming Gulch
258
5
100% lined, in mop up
Gouse Creek Rd
6.2
20
100% lined, in mop up
Hinkley Gulch Rd
0.5
90
100% lined, in mop up
Holcomb Peak
25.6
10
100% lined, in mop up
Jim Me Peak
139.3
5
100% lined, in mop up
Lick Creek
0.3
90
100% lined, in mop up
Lick Gulch
0.5
90
100% lined, in mop up
Munger
0.8
90
100% lined, in mop up
Niel Creek Rd
247.2
5
100% lined, in mop up
N Fork Deer Creek
27.4
10
100% lined, in mop up
Palmer Peak
76.6
5
100% lined, in mop up
Sulphur Spring
37.5
10
100% lined, in mop up
Tallowbox
1
90
100% lined, in mop up
Wagner Creek Rd MM4
0.1
90
100% lined, in mop up
Watergap Rd 16495
0.1
90
100% lined, in mop up
Waters Gulch
5.6
20
100% lined, in mop up
The following fires are managed by the ODF District:
BONANZA, Ore. – Fire behavior increased late Saturday afternoon with high temperatures, low relative humidity and variable winds impacting the fire area. Embers from burning fuels adjacent to the fireline spotted outside the control line in the southeastern area of the fire. Firefighters were able to stop these spot fires with minimal fire growth. Helicopters were used to drop water and cool the fire along the perimeter where unburned vegetation was burning, allowing firefighters to improve fireline in the area and extinguish burning material.
Fire crews expanded hose lays across the fire, increasing the available water for mop-up along the perimeter. Firefighters are mopping-up the area near the control line, extinguishing flames or heat to secure the perimeter. Hand-held infrared cameras and drones are being used to locate areas of heat near the fire’s edge and spot fires outside the fireline.
Reduced size of the fire reflects better mapping and intel gather of the fire perimeter. Today’s weather will continue to be hot and dry with the potential for isolated thunderstorms in the area.
Due to the increasing level of containment on the fire, lowering of level 3 evacuation levels and diminishing threat to homes, the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) will complete its last shift today. This will allow firefighters to head back to their local communities or be moved to emerging fires throughout the state. The firefighters and incident management team members of OSFM’s Red Team are grateful to the local community for their hospitality and support.
The Klamath County Sheriff has implemented evacuations around the fire. For the latest evacuation information, please visit: https://protect.genasys.com/search
JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (July 12, 2025)—Despite high temperatures and windy conditions, firefighters held the fires within their current footprints on all incidents across Jackson and Josephine counties. Crews strengthened lines around all fires and continued mop-up operations.
“We continue to see extreme heat and are facing critical fire weather,” said Justin Kelly, Bureau of Land Management Agency Administrator. “These weather conditions make fires easier to start and spread, so we’re asking the public to help us ensure that new fires don’t start—it’s the best way you can support firefighters.”
ODF Complex Incident Management Team 3 is in command of a group of lightning fires dubbed the Grizzly Complex that started on Monday, July 7. Southwest Oregon District continues suppression efforts on additional fires within the district. At this time, more than 1,600 personnel are assigned to the Grizzly Complex and are assisting with response to potential new fire starts within the complex area.
Today, the following fires remain the largest incidents under ODF CIMT3 Incident Management:
· The Neil Creek Road Fire – located west of I-5 mile marker 10 and south of Ashland, GPS mapped at 237 acres. Despite increased fire behavior, crews held fire lines with the help of helicopter water drops. Firefighters continue to strengthen lines and expand mop-up around the fire. Along the south end of the fire, crews removed hazardous standing dead trees to allow firefighters to access the southern perimeter safely. Level 2 – Be Set evacuation notices remain for zones JAC-542, JAC-543, JAC-546, JAC-558 and JAC-559. Zone JAC-536 remains at a Level 1 – Be Ready. More information on current evacuations can be found at: https://protect.genasys.com/. One lane of I-5 is closed to protect firefighters between mile markers 8.5 and 10.5 on southbound lanes only. Check tripcheck.com for up-to-date traffic information.
· The Deming Gulch Fire – located northeast of Buncom. Fire lines remain strong and the fire is currently estimated at 250 acres. Crews have completely lined the perimeter of the fire and are continuing to expand mop-up. There are currently no evacuation notices.
· The North Fork Deer Creek Fire – the 27-acre fire is located in the hills above the 8000-block of Deer Creek Road east of Selma. Mop-up operations continue on this incident. There are no current evacuation orders for this incident.
· The Jim Me Peak Fire – the 70-acre fire is located in a remote area south of Applegate. Lines remain strong; Crews have completely lined the perimeter of the fire and are continuing to expand mop-up and add more direct lines around portions of the fire to remove unburned vegetation from inside the line, strengthening it.
· The Palmer Peak Fire – the 76-acre fire is located to the southeast of the Jim Me Peak Fire. Crews have completely lined the perimeter of the fire and are continuing to expand mop-up. There are no current evacuation orders for this incident.
· The Holcomb Peak Fire – the 25-acre fire is located southwest of Williams. Crews completely lined the perimeter of the fire and are continuing to expand mop-up.
· The Sulfur Springs Fire – the 35-acre fire is located southeast of Buncom and Cinnabar Mountain. Crews have completely lined the perimeter of the fire and are continuing to expand mop-up.
The Benson Gulch Fire, – the 9.6 acre fire is located south of Applegate Road and Button Butte, west of Buncom. Crews have completely lined the perimeter of the fire and are continuing to expand mop-up.
The following fires are managed by the ODF District:
The Heppsie Mountain Fire – The Heppsie Mountain Fire – located south of Highway 140. Firefighters are continuing mop-up operations. Lines remain strong, and with the current status of the fire, firefighters were able to GPS map it today at 100 acres, with an additional 10 acres of mopped up spot fires. This fire is now 40% contained, which will increase as mop-up continues. A Level 1 – BE READY for a possible evacuation remains in place for: JAC-325-B Heppsie Mountain Road south of Highway 140 and the zone immediately to the south, JAC-326. More information on current evacuations issued by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management can be found here: https://protect.genasys.com/.
The Poole Hill Fire – located south of the Heppsie Mountain Fire. Today, mop-up operations continued, putting the fire at 55% contained and holding it at 12 acres. This work will continue overnight. Evacuation notifications for the Heppsie Mountain Fire apply to this incident as well.
Most of these fires were caused by lightning strikes following thunderstorms Monday night. Other small fires are still staffed across the district. Firefighters are facing a high number of dead trees across all of these incidents. These dead trees create additional safety risks to firefighters, and in some cases have increased the time to build containment lines.
Aircraft continues to be used throughout the day. As a reminder, drone use around fires is illegal, and incredibly dangerous to pilots working on incidents; if you fly, we can’t. All illegal drone use will be reported to law enforcement.
Due to the large number of fires, updates on smaller incidents are not being provided at this time; if conditions change and there are any threats to homes, communities or roads, information will be provided as timely and accurately as possible.
Temperatures are expected to reach triple digits this weekend, which will naturally increase fire activity. While resources remain engaged on these lightning-caused incidents, communities can help to prevent new fires from starting by following all current fire regulations, found here: https://swofire.com/public-fire-restrictions/.
For fire local information anytime, visit the district’s Facebook page, @ODFSouthwest or website, www.swofire.com.
JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (July 11, 2025)—Overnight, crews continued to make progress on all incidents across Jackson and Josephine counties, with control line around all fires and mop-up operations underway. Mop-up operations refer to the process of establishing water access around the fire, which includes setting pumps and miles of hose lines to extinguishing remaining hot spots along the perimeter to prevent rekindling in the hot, dry summer months.
ODF Complex Incident Management Team 3 is in command of a group of lightning fires dubbed the Grizzly Complex that started on Monday, July 7. The Neil Creek Road Fire, which was already assigned to IMT 3, was also formally assigned to the complex. Southwest Oregon District continues suppression efforts on additional fires within the district.
More than 1,600 personnel are assigned to the Grizzly Complex and are assisting with response to potential new fire starts within the complex.
“We have been aggressively fighting these fires day and night, and we’re making great progress on holding their current footprints,” said ODF CIMT 3 Incident Commander Tyler McCarty. “But this isn’t over. The temperatures are rising, and hot, windy conditions persist. We need the public’s help to keep fires from starting so we can concentrate on finishing the good work to cool these fires and keep them from restarting.”
Today, the following fires remain the largest incidents under ODF CIMT3 Incident Management:
· The Neil Creek Road Fire – located west of I-5 mile marker 10 and south of Ashland. Crews have completely lined the perimeter of the fire and are continuing to expand mop-up and add more direct lines around portions of the fire, removing unburned vegetation that could threaten the line’s strength. The fire has been GPS mapped at 237 acres. Evacuation notices: Zones JAC-542, JAC-543, JAC-546, JAC-558 and JAC-559 under a Level 2 – Be Set. Zone JAC-536 remains at a Level 1 – Be Ready. More information on current evacuations can be found at: https://protect.genasys.com/. One lane of I-5 is closed between mile markers 8.5 and 10.5 on southbound lanes only. Check tripcheck.com for up-to-date traffic information.
· The Deming Gulch Fire – located northeast of Buncom. The fire is currently estimated at 250 acres. Crews have completely lined the perimeter of the fire and are continuing to expand mop-up. There are currently no evacuation notices.
· The North Fork Deer Creek Fire – the 27-acre fire is located in the hills above the 8000-block of Deer Creek Road east of Selma. There are no current evacuation orders for this incident.
· The Jim Me Peak Fire – the 70-acre fire is located in a remote area south of Applegate. Crews have completely lined the perimeter of the fire and are continuing to expand mop-up and add more direct lines around portions of the fire to remove unburned vegetation from inside the line, strengthening it.
· The Palmer Peak Fire – the 76-acre fire is located to the southeast of the Jim Me Peak Fire. Crews have completely lined the perimeter of the fire and are continuing to expand mop-up. There are no current evacuation orders for this incident.
· The Holcomb Peak Fire – the 25-acre fire is located southwest of Williams. Crews completely lined the perimeter of the fire and are continuing to expand mop-up.
· The Sulfur Springs Fire – the 35-acre fire is located southeast of Buncom and Cinnabar Mountain. Crews have completely lined the perimeter of the fire and are continuing to expand mop-up.
The Benson Gulch Fire, – the 9.6 acre fire is located south of Applegate Road and Button Butte, west of Buncom. Crews have completely lined the of the fire and are continuing to expand mop-up.
The following fires are managed by the ODF District:
The Heppsie Mountain Fire – the 50-acre fire is located south of Highway 140. Firefighters worked overnight to clean up areas of the line that held pockets of unburned vegetation, strengthening those portions. The fire remains 100% lined. Resources will continue to bolster the fire line around the perimeter and continue mop-up operations. A Level 1 – BE READY for a possible evacuation remains in place for: JAC-325-B Heppsie Mountain Road south of Highway 140 and the zone immediately to the south, JAC-326. More information on current evacuations issued by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management can be found here: https://protect.genasys.com/.
The Poole Hill Fire – located south of the Heppsie Mountain Fire. Overnight, progress continued on mopping up the fire. Today, firefighters will push forward on this work, extinguishing hotspots into the interior of the fire, ensuring it won’t flare up again. Evacuation notifications for the Heppsie Mountain Fire apply to this incident as well.
Most of these fires were caused by lightning strikes following thunderstorms Monday night. Other small fires are still staffed across the district.
Aircraft continues to be a critical asset and was used throughout the day. As a reminder, drone use around fires is illegal, and incredibly dangerous to pilots working on incidents; if you fly, we can’t. All illegal drone use will be reported to law enforcement.
Due to the large number of fires, updates on smaller incidents are not being provided at this time; if conditions change and there are any threats to homes, communities or roads, information will be provided as timely and accurately as possible.
Temperatures are expected to reach triple digits this weekend, which will naturally increase fire activity. While resources remain engaged on these lightning-caused incidents, communities can help to prevent new fires from starting by following all current fire regulations, found here: https://swofire.com/public-fire-restrictions/.
For local fire information anytime, visit the district’s Facebook page, @ODFSouthwest or website, www.swofire.com.
BONANZA, Ore. – Firefighters made significant progress yesterday to strengthen and secure control lines along the fire’s perimeter. Ridgetop winds in the late afternoon increased fire activity in the southeast corner of the fire. Fire crews and air resources quickly moved in to address the heightened activity. Along the northwest and northeast side of the fire, crews have plumbed hose lines and conducted cold trailing operations to identify and eliminate residual heat.
Crews on the southeastern edge of the fire are actively engaged in lining and mopping up several spot fires that were detected and caught early. These efforts, combined with vigilant patrols, are helping keep the fire in check.
“We’re in a strong position going into the weekend,” said Incident Commander Joe Hessel. “The work completed by these crews has put us in a good position as the weather begins to shift.”
Forecasted conditions through Monday—including rising temperatures, gusty afternoon winds, and lower overnight humidity—will test control lines and encourage interior pockets of unburned vegetation to ignite. These conditions are expected and will aid firefighters in consuming fuels safely within the fire’s perimeter under watchful eyes.
With continued progress and improved containment, two Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) structural task forces will be released from the incident and return to their home jurisdictions to remain available for local response. Remaining task forces and crews will maintain structure protection operations and support wildland operations.
The Klamath County Sheriff lowered some evacuation levels around the Elk Fire. For the latest evacuation information, please visit: https://protect.genasys.com/search
