GRANTS PASS, Ore. (July 18, 2025)—Following an aggressive overnight attack by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Southwest Oregon District, ODF Complex Incident Management Team 3 (CIMT 3) took command of the estimated 300-acre Board Shanty Fire, located south of Grants Pass, this morning at 6:00 a.m.
Taking advantage of cooler temperatures overnight, crews established 5,000 feet of handline along Board Shanty Road on the northeast perimeter of the fire and slowed growth at the head. Firefighters are facing very active fire behavior, including frequent spotting over the line, as well as overhead hazards, such as standing dead timber that could fall. Today, crews will continue aggressive, direct firefighting tactics as they look to connect line from the head to the heal of the fire with the assistance of aviation.
Yesterday evening, ODF Southwest Oregon District responded to the rapidly growing Board Shanty Fire around 5:00 p.m., as well as numerous engines from Grants Pass Fire, Rural Metro Fire, a contingent of engines from Rogue Valley fire agencies and resources reassigned from the Grizzly Complex.
The team will be in command of the Board Shanty Fire in addition to the 22 fully lined fires within the Grizzly Complex, which is currently at 79% containment with over half of the fires at 90% or more containment. ODF CIMT 3 was initially ordered Tuesday, July 8 to take command of 22 of the fires within the Grizzly Complex.
Due to the Board Shanty Fire south of Grants Pass, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management placed Zones JCU-436 and JCU-437 under a Level 2 – Be Set to evacuate notice and a Level 1 – BE READY for JCU-448. Additionally, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management have placed Zone JAC-068 under a Level 1 – Be Ready evacuation notice. For the latest updates on evacuations, visit: https://protect.genasys.com.
Aircraft will be used heavily today to help suppress the fire. Drone use near fires is both illegal and extremely dangerous to pilots working on incidents. If you fly, we can’t. All illegal drone use will be reported to law enforcement.
For more fire information, visit the district’s Facebook page, @ODFSouthwest or website, www.swofire.com.
Bonanza, Ore. Fire crews on the Elk Fire have continued to make significant progress improving containment lines and holding the fire within the fireline. They have focused on increasing the mop-up depth adjacent to the fire perimeter to minimize any risk of the fire moving across control lines. Fire operations are confident in the work done on the Elk Fire and are beginning to shift resources to the Hagelstein Fire
Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Team 1 Operations Section Chief John Flannigan praised firefighters for their hard work on the Elk Fire, “It’s been several days since we have had flare ups and spotfires on the incident and that is because you all pushed hard to keep the fire inside the fireline.”
Yesterday helicopters were used on the Hagelstein Fire to keep the fire in check, supporting efforts on the ground to build handline along the eastern flank and to cool slash piles burning near the fireline. Retardant was used along the eastern flank as well, limiting potential spotfires from tree torching and lofting embers. Overnight, firefighters were able to complete the control line around the perimeter of the fire, today the focus will be on improving the line.
Warm temperatures, poor relative humidity and windy conditions are expected for the next several days. Areas of smoke can be expected in the Klamath Basin from local and regional wildfires, air quality may be unhealthy for sensitive groups at times. Visit https://www.oregonsmoke.org/ for aire quality information and ways to reduce impacts from wildfire smoke.
On Wednesday the Klamath County Sheriff changed evacuations around the Elk Fire. For the latest evacuation information, please visit: https://protect.genasys.com/search
JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (July 16, 2025)—Fire lines across the Grizzly Complex are holding strong as firefighters work to finalize containment and extinguish remaining hot spots. The overall containment across the complex reached 58%, with all fires individually at least 50% contained. Over half of the fires reached 90% or more containment and are being actively patrolled for potential flare-ups, although none have been found to date.
Tonight, overnight crews will continue using handheld infrared (IR) cameras to locate hot spots and ensure the perimeter areas are free of fire and heat. Tomorrow, continued progress is expected, with day crews aiming to complete 300 feet of mop-up into the fire perimeters, extinguishing all fire or heat throughout these areas. This progress will allow repair work to begin and enable some resources to be released from the fire line. Initial attack resources from ODF CIMT 3 remain ready to respond to any new flare-ups or fire starts in the area alongside the ODF Southwest Oregon District. Some smoke may still be visible from the center of fire perimeters.
On Monday, July 7, a thunderstorm moved into southern Oregon, bringing more than 1,300 lightning strikes to Jackson and Josephine counties. Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Southwest Oregon District dispatch centers were immediately flooded with calls of reported fires; by midnight, more than 50 reports of fires had been taken and recorded, and firefighters were engaged in an aggressive initial attack on numerous incidents. Resources made quick work of a number of fires, including the Pompadour Fire in the hills east of Ashland. Firefighters were able to stop its growth and fully build a line around its perimeter at 38 acres, protecting numerous homes in the area.
Due to the amount of reports, a large number of fires were called in multiple times from residents viewing the same fire in different locations; with these complexities added onto the fast paced and massive workload on ODF Southwest’s dispatchers and firefighters, 72 fires were initially reported in Jackson and Josephine counties on ODF-protected land. District staff worked around the clock on these incidents, dispatching resources to new fires, flying numerous reconnaissance flights daily and monitoring strike areas across the district to determine fire locations and status, allocating resources to the incidents where they were most needed and strategizing where the next need would be.
ODF Complex Incident Management Team 3 (CIMT 3) was ordered Tuesday afternoon and took command of 22 of the fires the following morning, with the Oregon Southwest District continuing an aggressive attack on the remaining fires in Jackson and Josephine counties, while continuing to respond to new reports of human-caused fires; since Monday’s thunderstorm, the ODF Southwest Oregon District has responded to and extinguished an additional 13 human-caused fires on top of the lighting starts, the largest being caught immediately at 12 acres.
With mapping, reconnaissance flights, detection center scans, and firefighters ground truthing all reports, the district has responded to 52 fires since last Monday. Between the work from ODF CIMT 3 and the ODF Southwest Oregon District, all fires are now 100% lined and mostly, if not entirely, mopped up. All fires were caught at 250 acres or less, with the majority in the range of 1/10 of an acre to 10 acres in size.
All of these fires were stopped due to the collective work of firefighters from across local, state and federal agencies. These partnerships between organizations in southern Oregon played a large role in the success of these incidents. ODF CIMT 3, ODF Southwest Oregon District and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Medford District would like to extend a thank-you to the U.S. Forest Service Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, CALFIRE, Ashland Fire & Rescue, Jackson County Fire District #5, Greensprings Rural Fire District, Colestin Rural Fire Protection District, Applegate Valley Fire District, Williams Fire Rescue, Grants Pass Fire Rescue, Jackson County Fire District 1, Rural Metro Fire, Illinois Valley Fire District, Lake Creek Fire District, Jackson County Fire District 3, Medford Fire Department, Jacksonville Fire Department, Jackson County Fire District 4, Prospect Rural Fire Protection District and Butte Falls Volunteer Fire and Rescue. We would also like to recognize Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Emergency Management, Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, Josephine County Emergency Management, Oregon Department of Transportation, Pacific Power and Light, Jackson County Roads and numerous other entities that have responded alongside us and contributed to the overall success of these fires. Additionally, thank you to the communities that we serve; your support during these incidents has been seen and greatly appreciated by all firefighters.
Level 1 – Be Ready evacuation notices remain in place for zones JAC-542, JAC-558, and Zone JAC-536. For the latest updates on evacuations, visit: https://protect.genasys.com. All lanes on Interstate 5 are now open, but firefighters are still working in the area. Please be aware and use caution when traveling near any fire zones.
Aircraft remain on standby, and drone use near fires is both illegal and extremely dangerous to pilots working on incidents. If you fly, we can’t. All illegal drone use will be reported to law enforcement.
This will be the final update on these incidents unless conditions significantly change. For more fire information, visit the district’s Facebook page, @ODFSouthwest or website, www.swofire.com.
Current status of the fires under ODF CIMT3 Incident Management:
All fires listed below are confirmed lightning-caused, are 100% lined and in various stages of mop up or repair. Crews are focusing on extinguishing hot spots along fire perimeters and may reassign resources to other fires in the region.
Fire crews had successful operations on the Elk Fire Tuesday, making good progress further securing the line on the fire, with reports of no spot fires yesterday or overnight. Some areas of the Elk Fire have been mopped up 100ft within the fire line. In the coming days, crews will continue to mop up further into the interior.
Crews continue to make strong progress on the Hagelstein Fire. Helicopters were used heavily, cooling the fire to allow ground crews better access for line construction and holding the line. The west flank of the fire has been lined with heavy equipment with crews putting in hand line on the east flank. In some places the fire moved across the control line and spotted outside the line. Firefighters were able to quickly stop these fires.
Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Team 1’s objective for both incidents is to minimize acres burned, in a timely manner, while prioritizing firefighter and public safety. The urgency placed on the Elk Fire has not and will not change due to the ODF Team 1 assuming command of the Hagelstein Fire. ODF IMT 1 is confident in managing both incidents successfully.
Orders were placed yesterday for 200 additional personnel to support fire suppression efforts on the Hagelstein Fire. They are expected in the next couple of days.
Today’s weather is expected to be similar to yesterday with elevated temperatures and dry conditions. Areas of smoke can be expected in the Klamath Basin from local and regional wildfires.
The Klamath County Sheriff has implemented evacuations around the Elk Fire. For the latest evacuation information, please visit: https://protect.genasys.com/search
JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (July 15, 2025)—Despite high temperatures and gusty conditions, crews held Grizzly Complex fires within their current footprints and increased mop-up operations and total containment within the complex.
Late last night, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Complex Incident Management Team 3 (CIMT 3) quickly redeployed one CAL FIRE strike team of firefighters to assist at the rapidly growing Hagelstein Fire, 14 miles north of Klamath Falls near Highway 97.
ODF CIMT 3 received a request from ODF CIMT 1 for additional resources. Both states were able to approve the redeployment mere hours after the fire started, with firefighters arriving at the fire by midnight.
“We were in a position to share resources to an emerging need in the region, without reducing our capabilities or readiness,” said Incident Commander Tyler McCarty. “We were just in that position less than a week ago, and we understand how important it is to get those resources as early as possible. We’re very appreciative to have this support and strong partnership with CAL FIRE and other cooperators. It takes a team.”
ODF CIMT 3 is in command of a group of lightning fires known as the Grizzly Complex that started on Monday, July 7. The ODF Southwest Oregon District continues suppression efforts on additional fires within the district. Resources remain available to respond to new fire starts within the complex area.
Level 1 – Be Ready evacuation notices remain in place for zones JAC-542, JAC-558, and Zone JAC-536. More information on current evacuations can be found at: https://protect.genasys.com. One lane of Interstate 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 Complex. 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.
Temperatures are expected to remain at or near triple digits throughout the week, which will naturally increase fire activity and risk. While resources remain engaged on these 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 removing snags, strengthening lines and extinguishing hot spots along fire perimeters. Acreage on individual fires was updated due to an infrared flight last night giving more accurate area information.
Incident Status Summary
Fire
Area in Acres
% Containment
Current Fire Status
Anderson Ridge
0.1
90%
100% lined, in patrol status
Ben Johnson Mtn
4.8
80%
100% lined, in mop up
Benson Gulch
12
80%
100% lined, in mop up
Boaz Gulch
0.1
90%
100% lined, in patrol status
Burnt Butte
0.8
90%
100% lined, in patrol status
Cedar Flat
10.1
80%
100% lined, in mop up
Deming Gulch
256.2
30%
100% lined, in mop up
Grouse Creek Rd
11.1
80%
100% lined, in mop up
Hinkley Gulch Rd
0.5
90%
100% lined, in patrol status
Holcomb Peak
35.4
75%
100% lined, in mop up
Jim Me Peak
148.9
30%
100% lined, in mop up
Lick Creek
0.3
90%
100% lined, in patrol status
Lick Gulch
0.5
90%
100% lined, in patrol status
Munger
0.3
90%
100% lined, in patrol status
Neil Creek Rd
256.9
30%
100% lined, in mop up
N Fork Deer Creek
39.8
75%
100% lined, in mop up
Palmer Peak
68.6
30%
100% lined, in mop up
Sulphur Spring
37.3
30%
100% lined, in mop up
Tallowbox
1
90%
100% lined, in patrol status
Wagner Creek Rd MM4
0.1
90%
100% lined, in patrol status
Watergap Rd 16495
0.1
90%
100% lined, in patrol status
Waters Gulch
2.1
80%
100% lined, in mop up
The following fires are managed by the ODF District:
JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (July 14, 2025)—Today crews were seeking out and cooling hot spots that were identified overnight from an infrared (IR) flight and PALM IR. Fires showed minimal fire activity along incident perimeters, allowing crews to focus on hazard tree removal and mopping up.
Many of the fires have a large number of dead trees, known as hazard trees or snags, that require extra mitigation to reduce safety risks. Today, crews completed hazard tree removal along roads within the Neil Creek Road and Jim Me Peak fires, allowing easier access for water tenders.
Oregon Department of Forestry Complex Incident Management Team 3 is in command of a group of lightning fires known as the Grizzly Complex that started on Monday, July 7. The ODF Southwest Oregon District continues suppression efforts on additional fires within the district. Resources remain available to respond to new fire starts within the complex area.
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office reduced the Level 2 – Be Set evacuation notices for zones JAC-542, JAC-543, JAC-546, JAC-558 and JAC-559 to a Level 1 – Be Ready notice. Zone JAC-536 remains at a Level 1. More information on current evacuations can be found at: https://protect.genasys.com/. One lane of Interstate 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 Complex. 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.
Temperatures are expected to remain at or near triple digits this week, which will naturally increase fire activity and risk. 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 removing snags, strengthening lines 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 patrol status
Ben Johnson Mtn
3.8
75%
100% lined, in mop up
Benson Gulch
9.8
75%
100% lined, in mop up
Boaz Gulch
0.1
90%
100% lined, in patrol status
Burnt Butte
0.6
90%
100% lined, in patrol status
Cedar Flat
6.3
75%
100% lined, in mop up
Deming Gulch
258
75%
100% lined, in mop up
Grouse Creek Rd
11.1
75%
100% lined, in mop up
Hinkley Gulch Rd
0.5
90%
100% lined, in patrol status
Holcomb Peak
35.5
30%
100% lined, in mop up
Jim Me Peak
142.5
20%
100% lined, in mop up
Lick Creek
0.3
90%
100% lined, in patrol status
Lick Gulch
0.5
90%
100% lined, in patrol status
Munger
0.3
90%
100% lined, in patrol status
Neil Creek Rd
250.4
20%
100% lined, in mop up
N Fork Deer Creek
82.3
30%
100% lined, in mop up
Palmer Peak
76.6
20%
100% lined, in mop up
Sulphur Spring
38
20%
100% lined, in mop up
Tallowbox
1
90%
100% lined, in patrol status
Wagner Creek Rd MM4
0.1
90%
100% lined, in patrol status
Watergap Rd 16495
0.1
90%
100% lined, in patrol status
Waters Gulch
5.6
75%
100% lined, in mop up
The following fires are managed by the ODF District:
BONANZA, Ore. – Fire crews continue working to strengthen the fireline and expanding mop-up into the interior of the fire. Ignition of unburned fuels near the perimeter of the fire continue to ignite, blowing embers outside the control line. Firefighters have been able to quickly address these spot fires, getting them lined and extinguishing all heat. Firefighters will be using strategic firing operations as conditions allow to reduce the unburned fuels within the fire perimeter.
Crews and resources from the Elk Fire supported initial attack efforts in the local area overnight. Today’s weather will continue to test fire control lines, with high temperatures, reduced humidity and increasing afternoon winds.
Today, efforts will focus on extending hoselays, getting water to more areas of the fire and tightening the fireline to the fire’s edge. Firefighters will also be patrolling in the southwestern part of the fire monitoring for any heat or flames.
The size of the fire has been reduced based on better mapping of the fire perimeter and information gathering from firefighters.
The Klamath County Sheriff has implemented evacuations around the fire. For the latest evacuation information, please visit: https://protect.genasys.com/search
A temporary flight restriction remains in place Federal Aviation Administration – Graphic TFRs.
JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (July 14, 2025) — Firefighting crews continue mopping-up within fire perimeters, resulting in increased containment of fires across the Grizzly Complex.
Nightshift crews are using handheld infrared cameras to identify hot spots so that day shift can cool and extinguish them.
Personnel working on these fires are facing dry fuels and adverse weather conditions, but must mitigate a number of hazards, including difficult terrain, rolling debris, and standing dead trees, or snags. Crews continue to fall snags to allow firefighters to safely access areas of the fire. The large number of dead fir trees across the region pose a danger to firefighters and can increase the potential for fire spread.
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 ODF Southwest Oregon District continues suppression efforts on additional fires within the district. Incident resources remain available to respond to new fire starts within the complex.
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 Interstate 5 is closed to protect firefighters between mile markers 8.5 and 10.5 on southbound lanes only. Visit tripcheck.com for up-to-date traffic information. If conditions change and there are any threats to homes, communities or roads, information will be provided as timely and accurately as possible.
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.
High temperatures, low humidity, wind, and dry fuels naturally increase fire danger. While resources remain engaged on these lightning-caused incidents, residents and visitors 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.
This will be the last morning update for the incident, unless conditions change. The team will continue to provide evening updates.
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 removing snags, strengthening lines 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 patrol status
Ben Johnson Mtn
3.8
75
100% lined, in mop up
Benson Gulch
9.8
75
100% lined, in mop up
Boaz Gulch
0.1
90
100% lined, in patrol status
Burnt Butte
0.6
90
100% lined, in patrol status
Cedar Flat
6.3
75
100% lined, in mop up
Deming Gulch
258
75
100% lined, in mop up
Gouse Creek Rd
11.1
75
100% lined, in mop up
Hinkley Gulch Rd
0.5
90
100% lined, in patrol status
Holcomb Peak
35.5
30
100% lined, in mop up
Jim Me Peak
142.5
20
100% lined, in mop up
Lick Creek
0.3
90
100% lined, in patrol status
Lick Gulch
0.5
90
100% lined, in patrol status
Munger
0.3
90
100% lined, in patrol status
Neil Creek Rd
250.4
20
100% lined, in mop up
N Fork Deer Creek
82.3
30
100% lined, in mop up
Palmer Peak
76.6
20
100% lined, in mop up
Sulphur Spring
38
20
100% lined, in mop up
Tallowbox
1
90
100% lined, in patrol status
Wagner Creek Rd MM4
0.1
90
100% lined, in patrol status
Watergap Rd 16495
0.1
90
100% lined, in patrol status
Waters Gulch
5.6
75
100% lined, in mop up
The following fires are managed by the ODF District:
JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (July 13, 2025) — Despite unfavorable weather conditions, steep slopes, and other challenges, firefighters continue to hold and strengthen fire lines, conduct mop-up within fire perimeters, and increase containment levels of fires across the complex.
Triple digit temperatures, low relative humidity, and winds pose a heightened risk for flaring up hot spots within the fire and generating new starts across the region. Mop-up operations work to cool the fire’s edge to create a wider perimeter to help mitigate embers from escaping the fire.
Today, aircraft delivered large water bladders to remote areas around the fire, enabling crews to extinguish hot spots in difficult-to-access locations. Helicopters also used buckets to cool remote portions of the fire. 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.
Firefighters continue to fall snags, a common term for dead standing trees, to remove the hazard and allow firefighters to safely access additional portions of 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. Grizzly Complex resources remain available to respond to potential new fire starts within the complex.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office canceled the Level 1 Evacuation Notice for Zones JAC-325B and JAC-326 today due to progress on the Heppsie Mountain and Poole Hill fires. 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. If conditions change and there are any threats to homes, communities or roads, information will be provided as timely and accurately as possible.
High temperatures, low humidity, wind, and dry fuels naturally increase fire activity. While resources remain engaged on these lightning-caused incidents, residents and visitors 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 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
BONANZA, Ore. – Construction of control lines around the Elk Fire were completed today. Crews on the southern end of the fire began mopping-up adjacent to the fireline, securing the fire perimeter in this area. Spot fires along the eastern flank of the fire have control lines in place with firefighters working to mop-up these areas.
Tonight, firefighters will increase the mop-up depth adjacent to the fireline and continue to mop-up the spotfires. Engines will be patrolling the southern end of the fire, watching for flames or smoke.
Temperatures will increase over the next few days, with elevated burning conditions expected due to high temperatures and low relative humidity. Resources are available to support initial attack on any new fire starts in the area.
Today, the Klamath County Sheriff reduced evacuations around the Elk Fire, as firefighters have continued to make progress on the fire. Residents are urged to stay informed about evacuation levels and be prepared to act quickly. For the latest evacuation information, please visit: https://protect.genasys.com/search
The American Red Cross shelter is open at:
Living Springs Church
31897 Mission Street
Bonanza, OR 97623
Please stay clear of the fire area for your safety and the safety of firefighters working on the ground and follow all local fire restrictions and closures.
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place, details are n is available at Federal Aviation Administration – Graphic TFRs. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts.
JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (July 11, 2025)—Resources from Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Complex Incident Management Team 3, and district resources working on non-complex lightning fires, continued to make progress across all the fires across Jackson and Josephine counties, with most being fully lined and several moving to mop-up status.
ODF Complex Incident Management Team 3 is in command of a group of lightning fires dubbed the Grizzly Complex that started on Monday. The team is also fighting the Neil Creek Road Fire west of Interstate 5 near Ashland. ODF Southwest Oregon District continues suppression efforts on additional fires within the district.
More than 1,500 personnel are assigned to the Grizzly Complex and Neil Creek Road Fire. These crews and resources continue to provide relief to local district personnel, allowing them to continue work on other fires within the district and respond to potential new fire starts.
“We have had these fires for a little over 36 hours and the progress we have made has been aggressive and steady” said ODF CIMT 3 Deputy Incident Commander Eric Perkins. “The team resources, along with the local resources, are making incredible progress across the incidents.”
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. Today, crews increased the line, wrapping almost completely around the fire. Overnight, the crews will work to complete additional direct line and continue to increase mop-up operations across the whole perimeter. With updated mapping, the fire is now estimated to be closer to 200 acres. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management downgraded some evacuation notices. Zones JAC-542, JAC-543, JAC-546, JAC-558 and JAC-559 under a Level 2 – Be Set. Zone JAC-536 is now downgraded to 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. Firefighters have completed hose lays and increased mop up around the fire to a depth between 10-50 feet into the perimeter, creating a stronger line around the fire. There are currently no evacuation notices on this incident.
The North Fork Deer Creek Fire – located in the hills above the 8000-block of Deer Creek Road east of Selma. Crews continue mop-up operations and building depth to 100 feet into the interior of the fire and keeping it at 42 acres. There are no current evacuation orders for this incident.
The Jim Me Peak Fire – located in a remote area south of Applegate. Firefighters continued to remain heavily engaged in an aggressive attack while being successful in building a hand line around most of the fire perimeter where the fire crossed lines yesterday. Overnight crews will continue to increase mop-up where they can. The fire is estimated at 70 acres.
The Palmer Peak Fire – located to the southeast of the Jim Me Peak Fire. Line is completed around the fire and mop up operations have built lines with a 50-foot depth into the interior. The fire is currently estimated to be 90 acres.
The Holcomb Peak Fire – located southwest of Williams. Today, firefighters continued to bolster the line, increasing mop up to depths of 50-100 feet into the interior of the fire.
The Sulfur Springs Fire – located southeast of Buncom and Cinnabar Mountain. Crews continued to build depth to the line, adding hose lays to allow for water access across the incident. Today, they also started to build depth to the line into the interior. Mop up will continue to push forward.
The Benson Gulch Fire, – south of Applegate Road and Button Butte, west of Buncom. This fire is fully lined at 13 acres, plumbed with hose and in mop-up operations.
The following fires are managed by the ODF District:
The Heppsie Mountain Fire – located south of Highway 140. Firefighters continued with mop-up efforts today, making progress across the fire. No new growth today and it remains at an estimated to be 50 acres total. 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. Firefighters were able to increase mop-up efforts 50-feet into the interior of the fire, 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.
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 fire local information anytime, visit the district’s Facebook page, @ODFSouthwest or website, www.swofire.com.
BONANZA, Ore. – Firefighters made steady progress overnight on the Elk Fire with minimal activity and no additional growth reported. Cool overnight temperatures created favorable conditions for suppression and containment efforts.
The fire is now estimated at 2,592 acres. This increase is not due to fire spread, but rather the result of more accurate mapping conducted during an infrared flight yesterday.
Fire crews worked through the night building new and strengthening containment lines with dozers and hand tools. Suppression efforts included addressing spot fires that appeared outside of the fire perimeter. All established control lines are currently holding and tied in to previously burned areas, helping to prevent further spread.
Today, structural resources are prioritizing the assessment of property and homes near the fire. Crews will continue working to protect homes, critical infrastructure, and other values at risk. Special attention is being directed toward safeguarding the region’s power infrastructure to ensure the continuity of essential services.
“We had a great night on the fire,” said the Operations Section Chief, Jason Pettigrew. “Today presents a key opportunity to finalize and secure containment lines while conditions remain favorable.”
The forecast calls for slightly warmer temperatures than yesterday, with lower humidity expected. Fire officials urged crews to make the most of this final day of milder weather before hotter, drier conditions return.
Resources remain on standby to support initial attack operations should any new fires start in the area. Fire managers continue working closely with cultural resource advisors to identify and protect significant sites within the fire area. Crews have been briefed and are avoiding culturally sensitive areas.
The Klamath County Sheriff has implemented evacuations around the Elk Fire for public and resident safety. Residents are urged to stay informed about evacuation levels and be prepared to act quickly. For the latest evacuation information, please visit: https://protect.genasys.com/search
The American Red Cross shelter is open at:
Living Springs Church
31897 Mission Street
Bonanza, OR 97623
The public is reminded to stay clear of the fire area for both their safety and the safety of firefighters working on the ground. Please follow all local fire restrictions and closures.
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place at an altitude from the surface up to and including 6500 feet, daily (24 hours) until further notice. Complete information is available at Federal Aviation Administration – Graphic TFRs. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts.
BONANZA, Ore. – Wildland and structural firefighters spent the day coordinating efforts to expand initial control lines around the fire. Five task forces from the Oregon State Fire Marshal are also actively assessing and protecting homes near the fire. One of those structural task forces repositioned to the northeastern edge to begin accessing homes in close proximity to the fireline. Meanwhile, fire crews reached the top of Yainax Butte to safeguard critical communication infrastructure vital to the region and emergency responders.
Crews working the southeastern area of the fire reinforced fireline and plumbed additional firehose into the area, increasing water availability for suppression and mop-up activities. On the north flank of the fire helicopters were used to cool hotspots, allowing ground resources to strengthen fireline and extend the containment line to the north.
Repairs to the fiber optic line providing phone and internet service to areas east of the fire were completed today.
Tonight, firefighters will take advantage of cooler temperatures, increased humidity, and moderated winds to construct fireline directly adjacent to the fire’s edge. Firefighters patrolling in the southern portion of the fire will work to extinguish flames or visible smoke near the fireline. Crews will also be working to check for any spotfires outside the perimeter.
The fire is being managed under a Unified Command between the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) Red Incident Management Team and Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Incident Management Team 1.
The Klamath County Sheriff has implemented evacuations around the Elk Fire for public and resident safety. Residents are urged to stay informed about evacuation levels and be prepared to act quickly. For the latest evacuation information, please visit: https://protect.genasys.com/search
The American Red Cross shelter is open at:
Living Springs Church
31897 Mission Street
Bonanza, OR 97623
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place at an altitude from the surface up to and including 6500 feet, daily (24 hours) until further notice. Complete information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_5_2600. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts.
JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (July 10, 2025) – Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Complex Incident Management Team 3 assumed command of the majority of the lightning-caused fires this morning at 6:00 a.m. More firefighters, crews, and additional resources continue to arrive and will rotate out some existing local district personnel, allowing them to be ready to respond to potential new fire starts.
Capitalizing off cooler night temperatures, firefighters made great progress overnight across all fires in Jackson and Josephine counties and held the majority of fires within their current footprints, minimizing growth. Today, firefighters will continue to provide aggressive, direct suppression on fires and push forward to build lines as hot and windy conditions persist throughout the day and fire potential remains.
Today, the following fires remain the largest incidents across the district:
The Neil Creek Road Fire, located west of I5 mile marker 10 and south of Ashland. Overnight, firefighters continued to build and hold lines around the fire. Crews built additional dozer and hand lines around the perimeter with much of the effort trying to contain the south edge of the fire along Interstate 5. Crews also began mop-up operations along the north end of the fire, still estimated to be 250 acres. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management have placed Zones JAC-536, JAC-542, JAC-543, JAC-546, JAC-558 and JAC-559 under a Level 2 – Be Set to evacuate notice. More information on current evacuations can be found here: https://protect.genasys.com/. One lane of I5 is closed between mile markers 8.5 and 10.5 on both the southbound and northbound sides. Check tripcheck.com for traffic information.
The Deming Gulch Fire, located northeast of Buncom, is currently estimated at 250 acres. Overnight, firefighters were able to build additional line along the west flank and will continue to push forward on progress. Steep terrain with limited access is creating challenges for firefighters. There are currently no evacuation notices on this incident.
The Heppsie Mountain Fire, located south of Highway 140. Firefighters were able to complete the line around the entire Heppsie Mountain Fire, still estimated to be 40 acres in size. Two small spot fires were caught overnight at an acre and half an acre each, and they are both 100% lined this morning. Despite windy conditions, these were the only setbacks overnight. Today, firefighters will continue to bolster lines and mop up. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management have issued a Level 1 – BE READY for a possible evacuation from the following areas: JAC-325-B Heppsie Mountain Road south of Highway 140 and the zone immediately to the south, JAC-326. More information on current evacuations can be found here: https://protect.genasys.com/.
The Poole Hill Fire, located south of the Heppsie Mountain Fire. Firefighters were able to hold lines overnight, keeping the fire completely lined and holding it at a final size of 11.5 acres. Mop-up operations will continue today. Evacuation notifications for the Heppsie Mountain Fire apply to this incident as well.
The North Fork Deer Creek Fire, located in the hills above the 8000-block of Deer Creek Road east of Selma, was 100% lined overnight by fire crews, holding it at 42 acres. Firefighters will continue mop-up operations. There are no current evacuation orders for this incident.
The Jim Me Peak Fire, located in a remote area south of Applegate. The fire remained very active overnight, but firefighters continued to hold it within its footprint at around 70 acres. Resources will continue to be engaged in an aggressive attack as hot, windy conditions persist.
The Palmer Peak Fire, located to the southeast of the Jim Me Peak Fire. Overnight, firefighters were able to continue building line around the fire, now 90% complete. This work will continue today. The fire is currently estimated to be 90 acres.
The Holcomb Peak Fire, located southwest of Williams. Overnight, crews were able to gain the upper hand and line 50-percent of the fire’s perimeter. Today, firefighters will work to hold this line and build more. Hot and windy conditions are expected again, and aircraft will be used where needed.
Aircraft continues to be a pivotal resource on these incidents and will be used where needed 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.
The majority of these fires were caused by lightning strikes following thunderstorms Monday night. The fire count remains at 72 total between the two counties, with numerous fires already caught and extinguished at small sizes.
A number of other small fires are staffed across the district. Due to the large amount 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.
High fire danger is currently in effect on ODF-protected land in Jackson and Josephine counties; as firefighters work to extinguish these natural fire starts, help prevent new human-caused fires from sparking by following all regulations currently in place: https://swofire.com/public-fire-restrictions/.
For fire local information anytime, visit the district’s Facebook page, @ODFSouthwest or website, www.swofire.com.
BONANZA, Ore. – As of this morning, the Elk Fire is estimated at 2,000 acres with 0% containment. Wildland and structural firefighting crews are working together to gather information; more accurate mapping is expected as work progresses along the fire perimeter.
Over the last two days neighboring structural resources from Klamath and Lake counties were mobilized to assist local resources with suppression activities for the fire. Given the fire’s rapid growth and the high fire potential in the area, the Governor signed a conflagration declaration at 12:07 p.m., authorizing the mobilization of structural resources under the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM.)
Two OSFM structural task forces arrived last night, with three more arriving this morning to support suppression efforts. The mutual aid task forces from Klamath and Lake counties will return home today to protect their local communities.
Overnight operations focused on scouting and constructing fireline using both bulldozers and hand crews. Firefighters made steady progress despite challenging terrain and visibility.
Today, wildland and structural firefighters will be working together to secure existing containment lines, slow fire spread and protect homes, outbuildings, and key infrastructure in the area including a high-power transmission line to the east of the fire. Repairs to the fiber optic line providing internet and phone services east of the fire continue.
Additional firefighting resources are arriving throughout the day, allowing ground crews to engage the fire on multiple fronts.
Weather conditions today include temperatures in the upper 80s and breezy winds, which could contribute to increased fire activity.
The fire is being managed under a Unified Command between the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) Red Incident Management Team and Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Incident Management Team 1.
The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office is overseeing evacuations in the affected area. Residents are urged to stay informed about evacuation levels and be prepared to act quickly. For the latest evacuation information, please visit: https://protect.genasys.com/search
The American Red Cross shelter is open at:
Living Springs Church
31897 Mission Street
Bonanza, OR 97623
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place at an altitude from the surface up to and including 6500 feet, daily (24 hours) until further notice. Complete information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_5_2600. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts.
