Update for the morning of June 27, 2024: Firefighters working on the Upper Applegate fire continue to make methodical progress on the incident, bolstering lines overnight and mopping up the southern portion of the fire. It remains 896 acres this morning and 55% lined. Resources have been able to mop up hotspots, vegetation that is still holding heat, 35-feet into the fire’s perimeter on the south side, bringing mop up efforts to 10% complete. Today, firefighters will push to reach 75-feet along that line.
On the northeastern side of the fire, hazard trees, or snags, remain a difficult and dangerous challenge to work around. Between the potential of trees falling and the steep ground, firefighters continue to work as safely as possible. On Tuesday, a firefighter broke a leg while working on a steep slope. The firefighter was carried out by their crew before being met by Rogue Rescue and transported to a local hospital. The hazards on this incident increase the chance of injuries, and safety is a top priority as work continues.
Today, more than 400 personnel are assigned to the incident, including 14 20-person crews, eight engines, four bulldozers, eight water tenders, two chippers, 10 medical personnel and numerous overhead. Aircraft assigned exclusively to the fire includes two Type 1, two Type 2 helicopters, as well as an air attack plane for coordination. Airtankers and additional aircraft will be ordered as needed.
The
BLM has issued a closure order for BLM-managed lands in the fire area, including Grouse Creek Road. A map and additional information is available at
https://www.blm.gov/orwafire. Additionally, fire related traffic may be impacting the Provolt area; please be aware when driving this stretch of Highway 238.
This fire is affecting private, BLM and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) land on the
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. It was first reported in the late afternoon of Thursday, June 20.
The fire danger level on the ODF Southwest Oregon District is moderate (blue) and regulations are in place. Please be aware of and follow all current restrictions to help reduce the risk of fires in our communities. Fire season information is also available online at our Facebook page: @ODFSouthwest and our website: www.swofire.com.
