ODF: Salt Creek Fire 73% contained, crews respond to lightning-caused fires

EAGLE POINT, Ore. – The Salt Creek Fire continues to gain containment as firefighters push forward on mopping up; it’s now 100% lined and 73% contained. Due to this progress, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Incident Management Team 1 is beginning the process of transitioning the fire back to the local districts to continue working on the incident. During this time, resources will begin to demobilize, allowing some of those personnel and equipment to be reassigned to other fires burning across the region.

With this transition, 961 personnel are assigned to the fire for Tuesday’s day and night shifts, including 37 crews, 28 engines, seven bulldozers and 17 water tenders. Aircraft include four Type 1, one Type 2 and two Type 3 helicopters, and additional aircraft will be ordered if necessary.

These resources will continue to mop up into the interior of the fire and get as much of the fire contained as possible before turning it back over to the local districts.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management have canceled two of the Level 1, “BE READY,” evacuation notices for zones JAC-19 and JAC-21. The rest remain in effect at this time. Learn more about evacuations at: https://protect.genasys.com/

BLM Medford District has temporarily closed BLM-managed lands in the area for safety. For more info go to: https://www.blm.gov/orwafire

The current fire danger level is extreme; follow all fire restrictions to help prevent fires. Learn more at:

• The ODF Southwest Oregon District: https://swofire.com/
• The RRSNF Alerts and Notices page fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices and website homepage www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou
• The BLM OR/WA Fire Management Page: blm.gov/orwafire

The Salt Creek Fire is located 10 miles east of Eagle Point and was first reported Sunday, July 7, just after 4 p.m. The cause is under investigation.

FIRE AT A GLANCE
Estimated Size: 4,102 acres
Containment: 73%
Cause: Under Investigation
Estimated Cost: $11.8 million
Evacuations
Evacuation Level 1: BE READY for Zones JAC-316, JAC-317 and JAC-325-A.
Road Closures
Salt Creek Road and Wasson Canyon Road remain closed at Highway 140, and Double Day Road is closed off of Butte Falls Highway. Highway 140 and Butte Falls Highway remain open.
All Resources
Total Personnel: 961
Hand Crews: 37
Engines: 28
Water Tenders: 17
Dozers: 7
Helicopters: 7
Large Airtankers & Single Engine Airtankers are available upon request.
Incident Commander:
Joe Hessel Oregon Department of Forestry
Incident Management Team 1