Firefighters Respond to Several New Fire Starts
Release Date: Jul 6, 2015
Contact: Virginia Gibbons, (541) 660-6681
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest engine crews are responding to several fires that were ignited as a result of yesterday afternoon’s lightning storm. All five fires are less than 1/10 of an acre in size; three fires are located within the Ashland Watershed, one fire is three miles N of Dutchman Lookout and the other is .5 miles N of Dutchman Lookout. Two of the fires have been contained. The Siskiyou Rappelers have also been ordered to assist with response.
A fair amount of moisture accompanied yesterday’s lightning strikes, and it is anticipated that there may be some “holdover” fires associated with yesterday’s storm. An aerial reconnaissance flight is monitoring for any new starts.
A Red Flag warning is in effect for the Siskiyou Mountains (Applegate/Ashland) and the High Cascades Ranger Districts (Prospect/Butte Falls) until 11 p.m. this evening. Additional lightning is predicted for this afternoon and evening with potential wind gusts from 30-40 mph. Increasing thunderstorm activity will likely create new fire starts and gusty winds could produce potentially erratic fire behavior.
For current recorded fire regulations, precautions, Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL), and closure information 24 hours a day, call 800-267-3126.