8/1/2014 12:34 pm Beaver Creek Fire Update

Oregon Department of Forestry Team 2- Chris Cline, Incident Commander
Phone Numbers: 541-826-1599
Hours of operation: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

August 1, 2014 12:00 p.m.

Special Message: The public is asked to use caution while driving near the vicinity of the Salt Creek Fire.
Vehicles cutting corners while traveling the roads in the area of East Evans Road, West Evans Road, and
Antioch Road have been reported.

Current Situation: The Beaver Complex now consists to two fires: Salt Creek Fire and Oregon Gulch Fire.
The newest fire, Oregon Gulch, is south of Highway 66, burning in the proximity of the Soda Mountain
Wilderness. The fire grew rapidly and is approximately 11,000 acres. Salt Creek Fire had moderate fire growth yesterday and is currently 108 acres. Both fires were caused by lightning from thunderstorms that moved through the area over the last few days. Due to the complexity of the Oregon Gulch Fire, a unified command management structure with Oregon Department of Forestry, CalFire, and Oregon State Fire Marshall’s office will be established.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office issued a Level 3 evacuation order yesterday for homes near Oregon Gulch fire, near Copco Road (6000 block to Oregon border). All of the people in the affected area have been contacted.

Salt Creek Fire

The east side of the fire has been lined using a bulldozer. Also, hose used to transport water to the fireline will be installed and mop up will begin. The west side of the fire is more problematic for fire personnel due to the steep terrain, making it difficult for personnel to work along the fireline directly. Roads near the west side of the fire will be cleared to help create better access.

Oregon Gulch Fire

This fire was integrated into Beaver Complex yesterday afternoon. The fire is burning in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. The fire grew rapidly, crossing into Klamath County in Oregon and crossing over the Oregon-California border early last evening. Resource advisors from Bureau of Land Management have been dispatched to the fire to assist with minimizing the effects of fire suppression activity within the Monument.

Fire growth is expected to move in a southeast direction. The number of structures threatened is 170. Multiple outbuildings were destroyed. Fire personnel from California, Bureau of Land Management, and various structural fire departments are assisting with fire suppression and structural protection.

Weather: Sunny skies are expected with a chance of isolated thunderstorms by evening. The temperature is
expected to reach 98 degrees with light winds from the north and west, becoming northeast and northwest.

Fire Statistics for Salt Creek
Location: 20 miles northwest of Medford, OR Percent Contained: 30%
Complex Size: 108 acres Cause: Lightning
Start Date: 7/30/14

Fire Statistics for Oregon Gulch
Location: 15 miles east of Ashland, OR Percent Contained: 5%
Complex Size: 11,000 acres Cause: Lightning
Start Date: 7/30/14
Resources Include: 6 T2 hand crews, 4 Camp Crews, 12 engines, 10 dozers, 8 water tenders, and overhead personnel.
Air Resources: 11 helicopters and air tankers on request.

Places to get information:

Twitter - www.twitter.com/swofire/
Southwest Oregon District Blog - http://www.swofire.com/
DEQ - http://www.deq.state.or.us/AQ/burning/wildfires/index.htm
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office - https://www.facebook.com/#!/JacksonCountySheriff