Special Message:

The Oregon Department of Forestry would like to thank all of the cooperating agencies for their assistance throughout the Beaver Complex. Cooperators include: Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office, CALFIRE, Oregon Air National Guard, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Emergency Services, Klamath County Emergency Management, Siskiyou Office of Emergency Management, Oregon Department of Transportation, Greensprings Rural Fire Protection District, Keno Rural Fire District, Jackson and Josephine County Fire Defense Boards, Bureau of Land Management, Pacific Power and Light and private landowners.

Current Situation:

Thunderstorms moved through the area yesterday afternoon producing copious amounts of lightning and about a half inch of rain over the fire area. Hundreds of lightning strikes hit the surrounding area, some resulting in new fire starts. Several crews assigned to mop up operations on the Oregon Gulch Fire were available to assist with initial attack on new fires nearby helping to boost the available local resources. Yesterday, crews continued to work on mopping up the fire and are at least 400 feet in on all sides. Today, they will continue working towards the 500 foot goal and will patrol the fireline overnight.

Weather and Fire Behavior:

More thunderstorms are predicted for today which should produce a lot of lightning. These storms are expected to be wet. Temperatures today should be between 85 and 90 degrees with relative humidity between 17 and 22%

Fire Statistics for Oregon Gulch

Location: 15 miles east of Ashland, OR Percent Contained: 82%

Size: 35,129 acres (9,464 acres in California) Cause: Lightning

Start Date: 7/30/14

Oregon wildland resources assigned to the complex include: 39 Type 2 hand crews, 4 camp crews, 27 engines, 9 dozers, 25 water tenders, and overhead personnel.

Air resources: 6 helicopters

Total personnel: 1154

Evacuation orders by county:

Jackson County

Beginning at 1:00 yesterday all evacuations orders for the Oregon Gulch Fire have been lifted. Copco Road is open to residents only.

Klamath County

All evacuation orders have been lifted.

For the complex, 270 homes and 50 outbuildings are threatened; 6 homes were destroyed.

Places to get information: