8/23/16 Cleveland Fire

Fire crews worked through the night building fire line on the Cleveland Ridge Fire, located approximately 5 miles north/northwest of Shady Cove. The fire is approximately 250 acres and 70 percent lined as of this morning.

The fire was reported at 4:01 p.m. Monday and burned nearly 200 acres of forest by nightfall. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Weather conditions today call for temperatures 90-95 degrees, relative humidity between 15-20 percent, and northwest wind at 5 mph. The fire is burning in grass, brush and mixed-age conifer forest. The topography ranges from moderate to very steep. Road access is good to the east and west flanks of the fire, and poor on the north side.

This morning firefighters will continue to evaluate the need for evacuation notices. The potential for a Level One, “Be Ready,” evacuation notice for homes along Tiller Trail Highway 227 as well as remote areas surrounding the fire is possible within the upcoming hours. No structures have been lost, but at least 40 are threatened.

Sections of West Fork Trail Creek Road remain closed today. While all other roads are currently open, we ask that people are cautious while traveling through areas with high fire traffic.
Along with Oregon Department of Forestry crews from the Southwest Oregon District’s Medford and Grants Pass units, a Rogue Valley Strike Team has been activated. The strike team consists of structural protection units from Jackson County Fire District 3, Jackson County Fire District 4, Jackson County Fire District #5 IAFF Local 2596, Medford Fire-Rescue, Jacksonville Fire and Ashland Fire-Rescue. Ten-man and 20-man crews are also on scene, and several Oregon Department of Corrections inmate crews have arrived to assist with fire line construction and mop-up.

Firefighters will work today to knock down the fire, strengthen control lines and work on mopping up hot spots along the perimeter.

The fire is burning on Bureau of Land Management and private lands, all of which are protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District.

Fire management officials ask that the public continue to use caution and adhere to regulations. Current fire restrictions for lands in Jackson and Josephine Counties protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District can be found on the district’s Facebook page ODF Southwest Oregon District, and the website www.swofire.com.