While California fire agencies had their hands full battling the explosive McKinney fire in Siskiyou County, Oregon Department of Forestry crews scrambled to chase reports of smoke after wildfires in the area from Butte Falls.
ODF, along with US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management resources, responded to eight reports of light smoke in northeast Jackson County, called the Midnight Complex.
The rapid response, which included multiple engines, helicopters and fire crews, is typical of the aggressive approach agencies are taking to every report of smoke or fire. So far, they have managed to prevent the fires from spreading. Rains have helped some, and high winds haven’t been a problem.
This week’s activity follows a successful attack on a structure fire on Friday that ignited spot fires, which spread to 5 hectares before firefighters brought it under control. Again, this quick reaction and the use of helicopter water drops prevented what could have been a much larger fire. ODF crews assisted Fire District 3, and other agencies also responded.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office issued Level 2 “Be Prepared” evacuation notices for residents in the area of Foothill and Corey roads shortly before 6pm on Friday. About three hours later, that alert was downgraded to Level 1.
Thanks in part to local first responders, Jackson County residents have so far been spared the need to flee the advancing flames of the out-of-control wildfires. Residents of Northern California have not been so lucky, and the smoke that has blanketed our area is a reminder of what can happen despite the best efforts of firefighters.
As you go about your business on these scorching summer days, keep in mind that while you may not hear about new wildfires or see giant plumes of smoke, that doesn’t mean there aren’t fires. Crews flying in reconnaissance planes and on the ground looking for every smoke report and jumping on every fire they find, no matter how small. We owe them our thanks and cooperation in observing the fire season restrictions.
