Upper Applegate Wildfire Surges Past 350 Acres as Evacuation Orders Expand Across Jackson County
JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — As the Upper Applegate wildfire reported Wednesday continued to grow, reaching an estimated 350 acres and still growing, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry, several fire crews worked to contain the fire as the State Fire Marshal deployed two task forces to bolster structural protection capacity for local crews and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) revised evacuation levels.
Upper Applegate Wildfire Update
The wildfire off Upper Applegate Road, south of the town of Ruch, covered an estimated 120 acres by 2:30 p.m. yesterday before spreading over 350 acres.
Several helicopters and two large air tankers joined fire crews from the Applegate Fire District, multiple Rogue Valley fire agencies, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Oregon Department of Forestry, who are actively working to contain the blaze.
Two task forces were also sent under the state’s Immediate Response tool. The State Fire Marshal can deploy these resources without invoking the Emergency Conflagration Act to provide rapid support before fires escalate.
Upper Applegate Fire Evacuations
Upper Applegate Road is closed between Hamilton Road and Little Applegate Road. JCSO indicated early this morning that, due to firefighting efforts, the following evacuation orders are currently applicable:
- JAC-419, JAC-422, JAC-428 2000 block upper Applegate Level 1 – Be ready for a possible evacuation
- JAC-421 has been downgraded from Level 2 to Level 1 – Be Ready to evacuate.
- JAC-427 was downgraded from Level 3 to Level 2 – Be Set to evacuate.
- JAC-436 remains at Level 3 – Go Now!
- JAC-437 remains at Level 2 – Be Set to evacuate.
- JAC-443 has been added to Level 1 Be Ready.
- All other zones will remain the same and continue in place overnight.
As firefighters battle warm, windy, and dry conditions while working overnight shifts, ODF Southwest confirmed that the crews will remain engaged 24/7.