Fielder Mountain Fire Now at 550 Acres, 0 Containment
Firefighters worked overnight to build hand and dozer line, completing line around approximately 70% of the Fielder Mountain Fire. The fire is estimated at 550 acres and is currently 0% contained. Crews are using dozers where terrain allows and constructing hand line in areas inaccessible to heavy equipment, while hose lays progress uphill to support suppression operations. With warm, gusty conditions expected again today, the objective is to complete line around the fire, strengthening existing line and extending hose farther uphill. Today’s resources include four Type 1 helicopters, three Type 2 helicopters, one Type 3 helicopter and two Air Attack platforms plus ten 20-person hand crews, ten Type 6 engines, five water tenders, five dozers, two single-resource fallers and one falling module. No structures have been reported lost, and a structural task force is assigned to the incident today. An evacuation shelter for people and pets is at North Middle School, 1725 NW Highland Ave., Grants Pass. Individuals needing additional medical care call 541-776-7206. A livestock shelter is available at Jackson County Expo, 21 Peninger Road, Central Point. For livestock assistance, call 541-864-0546. Level 3 Evacuation orders, Go Now, have been issued for zones JAC 037,052B, and ROR 053. Level 2 Evacuation orders, Be Set, have been issued for JAC 052A. Level 1, Be Ready, have been issued for zones JAC 037, 039, 044, ROR 054, 064 and JCU 422.The City of Rogue River is asking citizens conserve water during the current emergency so firefighting apparatus can have access to the water as necessary.
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Commissioners Approve 93 Cent Jail Tax for November 3rd Election
A 93 cent five year local option tax for the county jail was passed along to voters this November by the Board of County Commissioners during the Wednesday night Business Session. The 93 cents would fund 185 beds initially and could support juvenile justice. The former local option tax guaranteed 14 beds for juvenile offenders. Commissioner Richardson asserted expanded costs have reached a level where the 93 cents would provide funds for the jail only. Likely about $3 million short which is what the juvenile beds would costs. The general fund will be able to support juvenile justice for a couple of years. Commissioner Martin asserted the Board would find a way to fund the Juvenile Justice System.
The resolution passed unanimously.
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JoCo Sheriff Says Surveillance Cameras Turned off, Contract Cancelled
Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel has announced the surveillance cameras contracted through FLOCK, have been turned off and the contract with that company has been cancelled.Sheriff Daniel, in a press release dated August 12th, stated that as a result of significant public feedback, the automated license plate readers are no longer active in rural Josephine County and the contract with FLOCK has ended. While the company's equipment remains in the field the cameras are no longer operational. Some of the equipment has been vandalized meaning the Sheriff's office will have to pay for that equipment. A contract for 10 cameras was entered into to increase the ability to identify/locate stolen vehicles, wanted or missing subjects associated with a specific vehicle and in general enhance the ability to investigate crimes. While the technology has been beneficial in solving crime and overall public safety, it is clear much of Josephine County is not ready or willing to accept the use of the technology. There has been a great deal of public concern over this technology and its potential infringement of Constitutional 4th Amendment rights.Sheriff Daniel wrote in the release that the Sheriff's office works for the public and they are listening to you. The FLOCK equipment remains in the field and it is unknown when the company will remove it.
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