Fire Danger Level to Increase to High in Jackson and Josephine Counties

The fire danger level on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District will increase to “high”, and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level will increase to Level 2 Wednesday, June 17th, at 12:01 a.m. This increase is due to persistent hot temperatures and vegetation that continues to dry across Southwest Oregon. The change affects 1.8 million acres of state, private, county and Bureau of Land Management lands in Jackson and Josephine counties. The primary difference between current fire prevention restrictions and those beginning on Thursday affects the public use of power driven equipment, such as chainsaws, mowers, and weed eaters. The use of power driven equipment, grinding, cutting of metal, and other spark emitting equipment, such as wood splitters and generators, will be prohibited between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily. This does not apply to mowing green lawns. For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s fire season restrictions, contact the Grants Pass Unit at (541) 474-3152, or the Medford Unit at (541) 664-3328. ...Read more

Missing Woman Reported to JoCo Sheriff's Office, Public Encouraged to Help

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is alerting the public to a missing person. Officers received a report Sunday at 9:30 p.m. that Peggy Peery was missing. She was last seen sometime after 10:30 a.m. that same day, and it is believed that Peggy walked away from her residence in the Colonial Valley area. She's described as a 5'5" white woman with red hair, green eyes, and weighing 150 pounds. Her direction of travel and clothing description are unknown at this time, and she is believed to have a custom-made madrone walking stick with her that is blue in color. Search and Rescue has been activated and Sheriff's Office volunteers are assisting in the search. Please call the Josephine County Sheriff's Office at 541-474-5123 if you have seen Peggy or have any information on her whereabouts. ...Read more

ODF Continues Fight against Spencer Gulch Fire, Level 1 Order Remains

Firefighters continue to make steady progress on the Spencer Gulch Fire despite another round of hot and dry conditions expected throughout the day. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, crews reported small spot fires and contained them. A hose line has been placed all the way around the fire. The fire has been held at 75 acres while firefighters worked throughout the night. Snag hazards remain a concern and will be addressed throughout the day. Two heavy helicopters, six engines, two water tenders, a dozer, and six 20-person hand crews are working the fire. The plan for today includes continuing the work completed yesterday, making progress on mop-up, and mitigating snags to strengthen containment lines. Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuations remain in place for, according to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Zones JAC-427, JAC-428, and JAC-436 for a three to five acre fire. ...Read more