IFPL Decreasing to Level 1, Moderate Fire Danger Remains
Continued cooler conditions have prompted a decrease in the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) across Jackson and Josephine counties. At 12:01 a.m. this morning, September 28, 2026, the IFPL on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District decreased from Level 2 to Level 1. The public fire danger level will remain “moderate”. This change affects 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management forestlands in Jackson and Josephine counties. The primary change with this decrease applies to industrial operations. Public fire prevention restrictions are not changing with this decrease. Moderate fire danger restrictions remain in effect, including restrictions on the use of power-driven equipment, grinding, cutting of metal and other spark-emitting equipment between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. daily. Outdoor debris burning also remains prohibited. ...Read more

Grants Pass Students Make Significant Gains on State Assessments

Grants Pass School District 7 students made significant gains in both English Language Arts (ELA) and math on the 2025-26 Oregon Statewide Assessment System (OSAS) tests, with growth across the district and particularly strong gains in grades 3, 5 and 7. According to a statement, districtwide, ELA proficiency increased 4.3 percentage points, from 46.6% in 2024-25 to 50.9% in 2025-26. Math proficiency increased 4.2 percentage points, from 31.9% in 2024-25 to 36.1% in 2025-26. Across Oregon, proficiency increased by 0.8 percentage points in ELA and 1.4 percentage points in math. Statewide, 43.8% of students were proficient in ELA, and 32.9% were proficient in math. Grants Pass students outperformed the statewide proficiency rate. The district was 8.9 percentage points above the state in third-grade ELA, 10.0 points above in fifth-grade ELA, and 8.1 points above in seventh-grade ELA. In math, Grants Pass was 8.0 points above the state in third grade, 5.1 points above in fifth grade, and 10.8 points above in seventh grade. ...Read more

Final Anderson Butte Road Fire Shows 50% Containment

Containment on the Anderson Butte Road Fire has increased to 50% following another day of hard work by firefighters. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, the fire remains at 78 acres, with all control lines holding as crews continue to secure the perimeter and extinguish remaining heat. Firefighters have now completed mop-up approximately 200 feet inward from the perimeter, further securing the fire’s edge. Snagging operations have also been completed throughout the areas crews have been able to safely access. Some smoke remains visible in the interior of the fire, particularly in a steep drainage where heavy concentrations of hazardous trees make access difficult. Crews continue to assess these areas and address remaining heat where they can do so safely. ...Read more