Final Fielder Mountain Fire Update Shows 81% Containment, Command Transferring to District
Further progress continues on the Fielder Mountain Fire as resources close in on completing mop-up operations and repair work. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports the fire is now 81% contained. ODF's Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) 1 will be transferring command of the fire back to the Southwest Oregon District at 6 p.m. tonight. Local district personnel have been shadowing the team for the past day to gain situational awareness about the status of the fire and the work that needs to be completed. Firefighters still assigned to the fire will continue mopping up along the western and northern control lines to extinguish any remaining hotspots within the first 300-feet of the fire’s perimeter. Resources continue to build water bars and flatten bulldozer berms across the incident. Roads in the fire area will be left open to allow for future use if needed. Today, isolated thunderstorms are in the forecast, with temperatures predicted in the mid-90s.
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JoCo Sheriff's Deputies, OSP Responded to Shooting Report, Suspect Arrested
Deputies from the Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded Wednesday at 7:46 a.m. to a residence in the 300 block of Cherokee Lane in Grants Pass for a report of a male being shot in the chest. Upon arrival, deputies detained multiple individuals and rendered aid to the victim. Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police responded to the scene and began their investigation. The suspect was identified as Eric Commins. He had fired multiple rounds from a .22 caliber pistol at the victim inside the residence. Commins cooperated with the investigation and was later arrested and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for First Degree Assault, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. The victim, Alejandro Soto, was transported to Rogue Regional Medical Center to be treated for his injuries. No further details are being released.
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White City Man Dies during DUII Arrest, Cause of Death under Investigation
A 39-year-old White City man died Tuesday night after becoming unresponsive during a Jackson County Sheriff’s Office DUII arrest. Dispatch received a 911 call at 9:17 p.m. from a man who was speaking incoherently and appeared to be confused. During the call, he reported that someone may have drugged him. Deputies responded to the area of Table Rock Road and Orr Drive, where they found the man in the roadway obstructing traffic and exhibiting signs of intoxication. During the investigation, deputies learned the man had driven to the location and took him into custody for a controlled substance DUII at 9:44 p.m. He resisted deputies, who lowered him to the ground to maintain control and called for additional units. Deputies also requested medical personnel to stage nearby. The man then appeared to lose consciousness. Deputies placed him in the recovery position and requested medical personnel respond to the scene. Moments later, the man regained consciousness and began talking and physically resisting deputies again. Oregon State Police troopers arrived to assist. Mercy Flights medics arrived at 9:51 p.m. and evaluated him on the ground. The man was moved to a gurney and soon became unresponsive. Paramedics immediately began life-saving measures, which continued until 10:42 p.m.
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