Lightning fires keep crews busy

Morgan Rothborne, Mail Tribune, Medford, Ore.
·2 min read

Sep. 7—A predawn thunderstorm Wednesday sparked numerous fires throughout the Rogue Valley, sending firefighters from multiple agencies out to work early in remote areas.

The majority of lightning strikes landed on the east side of the county, although a few were recorded in the valley near Talent.

Oregon Department of Forestry responded to six fires Wednesday, said Natalie Weber, ODF public information officer.

Two of the fires were on U.S. Forest Service land, affecting both the Klamath National Forest and the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Three other fires were on Bureau of Land Management land, and one was on private property to the southeast of Lake Creek Reservoir.

All of the fires were contained, and some had already been knocked down by late morning. Klamath National Forest took over operations for the fire in its territory.

"They were all pretty dang small," Weber said. "A lot of these fires were extremely remote; people had to hike in to them."

ODF worked with Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and Grayback Forestry to knock down the fires, Weber said.

In the Rogue River-Siskyou National Forest, firefighters investigated four smoke reports, according to Margueritte Hickman, public information officer for the national forest.

All of the fires were accessible for fire crews but one — a strike in the Sky Lakes Wilderness Area north of Mount McLoughlin, where smokejumpers were called in.

"It's a beautiful county, but for firefighting it's a little more difficult," Hickman said.

Red flag conditions were forecast for the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Wednesday, with the potential for wind and thunderstorms, she said. Resources were ready in the area, some positioned in strategic locations and some spending the day on patrol.

Available were 21 engines, four 20-person crews, one water tender and two bulldozers in the area. Two strike teams, a water tender and an additional bulldozer also were available, according to a press release from the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.

Aviation resources included a rappel helicopter and reconnaissance flights. An infrared detection flight had been ordered, the Forest Service said.

"The Forest Service is fighting fire, and our mission is to keep 'em small," Hickman said.

All of the fires reported Wednesday occurred in areas with known lightning strikes, but the fires still will be investigated, Weber said.

Reach Mail Tribune reporter Morgan Rothborne at mrothborne@rosebudmedia.com or 541-776-4487. Follow her on Twitter @MRothborne.