Wildfire updates: Gov. Brown declares statewide emergency as Rum Creek Fire grows to 10,709 acres

Updated 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 29

Gov. Kate Brown had declared a statewide emergency in anticipation of "imminent" wildfire danger.

"With wildfire behavior increasing across the state, and with the threat of fire not likely to recede in the near future, it is imperative that we act now to prevent further loss — of life, property, business, and our natural resources," Brown said in a news release. "I issued this emergency declaration to ensure every resources is made available for firefighting efforts and to the crews striving to protect our state."

The declaration authorizes the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to call on personnel, equipment and facilities from other state agencies to mitigate any wildfire threats. It also authorizes National Guard troops to respond to fires.

The declaration comes as the southwest Oregon Rum Creek Fire nearly doubled in size to roughly 8,404 acres on Sunday. On Monday, the fire had grown to 10,709 acres. At least 915 personnel are now battling the blaze.

The fire, burning near the southern Oregon outpost of Galice along the Rogue River, destroyed house and two mining structures as of Monday morning, fire spokesperson Scott Owen said.

Fire officials said Monday homeowners on and near Galice Road can expect to see structure fire crews and engines near their homes. Crews are preparing homes in case the fire threatens structures. They are installing sprinkler kits, using hand tools to remove vegetation and other measures to better protect homes and outbuildings.

The fire has not crossed the Rogue River to the north below Grave Creek, as of noon Monday. The fire continues to burn to the east and west along the south shore below Grave Creek and to the south and east of the Rogue River.

A shift in weather Monday was expected to cause heavy smoke across Josephine County and impact air quality, but also have a slight cooling effect on the fire.

The fire’s quick growth has been attributed to strong winds and dry fuels, as well as a heat wave moving into the area making fuels more receptive to fire, according the Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team.

As wildfire season continues, the forecast ahead is dry, hot and windy, the perfect storm of wildfire conditions.

"It is equally important that each of us do our part to prevent wildfires and to be prepared for the ones we can’t prevent," Brown said. "I am urging Oregonians to take charge in preventing human-caused fires by being safe, responsible, and aware. I am also encouraging individuals and families to be prepared by making an emergency plan and to follow all evacuation orders should they occur in areas of active wildfire."

The fire was started by lightning on Aug. 17 and killed Logan Taylor, a 25-year-old firefighter, after he was struck by a tree the next day. Brown ordered all flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff on Monday in honor of Taylor, with his memorial service to be held the same day.

A remote area with about 200 people and more than 100 houses and other structures remained under evacuation, according to information from Josephine County Emergency Management.

For the latest on evacuation updates, follow this page.

The evacuation included the unincorporated community of Galice. Sections of the Rogue River, which is popular among rafters and fishers, were closed to recreation because of the fire.

Brown on Saturday invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act, effectively providing further support from the state to fight the Rum Creek Fire, with a focus on structure protection.

Under the Emergency Conflagration Act, the Oregon State Fire Marshal has brought in six task forces and one hand crew to relieve local resources. Additional resources have been tasked with structure protection north of Galice and scouting homes, with an emphasis on fire protection along Galice Road.

More: Forest Service reopens large area in Upper Clackamas, Olallie, Collawash post-wildfire

A second aviation base has been set up to allow for more direct support from aircraft on the east and west edges of the fire and construction on fire lines is continuing, according to a press release.

On Sunday afternoon, the Oregon State Fire Marshal announced additional structural resources are being deployed to the fire. One strike team and three task forces are expected to join local, state and federal resources at the scene Monday. The additional resources will be deployed from California through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact and the Office of Emergency Management.

A level 3 evacuation was issued for the outposts of Rand, Galice and a large surrounding area up to Hog Creek, north of Belknap Gulch and north of Indian Mary Park and Stratton Creek Road on Saturday, according to the Josephine County Sheriff's Office.

Emergency shelter operations are at the Josephine County Fairgrounds in Grants Pass.

On Monday, the governor ordered all flags to be at half-staff in honor of Logan Taylor, 25, of Talent, who died after being struck by a tree while fighting the fire earlier this month. A memorial service will be held for Taylor on Monday in Medford at Harry & David Field, 2929 S. Pacific Highway, according to the Medford Mail Tribune. A livestream of the 10 a.m. service can be viewed at bit.ly/3QZ6U6T

Closures

All recreation sites along the Rogue River from Hog Creek to Russian Creek have been closed.

Josephine County Parks has closed Hog Creek County Park, Indian Mary Park and Campground, Ennis Riffle County Park and Alameda County Park and Campground.

The Bureau of Land Management has closed Hog Creek, Hellgate Overlook, Stratton Creek, Rainbow, Carpenter Island, Rocky Bar, Robert Dean, Chair, Rand, Smullin Visitor Center, Argo and Grave Creek, according to a news release.

The Rogue River is closed to boating from Hog Creek downstream. Boaters will not be able to put in or take out from the Hog Creek Boat Ramp downstream to Grave Creek. Robertson Bridge County Park is the furthest downstream take-out available to boaters.

Statesman Journal reporters Shannon Sollitt, Skyla Patton and Zach Urness, and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Ben Lonergan is a multimedia journalist with The Register-Guard. He can be reached at blonergan@registerguard.com.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Oregon governor declares statewide emergency as Rum Creek Fire doubles