Jefferson Daily News

Firefighters held established control lines overnight on the Fielder Mountain Fire, bringing the incident to approximately 90% lined. The fire is mapped at 548 acres and remains 7% contained as crews continue strengthening lines and mopping up near homes west of Rogue River.

The Wrights Spring Fire has reached 53,388 acres and 9% containment as crews prepare southern control lines for a potential firing operation. OSFM structure protection resources are entering their final shift, while several evacuation zones have been reduced as threats to homes continue to decline.

Michael Brinen Cutts was arrested less than 24 hours after Grants Pass police identified him as a person of interest in a major assault that left a man hospitalized. Police credit ALPR technology and regional law enforcement partnerships with helping shorten the search.

Overnight rain moderated conditions on the Wrights Spring Fire, giving crews time to reinforce containment lines before warmer, drier weather returns. The fire is 53,061 acres and 6% contained as structure protection resources scale back in northern areas and work continues along the south and southwest.

The Fielder Mountain Fire remains estimated at 550 acres and is now 7% contained as firefighters continue securing the perimeter north of Rogue River. Crews have completed line around approximately 75% of the fire, with ODF Complex Incident Management Team 1 set to assume command Friday evening.

The Fielder Mountain Fire north of Rogue River has grown to an estimated 400 acres as night crews move into place and additional evacuations are issued. Fifteen hand crews, 14 engines, seven dozers, and other resources are working the fire after 11 aircraft supported suppression efforts Thursday.

Luis Puga-Mendoza, 42, has been sentenced to 12½ years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of first-degree sexual abuse involving two minor victims. The consecutive Measure 11 sentences must be served day-for-day without reductions.

Extreme fire conditions have prompted ODF to immediately close the Gilchrist and Sun Pass State Forests to the public. The closures affect more than 93,000 acres in Klamath County, with no reopening date announced.

The Wrights Spring Fire has reached 53,032 acres and 6% containment as crews increasingly move northern areas into patrol status. Structure protection and line construction remain focused farther south, while officials confirm one primary structure and three outbuildings were lost earlier in the incident.

Oregon flags are flying at half-staff today in honor of Jason Ensign, the Klamath Falls dozer operator killed while working on the Wrights Spring Fire. A public line-of-duty memorial service is scheduled Saturday at 11 a.m. at Henley High School, with a procession planned beforehand.

Multiple vehicles and trailers were damaged Tuesday after a fire broke out at a storage facility along East Vilas Road in Medford. Firefighters quickly knocked down the blaze before it could spread farther through the property. No injuries were reported.

The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office has ended its contract with Flock Safety and deactivated all 10 automated license plate reader cameras. Sheriff Dave Daniel cited public privacy concerns, potential Fourth Amendment implications, and recent vandalism.

The Wrights Spring Fire is now 52,531 acres and 5% contained with 761 personnel assigned. Crews report increasingly secure lines on the north end while firefighters work spot fires and build control line near Swan Lake Rim. An Air Quality Alert remains in effect for Klamath and Lake counties.

A 36 year old motorcyclist from Sisters was killed Sunday in a three vehicle crash on US 101 near Cape Ferrelo Viewpoint in Curry County. OSP says the motorcycle was traveling at a high rate of speed before striking a turning SUV.

A man wanted following an alleged carjacking, assault, and dangerous pursuit through Grants Pass was arrested Tuesday after barricading himself inside an RV near Cloverlawn. Police say citizen reports helped authorities locate him nearly two weeks after the July 30 incidents.

As the Wrights Spring Fire disrupts communities across Klamath County, food banks, volunteers, tribal programs, and local fundraisers are helping displaced families and animals. Residents are urged to check current needs and verify donation requests before giving.

The Wrights Spring Fire has grown to 51,687 acres as crews strengthen control lines across the incident. Fire officials report progress on the north end, while structure protection continues around Bly Mountain, Bliss Road, and Swan Lake. Evacuations remain widespread.

Mark Cruz, a citizen of the Klamath Tribes who grew up in Klamath Falls, has been confirmed to lead the Indian Health Service. Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, both Democrats, voted against the larger confirmation package that included Cruz.

A mother and three children younger than 10 were killed Sunday in an RV fire in rural Eagle Point. One other family member escaped with minor injuries, and investigators currently believe the fire was a non-criminal accident.

A body recovered from the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River is believed to be that of 65-year-old Reid Litwack, who disappeared after a rafting accident at Wildcat Rapid. Final identification remains pending.

Three people were killed and another seriously injured in two separate crashes reported by Oregon State Police in Lake and Curry counties. The crashes occurred on Highway 140 in Lake County and Highway 101 near Langlois.

The Wrights Spring Fire has grown to 46,769 acres after adding nearly 12,800 acres in 24 hours. Evacuations remain widespread across southern Klamath County, 555 personnel are assigned to the incident, and a large Fremont-Winema National Forest closure is now in effect.

The Wrights Spring Fire has grown to 33,970 acres and remains 0% contained after pushing east and southeast across Bliss Road near Round Mountain. Ten structural task forces are working across the incident as crews build control lines and expand structure protection around Sprague River.

A new wildfire near Crescent and Gilchrist is sending a large smoke column over northern Klamath County and has prompted Level 2 and Level 1 evacuation notices. A temporary evacuation point has been established at La Pine High School.

The Wrights Spring Fire is mapped at 19,290 acres and remains 0% contained west of Sprague River. Unified command is in place with 316 personnel assigned, expanded evacuations in effect, and eight OSFM task forces supporting structure protection.

Firefighters continue making progress on two southwest Oregon wildfires. The Woodrat Mountain Fire near Ruch remains at 282 acres and has reached 15% containment, while the 100 acre I-5 MM 57 NB Fire near Grants Pass is now 91% contained and nearing the end of active suppression.

A 47-year-old Klamath Falls man was killed while operating a bulldozer during firefighting operations on the Wrights Spring Fire. Officials say rapid fire growth cut off Jason Ensign’s escape route as crews worked near Yahwee Plateau.

Zach Patrick Moenaert was sentenced to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty to six felony sex crimes involving two children. Prosecutors said he abused the children over about six years and created numerous recordings documenting the abuse.

The Wrights Spring Fire has surged to approximately 8,722 acres east of Chiloquin as Level 3 “GO NOW” evacuations expand around the incident. Oregon has invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act, bringing additional structural firefighting resources to Klamath County.

Salt Creek Falls has reopened along Highway 58 after months of construction. New safety railings, a rebuilt restroom, and other improvements give travelers and hikers a safer, more reliable way to experience Oregon’s second-highest single-drop waterfall.