Crews Stop New Grants Pass Fire as Mop-Up Advances on Larger Incidents
A new Grants Pass fire was held to one acre as containment improved on two larger Southern Oregon fires.
Fire Facts
New Start:
A grass fire near Northeast Greenfield Road in Grants Pass was stopped at one acre Monday afternoon.
Response:
ODF, Rural Metro Fire, and Grants Pass Fire lined the perimeter, protected nearby structures, and used helicopter bucket drops.
Larger Fires:
The I-5 MM 57 NB Fire remains at 96 acres. The East Evans Creek Fire is 15,580 acres and 95% contained.
Fire Conditions:
Crews made progress during Red Flag conditions while preserving local resources for new fire starts.
GRANTS PASS, Ore. — Firefighters stopped a new grass fire along Interstate 5 near Northeast Greenfield Road on Monday while crews continued securing two much larger fires elsewhere in Southern Oregon.
The new fire began as a Red Flag Warning brought hot, dry, and windy conditions capable of causing fires to spread quickly. Despite the critical weather, firefighters held the Greenfield Road fire to one acre.
Two vehicles were involved, and nearby structures were threatened as crews from the Oregon Department of Forestry, Rural Metro Fire, and Grants Pass Fire attacked the flames.
A Type 2 helicopter made bucket drops while firefighters established a hose line around the entire perimeter. Additional support included water tenders and other ground resources.
By the final update at 4:05 p.m., forward progress had been stopped. The fire was 100% lined and 50% mopped up, and all threatened structures had been protected.
The cause remains under investigation.
I-5 MM 57 FIRE MOVES DEEPER INTO MOP-UP
Interior Smoke: Light smoke rises from the burned forest inside the I-5 MM 57 NB Fire perimeter as crews continue mop-up. Oregon Department of Forestry.
Several miles away, firefighters made substantial overnight progress on the 96-acre I-5 MM 57 NB Fire, which began Saturday afternoon on a steep slope north of Grants Pass.
Cooler temperatures and improved overnight humidity allowed crews to double the depth of mop-up work around the perimeter from about 50 feet to approximately 100 feet.
Mop-up involves searching for and extinguishing burning material inside the fireline. Increasing that depth creates a wider buffer between remaining heat and unburned vegetation outside the perimeter.
Crews spent the night extinguishing hotspots and securing the fire’s edge before Monday’s return of strong winds, low humidity, and elevated fire danger.
Florida Forest Service Incident Management Team 1 assumed command of the incident at 6 a.m. Monday. The transition allows the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District to return more local firefighters and equipment to initial-attack readiness while the incident management team continues suppression work.
Monday’s priorities included keeping the fire within its established lines, removing hazardous trees and snags, and continuing mop-up in the steep, heavily timbered terrain.
Four 20-person hand crews, one 21-person crew, four engines, two water tenders, one dozer, three skid units, and a falling module were assigned to the fire. Aircraft were also available if needed.
Skid units are small firefighting vehicles equipped with water tanks and pumps. Their compact size allows crews to reach narrow roads and steep areas that larger engines cannot safely access.
A reconnaissance flight was planned to search for remaining areas of heat or concern.
Both northbound lanes of Interstate 5 have reopened, but the shoulder remains closed through the fire area. Drivers should slow down and watch for firefighters and equipment working near the highway.
The fire’s cause remains under investigation.
EAST EVANS CREEK FIRE REACHES 95% CONTAINMENT
Mop-Up Work: Firefighters dig through burned soil and debris while searching for remaining heat on the East Evans Creek Fire. Oregon Department of Forestry.
Containment on the East Evans Creek Fire increased to 95% Monday following another day of mop-up operations.
The fire remains at 15,580 acres.
Firefighters continued searching for hotspots, removing hose and equipment from completed areas, and repairing locations affected by suppression work.
An infrared-equipped drone was used to identify remaining heat along the northern portion of the fire. Ground crews then searched those areas and extinguished hotspots hidden beneath vegetation or other material.
Some light smoke may remain visible inside the fire perimeter as isolated pockets of larger fuel continue to burn.
Crews also continued suppression repair, including restoring areas used during firefighting operations and using chippers to process brush and small trees.
A full East Evans Creek Fire update is expected Wednesday morning.
Temporary Flight Restrictions remain in effect over both major fire areas. Unauthorized drones can force firefighting aircraft to stop operating and create serious safety risks for pilots and crews on the ground.
Residents should continue following all current fire restrictions during the Red Flag Warning and immediately report new smoke or fire by calling 911.
Cover Image: A firefighter sprays water through a fence while crews work to contain the one-acre Greenfield Road fire in Grants Pass. Oregon Department of Forestry.
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