A vegetation fire behind Home Depot in Klamath Falls grew to about a half-acre Thursday afternoon, with flames estimated at 20 feet high threatening nearby homes and vehicles. Firefighters contained the blaze as gusty winds, very low humidity, and extreme fire danger affected the region.

Klamath County Fire District 3 has voted unanimously to end its ambulance service, citing costs that insurance billing does not cover. The former service area will be divided among Chiloquin, Klamath County Fire District 1, and Basin Ambulance, with longer response times expected in some areas.

Firefighters from Medford Fire, Jackson County Fire District 3, and Jacksonville Fire Department knocked down a large structure fire Wednesday evening in west Medford. Crews faced water supply challenges, and West Main Street was temporarily closed during the response.

A 39-year-old White City man died Tuesday night after becoming unresponsive during a Jackson County sheriff’s DUII arrest near Table Rock Road and Orr Drive. Medford Police is leading the outside investigation, while autopsy and toxicology results remain pending.

A witness pulled a pilot away from a burning aircraft Thursday morning after the plane crashed near Hill Road and Crystal Springs Road in Klamath Falls. The pilot suffered major injuries and was transported to Sky Lakes Medical Center.

Jackson County sheriff’s detectives are investigating the death of a 2-year-old child in rural Central Point. The child was reported missing around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday and was found deceased about an hour later along Blackwell Road.

A 68-year-old man died Monday afternoon after his vehicle left Coyote Creek Road near Wolf Creek and struck a large tree. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office identified the driver as Mark Freeland.

Klamath County Fire District 1 firefighters rescued a dog and searched a Lincoln Street home Sunday after reports the resident might still be inside. Crews arrived within four minutes and confirmed no one was in the residence.

Two Grants Pass residents were arrested after an early morning fight Saturday left two people injured after they were struck with a crowbar. Police say one suspect was taken into custody immediately, while the second was found hours later inside a nearby apartment.

A 20-year-old Medford man was arrested Monday on rape and sexual abuse charges following an investigation involving a 15-year-old girl. Jackson County sheriff’s detectives say they believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone with information to contact the Special Victims Unit.

The Picture Rock Fire is now mapped at 1,277 acres and 10% contained near Summer Lake. Officials say the lower acreage reflects more accurate mapping, not a reduction in the fire’s footprint. Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 evacuation orders remain in place.

Containment on the Fielder Mountain Fire has increased to 29% as firefighters continue deeper mop-up west of Rogue River. All remaining evacuation levels have been canceled, while crews shift more resources to daytime operations and continue removing hazard trees.

Firefighters are pushing deeper into mop-up on the Fielder Mountain Fire after completing control line around the entire perimeter. The fire is 18% contained and now mapped at 573 acres, with officials saying the acreage increase reflects improved mapping rather than new growth.

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.

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.

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.

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.