UPDATE at 10:38 a.m. on Thursday, July 26
A red flag warning has been issued for Southern Oregon, which could mean an active day of wildfires across the region.
Gusty winds, high temperatures and low humidity could bring a difficult day, fire officials said Thursday morning.
For the latest, see this update:
LATEST: Southern Oregon wildfires: Red flag warning issued as fire teams brace for dangerous day
UPDATE at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 25
Despite triple digit temperatures, fire crews made progress on the wildfires burning across southwest Oregon by Wednesday morning, particularly on the area's two most dangerous fires — Taylor Creek and Grave Creek fires.
Even so, smoke remained thick and air unhealthy in the Rogue Valley.
For the latest, see this story.
LATEST: Southern Oregon wildfires still growing, spewing hazardous smoke with no end in sight
UPDATE at 8 a.m. Tuesday, July 24:
The air quality in Southern Oregon was the worst in the nation Monday, and the rest of the week doesn’t look much better.
Officials recommended wearing a mask outdoors and said sensitive populations, such as small children and pregnant women, might consider leaving town.
LATEST: Southern Oregon wildfires still growing, spewing hazardous smoke with no end in sight
UPDATE at noon Monday, July 23:
Lightning activity Sunday remained over areas south of the Oregon/California border providing some relief and limiting the creation of any new fires.
Wildfire smoke lingering over the area brought down air quality across the region prompting an air quality advisory.
In addition, the Taylor Creek and Grave Crek fires continued to grow and spark new evacuations.
More: Southern Oregon fires: Air quality deteriorates, lightning stays south of border with California
UPDATE at 9:13 a.m. on Sunday, July 22
A red flag warning has been issued for part of Southern Oregon due to the possibility of lightning storms on Sunday.
The weather could make some fires worse, but could actually improve conditions on others, fire managers said.
Here's the latest story on the fires in Southern Oregon.
LATEST: As Southern Oregon wildfires grow, new lightning storms expected on Sunday
UPDATE at 7:14 a.m. on Friday, July 20
The wildfires in Southern Oregon brought unhealthy air quality to Medford and Ashland, and sparked a fourth evacuation area, as of Friday morning.
For the latest on all of the major fires burning, see this most updated story:
LATEST: Southern Oregon wildfires bring 'unhealthy' air quality, spark evacuations in four regions
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Original story posted on Thursday, July 19
The wildfires burning in southwest Oregon showed little signs of slowing Thursday morning, bringing declining air quality and evacuations.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown declared a statewide wildfire emergency to make Oregon National Guard (ONG) troops and resources available. Fire teams are battling more than 100 wildfires from Crater Lake to the South Coast.
The weather doesn’t appear to offer much relief, with temperatures remaining in the upper 90s and 100s across the southern half of the state.
"It will be hot and dry again today with winds shifting slightly to the north-northwest in
the afternoon," said Steve Ziel, Fire Behavior Analysist on the Garner Complex. "There will be critically low dry humidity at night and it maybe as low as today.”
"Firefighters will experience active fire behavior over night."
Air quality has been impacted the past two days, with levels ranging from unhealthy to moderate in the Medford, Grants Pass and Klamath Falls area.
For the most updated air quality map, check the Oregon Smoke Blog.
Here’s an update on where the major wildfires stand as of Thursday morning.
This story will be updated with new information throughout the day.
More: Substation Fire: One dead after trying to suppress wildfire near The Dalles, Oregon
More: Chetco Bar Fire: How a small blaze erupted into Oregon’s largest wildfire
Hendrix Fire
The wildfire burning southwest of Ashland forced evacuations of 35 homes in the Applegate Valley and Ruch area on Wednesday as it grew to 717 acres Thursday morning.
Fire teams have 5 percent of the fire contained but are projecting continued movement to the south that includes active fire behavior with short runs and spotting.
A level 3 evacuation, meaning “go now,” and a level 2 evacuation, meaning “get set to go” remains in effect. For details on the evacuation, see this post.
Taylor Creek Fire
The Taylor Creek Fire, which has brought a level 2 evacuation to areas west of Grants Pass, grew to 160 acres Thursday morning.
Additional resources of 10- and 20-person crews will be added to the fire today, officials said in a morning report. Additional aircraft will also be working the fire.
“Crews will be taking a direct and aggressive attack on the fire today,” a report from the Oregon Department of Forestry said. “They will be working to open a ridge line as a fire break today.”
For details on the evacuation, see this post.
Grave Creek Area Fires
This is a collection of nine wildfires about 15 miles north of Rogue River.
“The goal for all of these fires is to continue construction of fire lines around each fire and to catch the smaller ones with more resources arriving daily,” ODF officials said in a report late Wednesday.
The Pleasant Fire, responsible for a level 2 evacuation in the Wimer area, is 250 acres on very steep and rough terrain, officials said.
MORE: Ember research could help fight wildfires
“Fire fighters and equipment put in a hard day today battling the blaze as it pushed southward,” a report from ODF said. “This fire poses the biggest risk to the public.”
The Grave #3 Fire is the largest of the group at 500 acres.
“It’s in extreme rough terrain where dozers are working to establish control lines,” officials said in a news release.
The Section 14 Fire is estimated at 120 acres and had access roads and dozer lines started.
The King’s Mountain Fire has a secure line around 10 acres.
The Swamp Fire had fallers working to remove hazard trees.
Spencer Creek Fires
There are three fires burning in this complex, located about 12 miles south of Grants Pass and 4 miles from Williams.
The largest is estimated at 212 acres, according to reports Wednesday night.
"The goal is to complete a fire line around all three and hold the fire inside the perimeters," ODF said.
Natchez Fires
The Natchez Fire, located 15 miles south of Cave Junction, is estimated to be approximately 300 acres and has grown to the south in California, fire teams reported.
Two fires located on the north end of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness are also managed by the team.
The Klondike Fire is approximately 370 acres and the Granite Fire is approximately 55 acres.
"Smokejumpers disengaged from fires (on July 18) due to safety concerns, but are planning to re-engage and actively suppress the fires today," a report said.
Power Line #33, which runs from Cave Junction, OR to Happy Camp, CA is threatened, but currently not impacted.
Sugar Pine Fire
The Sugar Pine Fires include 12 different wildfires burning in the Southern Cascades west of Crater Lake National Park, and west and east of Highway 62.
However, Highway 62 is not threatened.
The largest fires of the group include Sugar Pine Fire at 125 acres, which has shown little growth recently, and Round Top Fire at 100 acres with several spot fires across the FS 600 Road.
All of the other fires are smaller than 15 acres as of Thursday afternoon.
South Umpqua Complex
There are seven wildfires burning in the South Umpqua complex, located southeast of Roseburg, totaling around 500 acres, Thursday morning reports said.
There are roughly 300 firefighters working the fire.
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