Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Single Publication

Settings - change map background and toggle additional layers
Filter - control incident types displayed on map.
Zoom to your location
Reset map zoom and position

Could not determine your location.

  • wildfire Wildfire
  • prescribed fire Prescribed Fire
  • burned area emergency response Burned Area Response
  • other type Other

Rum Creek Fire

Share this incident
Facebook Twitter Email

Unit Information

Medford District 
Oregon 
Oregon 
0 
Medford District 
Oregon 
Oregon 
0 

Incident Contacts

  • Public Information
    Email:
    2022.rumcreek@firenet.gov
    Phone:
    541-625-0849
    Hours:
    10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • BLM Grants Pass
    Phone:
    541-471-6500

Rum Creek Fire Daily Update for Friday, September 16th

Rum Creek Fire
Publication Type: News 09/17/2022

Rum Creek Fire suppression repair continues

MERLIN, Ore. – Fire personnel and heavy equipment continue to make progress on suppression repair at the Rum Creek Fire. Most repair work on contingency lines is expected to be completed by Sunday or Monday. Some of the steeper dozer lines, including on the south side of the fire, will take a little longer to stabilize.

Additional heavy equipment, including a skidder, a processor and eleven excavators, were brought in to help with repair work. The skidder moves trees cut during fire line construction to accessible locations. The processor strips branches off these trees, cuts trunks into shorter lengths, and stacks the trees for later removal. The branches stripped from cut trees are scattered over bare soils to help stabilize soils. Excavators have multiple uses during repair work. They dig waterbars, scatter vegetation over bare soils, and move logs and other heavy debris. In some areas, dozers building fire lines pushed soil and debris down steeper slopes, where it has the potential to slide into streams. An excavator can reach out and scoop much of this material, pulling it back up the slope to a more stable location.

Yesterday, a helicopter reconnaissance flight verified that the fire was not threatening any containment lines. Some hotter areas were noted, which fire personnel will check today. They will determine if further actions are needed, such as water drops from helicopters.

Evacuations: Some areas of the fire are still under Level 2 (Be Set - Prepare to leave at a moment's notice) Evacuation notices. Please visit: https://rvem.org/ for more information and an interactive map.

Road Closures: Josephine County Sheriff’s Office has established traffic access points around the fire zone. Only residents (must show proof of residency) and permitted users will be allowed through. Road blocks are located at:
· Galice Road north of junction with Bear Camp Road;
· Peavine East Road at Bear Camp Road;
· Peavine West Road at Upper Bear Camp Road;
· Quartz Creek Road about 3 miles up (end of County maintenance);
· Stratton Creek Road at Galice Road;
· Hog Creek Road at Galice Road;
· Lower Grave Creek Road at Angora Creek (Grays Ranch);
· Grave Creek Road at the bridge by Grave Creek Boat Ramp. The Reuben Mountain Road between Lower Grave Creek Road and Dutch Henry Road is open, but grading and other repair work is obstructing this road. The public is asked to stay off the Reuben Mountain Road until repair work is completed.

Recreation Area Closures:

·        Rainie Falls Trail is closed.

·        Rogue River Trail is closed from Grave Creek to Russian Creek. 

·        Rogue River is closed from Ennis Riffle to Grave Creek boat ramp. Permitted boaters can still put in at Grave Creek. 

·        On the closed section of Galice Road, Smullin Visitor Center, Argo Recreation Site and Boat Ramp, and Galice Boat Ramp are closed.

River status: The Rogue River is open to boating down to Ennis Riffle, but closed between Ennis Riffle and Grave Creek boat ramp. Boats must pull out of the water at Indian Mary or Ennis Riffle County Park. The Wild section of the Rogue River below Grave Creek will remain open unless fire conditions warrant closure. River status is determined on a day-to-day basis. Please call 541-471-6535 for more information.
Related Information:
Attachment Size
pict20220816-140012-0.pdf (214.63 KB) 214.63 KB
Return to top