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Rum Creek Fire will be tested again

MERLIN, Ore. – The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Tuesday afternoon and evening for the Rum Creek Fire area. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. The forecast calls for high temperatures, gusty winds and low relative humidity. These conditions may cause a fire to flare up, and promote rapid spread of fire.

In advance of this weather change, firefighters have worked aggressively to cool and contain the fire. Operations Section Chief Mike Carlson describes the fire’s status as: “We’ve got a line around it and we want to keep it there.”

Crews completed the last of the planned tactical firing operations Sunday night, tying the west line from Mount Peavine to the Rogue River. Firefighters have found small slop-overs in this section, and are securing these. Unburned islands in the Rum Creek and Montgomery Creek drainages continue to burn actively. Members of the Crane Valley Hotshots will be working and camping near this remote area to monitor the fire and suppress flare-ups or spot fires as needed. This includes calling in aerial drops of water and retardant if needed.

Firefighters continue to mop up residual heat near all fire lines. The goal is to have a cold strip of ground adjacent to the fire line with minimal residual fuel to carry fire past containment lines. Firefighters are mopping up, adding depth along the edges, as time permits to reduce the chance of fire escaping.

Water drops from aircraft are cooling flare-ups and hot areas near the fire’s edges, especially in areas not accessible by engines and far from streams. Retardant was dropped outside the fire lines in some areas to reduce the chance of spot fires outside the planned perimeter. At times, air operations have been restricted by limited visibility due to smoke.

Office of State Fire Marshal resources continue to mop up remaining hot spots near structures, cut hazard trees, and patrol areas along Galice Road. They are available to assist with other fire duties as needed.

Monday, fire personnel found one burned commercial structure and one additional minor structure.

Today, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 6 (NRIMT6) will be shadowing Northwest IMT 13 (NWIMT13), preparing for transfer of command of the Rum Creek Fire to ensure a smooth transition. NRIMT6 will assume management of the west side of the Rum Creek Fire tomorrow. Oregon Department of Forestry Team 1 (ODF1) will continue to manage the east side of the fire, operating under a unified command with NRIMT6.

Evacuations: Existing evacuation orders and notifications remain in place. An interactive map showing evacuation levels according to address can be found at //JosephineCounty.gov/FireMap. For the most current evacuation information and resources, go to Josephine County Incident Information (rvem.org).