ODF Continues to Aggressively Attack More Than 72 Fires Sparked by Lightning

The Oregon Department of Forestry is continuing to aggressively attack wildfires that were sparked by lightning on Monday night across Jackson and Josephine counties. As of this morning, a total of 72 fires had been identified on ODF-protected lands in the two-county region. Since the start of the thunderstorms, firefighters have worked nonstop to respond to all reports of fire, keeping them as small as possible. Due to the sheer volume of local incidents and the potential for holdover fires, ODF Incident Management Team 3 will move in today to take a portion of the fires off the district's plate, allowing local firefighters to focus on a smaller number of lingering fires and be ready for any new reports that could come in. Last night, ODF crews remained engaged on fires in both counties, the largest being the Neil Creek Fire located south of Ashland and west of Interstate 5. It was estimated to be 250 acres and forced the closure of one lane of southbound I-5 overnight between mileposts 8.5 and 10.5. The fire also prompted the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management to place Level 2 evacuation notices into effect for residents in the surrounding area. The second largest fire is the Deming Gulch Fire located northeast of Buncom, which was estimated to be 200 acres this morning. Other large incidents included the Heppsie Mountain Fire located south of Highway 140 near Lake Creek, the Poole Hill Fire located south of the Heppsie Mountain Fire, the Jim Me Peak Fire located south of Applegate and the Palmer Peak Fire also located near Applegate. Across all incidents, 435 personnel are working today. ODF firefighters have successfully extinguished 11 fires in the district including the Pompadour Fire in the hills east of Ashland that was halted at 38 acres. ...Read more

OHCS Awarding Over $8.7 Million in Down Payment and Repair Help for Veterans

Oregon Housing and Community Services is awarding more than $8.7 million to eligible organizations representing 27 counties to support veterans through down payment assistance and home repair funds. Eleven organizations from Portland to Josephine County were awarded down payment assistance funds. Eligible veterans and their families at or below 100% of area median income can qualify for up to $60,000 depending on specific program guidelines. In addition, an amount up to 10% of the down payment assistance can be used for lender-required repairs. Six organizations also were awarded home repair funds, which assist homeowners who are veterans and are at risk of living in unhealthy homes or who are subject to potential displacement due to health and safety concerns. This allows veterans to enjoy the benefits of living in habitable, safe, healthy and sustainable homes. Homeowners who are veterans can apply for these resources to address issues such as accessibility/adaptability modifications, updates to code compliance, emergency repairs and repairs for structural integrity. OHCS acknowledges those families of veterans who helped shoulder the weight of war and the burdens of sacrifice, so these resources have been expanded to include serving the spouse of a deceased veteran. Community in Action is one of the organizations that received funds for both down payment assistance and health and safety repairs. For more information, please visit "oregon.gov/ohcs." ...Read more

RR School District Receives Cow Creek Foundation Grant for Student Health Center

The Rogue River School District has announced that it has received a $15,000 grant from the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation to support the development of a Student Health Center at the district's Early Learning and Wellness Center. The generous award -- the Foundation's maximum grant amount -- reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to affordable, community-centered health care for the local school district's youngest and most vulnerable students. Rogue River Superintendent Patrick Lee said they are grateful to the Cow Creek Foundation for their investment in the well-being of their children and families. He said the partnership helps ensure that health care is not a barrier to learning, growth and success for students in Rogue River and Wimer. The Student Health Center will serve as vital resource for local children, providing accessible medical and behavioral health services in a convenient setting. It's slated to open and begin serving students in September. ...Read more