The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest continues to work toward containment and full suppression of 19 new fire starts that have been located since lightning storms moved through southwest Oregon late last week. US Forest Service officials said last night that 18 of the fires are now contained, controlled or completely out. The remaining wildfire -- the Kilgore Fire on the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District three miles northeast of Applegate Lake -- was nearing full containment at 4 acres. There is line constructed around 70% of the fire, and aircraft were able to use water and retardant to hold the rest of the perimeter in check. Vanquished incidents on the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District included the Whiskey Fire at the top of Whiskey Peak, the Elliott Fire west of Lilly Mountain, the Cougar Fire northwest of the Stein Butte Trailhead and the Hansen Fire. On the Wild Rivers Ranger District, the Hansen Fire 4-1/2 miles west of Cave Junction was contained at 3/10ths of an acre. The McDonald Fire was also contained. On the High Cascades Ranger District, the contained and controlled incidents included the Sam Fire, Mill Fire, Oak Fire, Lodgepole Fire, Giant Fire, Parker Fire, Bear Fire, Doe Fire, Fish Fire, Rock Fire and Garwood Fire. Forest officials said air and ground reconnaissance is ongoing as they work with their partners from the Oregon Department of Forestry and Medford BLM District to locate and suppress any new starts.
