Local News

Oregon's wildfire response continues to evolve with the Department of Forestry's recent addition of regional air attack and ongoing investment in severity aircraft. Air attack is the airplane and crew that fly above a wildfire to coordinate aircraft and groundwork to stop a fire -- a flying air traffic control center. Air attack has three primary responsibilities -- keeping firefighters safe, ensuring accurate drops of water and retardant, and giving incident commanders a clear picture of the fire. Recent investments by Oregon's legislature gave ODF two regional air attack teams. The regional air attack builds on the "severity aircraft" program to better use state resources. Over the past couple of decades, the legislature has continued investing in firefighters and technology that return great results. ODF Director of Fire Operations Kyle Williams said the regional air attack and severity aircraft give the agency a huge advantage and both are excellent investments. He said they help them fight wildfires with surgical precision.

 

Due to recent and forecasted high temperatures along with increasing fire danger, the Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management has implemented additional public use restrictions on lands it manages in Southern Oregon. As of today, the Medford BLM District has moved to "extreme" fire danger. Campfires are no longer allowed anywhere on the District including Hyatt Lake Campground. Visitors can use portable cooking stoves that use liquefied or bottled fuels. Propane fire pits with an on/off valve are permitted in areas free of vegetation. Otherwise, campfires or any other type of open fire -- including the use of charcoal briquettes -- are prohibited. Smoking is only allowed while inside a vehicle or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is clear of flammable vegetation. Operating any motor vehicle and parking off-road is only allowed on roadways clear of vegetation. Using fireworks, exploding targets or tracer ammunition is prohibited. Using a chainsaw, welding or operating a torch with an open flame is prohibited. Visitors to BLM-administered public lands are also required to carry tools with them to ensure small fires can be put out quickly including a shovel and at least one gallon of water or a 2.5-pound fire extinguisher. Violation of these restrictions can result in a fine up to $100,000 and/or one year in prison.

 

With triple-digit temperatures and dry fuels, the City of Grants Pass has followed the Oregon Department of Forestry in declaring extreme fire danger. The primary difference between high fire danger and extreme fire danger affects the public use of power-driven equipment such as chainsaws and mowers. As of 12:01 a.m. today, the use of power-driven equipment, grinding and cutting of metal, and other spark-emitting equipment -- such as wood-splitters and generators -- is prohibited in areas of flammable vegetation. The mowing of dry, cured grass with power machinery may not take place at any time. Mowing of green lawns is still allowed. Open wood-fueled fires -- including campfires, cooking fires and warming fires --inside the city limits are prohibited, except at locations designated by the Grants Pass Fire Marshal. Wood smokers, charcoal barbecues as well as propane- and natural gas-fueled ornamental fires are allowed. Motor vehicles -- including motorcycles and ATVs -- are only allowed on improved roads free of flammable vegetation, except for the culture and harvest of agricultural crops. The City Fire Marshal or an authorized representative may -- in writing -- approve a modification or waiver of these requirements.

 

The Rogue Community College Foundation is now accepting nominations for its 2025 Outstanding Alumni Award, which honors graduates who have made meaningful contributions to their profession, community or the world. Established in 2008, the RCC Outstanding Alumni Award celebrates graduates who have made a lasting impact -- whether through career success, community leadership or service to others -- after earning a degree or certificate from RCC. Nominations are open through August 25th. To be eligible, nominees must have completed a certificate or degree at RCC and meet at least one of the following criteria: demonstrated success in their business, profession or vocational field; or made significant contributions to their community through civic involvement, volunteerism, public service or other humanitarian efforts. Anyone may submit a nomination. The 2025 recipient will be honored during the RCC President's Circle Reception in September. The nomination form and more details are available at "roguecc.edu/foundation."

 

Multiple agencies battled a three-alarm barn fire that spread to hay and vegetation near Cave Junction late yesterday. On Sunday at 5:20 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District, Oregon Department of Forestry, Grants Pass Fire & Rescue and American Medical Response were dispatched to the structure fire in the 200-block of Smith Sawyer Road. Arriving units found a fully-involved barn with other structures at risk. Second and third alarms were initiated that brought additional assistance from the US Forest Service and Grayback Forestry. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office and Oregon State Police assisted with traffic control. Rogue Valley Task Force 2 from Jackson County was placed on standby. By 6:05 p.m., firefighters had knocked down the wildland portion of the blaze while structural crews remained engaged on the barn fire. Air resources arrived on scene to assist. By 6:45 p.m., resources were lining and mopping up the fire which was GPS-mapped at just over 2-1/2 acres. By 7:25 p.m., the fire was 90% lined and 40% mopped up. No injuries were reported and no homes were damaged during the fire. The cause is under investigation.

 

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest responded to four new fire starts over the weekend. Three of the fires were located on the High Cascades Ranger District near Butte Falls and one was on the Wild Rivers Ranger District about three miles northwest of Wonder. The Juniper Fire located Friday east of Willow Lake was contained at just under one acre. The Willow Fire located Saturday east of Willow Lake was contained at 1/4-acre. The Cedar Fire located Sunday east of Willow Lake was contained at one acre. The Slate Fire located Saturday near Wonder was contained at 1/4-acre. With no recent storm activity in the region and no identified lightning strikes, these fires were likely human-caused. Specific causes of the fires are under investigation. Forest officials urged anyone in the woods to use extreme care to avoid any spark that could start a fire. Conditions in the forests are extremely dry, relative humidity is exceptionally low and temperatures continue to climb. Please report suspicious or careless activity in local forests to law enforcement.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a suspect wanted for alleged sex crimes with a minor following a weekend contact near the downtown area. The Police Department reports officers arrested 45-year-old Chance Farlin Sillers at the Pacific Pride station in the 600-block of NE 7th Street on Saturday at 11:40 p.m.. Police said they spotted Sillers at the station and knew that he was wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for Luring a Minor. The warrant was confirmed and the suspect was taken to GPPD headquarters for questioning. Sillers was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and he was being held on $25,000 bail. Switched license plates on the minivan he was driving were removed and returned to the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles.

 

The Oregon State Police was investigating a weekend assault that occurred in the Cave Junction area. OSP reports troopers responded to a report of a man being assaulted by another man near milepost 26 of Redwood Highway on Friday at 8:16 p.m.. Troopers said an investigation determined that the altercation occurred due to the suspect being trespassed by the property owner who was identified as a 26-year-old Central Point man. They said the suspect attacked the property owner by hitting him over the head with a metal water bottle and then fleeing the scene. According to OSP, the victim was injured and requested medical attention -- but he denied transport to the hospital. Once he is located, the suspect -- who was tentatively identified as a 56-year-old Grants Pass man -- will be criminally charged with 2nd-Degree Attempted Assault.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man on an out-of-state felony warrant following a weekend traffic stop and foot pursuit near the Grants Pass Shopping Center. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies placed 30-year-old Robert Anthony Dale into custody at the Beacon Drive McDonald's on Sunday morning. Deputies said they pulled over a Ford F-250 with California plates driven by Dale near the intersection of the Grants Pass Parkway and NE F Street. They said they knew was wanted on a Del Norte, California, County felony warrant for Probation Violation related to a property crime arrest. Dale reportedly bailed out of the pickup and ran, but he was tackled to the ground and placed into handcuffs for the short ride to the Josephine County Jail. Dale was booked into jail on the warrant plus new charges of Resisting Arrest, Attempted Escape and Methamphetamine Possession. He was being held without bail pending extradition to Crescent City.