USFS Reports 23 New Lightning-Caused Fires on Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest

Firefighters have responded to 23 new lightning-caused fires and an additional 18 reports of smoke on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest since thunderstorms began moving through the area on Sunday. There have been more than 1,700 lightning strikes over the last three days. The US Forest Service reports all confirmed fires have firefighters engaged in suppression efforts. Hand crews, rappellers, smoke jumpers, engines, heavy equipment, water tenders and air resources are being utilized as needed. On the High Cascades Ranger District, the incidents were identified as the Knob, Brown Mountain, Bieberstedt, Golden, Woodruff, Short, Island, Cox, Dogwood, Robinson, Service, Bareface, Billie, Pole, Red, Lone Wolf, Burton, Charley, Weaver and Butte fires. On the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District, the incidents were identified as the Observation, Kettle and Buckhorn fires. Several of these fires were burning near the Pacific Crest Trail. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office issued a Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notice in Zone JAC-448 due to the McDonald Fire burning northwest of Mount Ashland. That fire has led to the closure of a section of the Pacific Crest Trail. Rural Metro Fire Department reported last night that there were no fires burning in Josephine County despite strong thunderstorm activity on the Jumpoff Joe Creek and Evans Valley divide. Smoke was drifting in from fires in Jackson County. ...Read more

SOREDI Receives $400K State Grant to Power Southern Oregon Innovation Hub

Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. (SOREDI), has been awarded a $400,000 grant from Business Oregon's Regional Innovation Hub -- Launch Track program to continue leading the Southern Oregon Innovation Hub through the 2025-2027 biennium. The Southern Oregon Innovation Hub (SOIH) fuels entrepreneurship and innovation across Jackson and Josephine counties, offering startups and founders access to technical assistance, capital, mentorship, networking and talent development. SOIH Director Kim Freeze said this bold investment from Business Oregon supercharges Southern Oregon entrepreneurial ecosystem and fuels innovation across the state. She said they're building a vibrant culture where big ideas thrive and empowering startups with the resources they need to succeed in this region. Southern Oregon Innovation Hub is one of eight organizations in the state to be selected to receive a share of $3.77 million in funding. SOREDI is the regional lead for SOIH. The private, nonprofit organization has been serving Jackson and Josephine counties since 1987. ...Read more

Extreme Heat Warning Brought Record High Temps to Grants Pass Last Weekend

Last night marked the end of the latest Extreme Heat Warning in southwest Oregon and it was one for the record books. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Grants Pass hit 106 degrees and smashed several long-standing high temperature records. The 106 degree mark on Friday replaced the former August 22nd record of 103 for Grants Pass that was set in 1896, 1942, 1964 and 1988. The 106 degree mark on Saturday replaced the former August 23rd record of 102 set in 1915, 1958 and 1964. The 106 degrees on Sunday replaced the August 24th record of 102 set in 1964. Monday's high temp of 104 in Grants Pass was one degree shy of the August 25th record of 105 set way back in 1916. The Extreme Heat Warning may be over, but it will still be hot in Grants Pass for the next few days. The National Weather Service is calling for a high temp of 102 degrees today followed by highs of 98 on Wednesday and 97 on both Thursday and Friday. ...Read more