The Oregon Department of Forestry is reporting containment has reached 58% on the Salt Creek Fire burning between Eagle Point and Butte Falls.
According to ODF, the wildfire that was first reported on July 7th was 4,102 acres this morning and the estimated cost to battle the blaze had risen to $10.1 million.
ODF Incident Management Team #1 said the northern portion of the fire has 300 feet of cold black adjacent to the fire-line in most areas, and crews are beginning to remove hose and other equipment while patrolling and monitoring the fire. Crews in other areas of the fire continue to locate hot spots and mop up burning fuels.
Crews are also conducting repair activities such as minimizing soil erosion and protecting water quality across the wildfire area. On steep slopes, water bars will be placed on control lines and roads to divert water to minimize soil disturbance. Soil berms made during fire-line construction are now being dispersed.
More than 1,000 personnel are still assigned to the fire today including 41 20-person hand crews backed by 30 engines, 19 water tenders, seven bulldozers and seven tree-fallers. Released resources may return to their home units or be reassigned to other wildfire incidents across the state.
Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notices issued by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management have been dropped. The Medford District BLM has temporarily closed its lands in the fire area for public safety.
ODF officials said the cause of the Salt Creek Fire remains under investigation.
