Thunderstorm Activity Sparks 4 Small Fires in Josephine & Jackson Counties
Thunderstorm activity in southwest Oregon late yesterday ignited at least four fires that were kept small by firefighters assisted by precipitation from the storms.
The Oregon Department of Forestry responded to at least three fires in Josephine County as a large thunderstorm cell rolled through late Thursday afternoon.
In an 8:45 p.m. update, ODF reported the Galice Road Fire was located on a steep slope near Ennis Riffle. Firefighters knocked down the active blaze and had 70% of the perimeter lined at an estimated 1/4-acre.
Resources also responded to the Reeves Creek Fire northeast of Kerby. Crews caught the fire at just under 1/4-acre and had it 95% lined by last night. Mop-up operations were expected to continue overnight.
Firefighters made good progress on the Chapman Creek Fire located southeast of Cave Junction. Resources held containment and extinguished hot spots on the fire that was GPS-mapped at about two acres.
One other lightning-sparked fire was reported in Jackson County near milepost 1 of Interstate 5. It was 5-feet by 5-feet in size and quickly extinguished.
A reconnaissance flight was completed across all strike areas before sunset and no additional smoke or fires were found. ODF officials said recon missions over these areas will continue this morning.
Posted on 8/1/25 6:44AM by Sam Marsh
