RR-Siskiyou National Forest Working Toward Full Suppression of 19 New Fire Starts

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. ...Read more

GP Police and Firefighters Busy Protecting Community in Week Leading Up to Fair

Grants Pass police officers and firefighters were busy protecting the community during the week that included the first two days of the Josephine County Fair. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 661 calls for service along with 218 officer-initiated calls last week which resulted in 53 arrests, 30 citations, 42 warnings and 13 highly-intoxicated people being lodged at the Sobering Center. Cubic also reported that officers conducted a total of 55 traffic stops in the city and they made 16 referrals to the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS). The GPPD Community Response Team (CRT) made contact with 17 potential troublemakers while arresting one person, citing four more and warning nine others. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 106 calls last week including 42 for emergency medical service, two reports of fire or smoke, 16 lift assists, 11 rescue situations, 10 assists to other agencies and seven false alarms The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center fielded a total of 1,237 emergency calls last week. ...Read more

Pacific Power Foundation Awards 6 Grants to Jackson & Josephine Organizations

The Pacific Power Foundation is proud to provide grant funds and support to 89 nonprofits and community organizations that are expanding access to quality STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and strengthening learning opportunities in the communities it serves. These education and STEM grants are made through one of four grant cycles offered by the Pacific Power Foundation each year. The foundation supports a wide range of organizations. Four grants were awarded in Jackson County to Medford School District 549C to help North Medford High School rebuild its gym after the school's roof collapsed under 700,000 pounds of snow as well as to the YMCA of Medford, Beyond the Fence and 71Five. Two grants were awarded in Josephine County to Wildlife Images Rehabilitation & Education Center for a youth education camp and to the Applegate Partnership & Watershed Council to support an environmental education program for youth. ...Read more