Growth of Jack Fire Slows, Now 10,937 Acres

The growth of the Jack Fire slowed on Saturday, increasing just 1,604 acres. The fire is now 10,937 acres in size and remains at 10% containment. For comparison, the Bootleg fire down in the Klamath area grew approximately 67k acres yesterday and is now 143,590 acres as of 11 pm last night. Hot, dry, and gusty conditions will be around for several more days in southern Oregon. Cooler temps and normal summer weather can be expected mid-week before another heat wave arrives next weekend. Smoke Forecast from NWS Medford: "The other big thing to discuss in the forecast for today is the smoke. Have updated the forecast with the latest thoughts on how smoke will move. Winds are shifting from east to west in a diurnal cycle much like a sloshing wave in a bathtub, and this is pushing the smoke with it. However, at peak smoke production in the afternoon, expect winds from the west or northwest to push the smoke toward the east or southeast. This smoke has prompted the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to issue an Air Quality Alert for portions of southern Oregon." For the full forecast discussion: https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/getprod.php?new&prod=XXXAFDMFR&wfo=mfr Sunday Morning Update from Incident Command: Fire information: The Jack Fire is currently estimated at 10,937 acres and is 10% contained. In the northwest section of the fire near Steamboat, crews have completed handling and conducted mop-up 20 feet inside of the perimeter along the 4713 Road. Mop-up involves seeking out and cooling of heat sources. Today these crews will maintain, secure, and mop up the line moving to the east utilizing dozers, handling, and hose lays. On the western edge of the fire, resources continue to brush out vegetation while holding and securing the line along the river and HWY 138. On the eastern flank, crews continue burning vegetation along containment lines moving south towards Dry Creek. In the southeast, near Dry Creek, resources have burned vegetation along containment lines to connect the 4760 Road to the areas that have been cleared of vegetation near Dry Creek and Illahee Road. The most active area of the fire is south of the river and HWY 138. Firefighters have established locations that are suitable for containment lines while providing for firefighter safety. Crews working on all sections of the fire face steep terrain and poison oak-related difficulties. Structures: Structure crews and Douglas Forest Protective Association continue to support fire operations in the Dry Creek area creating defensible space on private property and assessing structures for fuel removal. Task forces are also moving east along HWY 138, scouting additional homes and buildings for fire prevention groundwork. To date, firefighters have successfully protected the community with zero structure loss. Aviation: Yesterday, four Type 1 helicopters and one Type 3 helicopter provided support to ground crews in the afternoon. A strong smoke inversion Friday morning created poor visibility and prevented aircraft from flying until later in the day. Evacuations: All Forest Service campgrounds (Apple Creek, Horseshoe Bend, and Eagle Rock) are on Level 3 evacuation GO order. The Dry Creek community as well as all residences on the Illahee Road are also in the Level 3 evacuation GO order. Level 2 SET evacuations were issued from mile marker 38-43. This includes the Steamboat Inn and residences located on Brindle Bug Road, Steelhead Caddis Road, and residences and businesses located between milepost 51-55 on Highway 138E. Closures: Oregon 138E (North Umpqua Highway) MP 38-55: OR138E remains closed due to the Jack Fire between Steamboat and Slide Creek. ODOT has set an eastside ‘soft closure’ checkpoint at Lemolo Lake junction to allow for local access into nearby recreation areas, including Lemolo Lake. Jack Fire Statistics Acres: 10,937 Containment: 10% Personnel: 781 Date of Ignition: 7/5/2021 Cause of Fire: Under Investigation Structures Threatened: 243 Injuries: 8 Aircraft: 4 Dozers: 5 Engines: 44 More info to come as it is released.