The Salt Creek Fire in Jackson County is heading toward full containment and a team transition is now underway.
The Oregon Department of Forestry reported this morning that the wildfire burning between Eagle Point and Butte Falls was 4,102 acres with containment at 73%.
Due to this progress, ODF Incident Management Team #1 is beginning the process of transitioning the fire back to the local districts to continue working the incident. During this time, resources will begin to demobilize, allowing some personnel and equipment to be reassigned to other wildfires burning across the state.
With this transition, 961 personnel were assigned to the fire today including 37 20-person hand crews backed by 28 engines, 17 water tenders and seven bulldozers. Aircraft -- including four Type 1, one Type 2 and two Type 3 helicopters as well as single-engine air tankers -- will be ordered if necessary.
These resources will continue to mop up into the interior of the fire and get as much of the blaze contained as possible before turning it to back over to the local ODF districts.
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office canceled the Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notices for Zones JAC-19 and JAC-21, but the rest of the notices remain in effect. The Medford District BLM has temporarily closed its lands in the area for safety.
The Salt Creek Fire was first reported on July 7th. The estimated cost of the firefight was $11.8 million this morning. The cause remains under investigation.
