Firefighters have responded to 23 new lightning-caused fires and an additional 18 reports of smoke on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest since thunderstorms began moving through the area on Sunday. There have been more than 1,700 lightning strikes over the last three days.
The US Forest Service reports all confirmed fires have firefighters engaged in suppression efforts. Hand crews, rappellers, smoke jumpers, engines, heavy equipment, water tenders and air resources are being utilized as needed.
On the High Cascades Ranger District, the incidents were identified as the Knob, Brown Mountain, Bieberstedt, Golden, Woodruff, Short, Island, Cox, Dogwood, Robinson, Service, Bareface, Billie, Pole, Red, Lone Wolf, Burton, Charley, Weaver and Butte fires.
On the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District, the incidents were identified as the Observation, Kettle and Buckhorn fires. Several of these fires were burning near the Pacific Crest Trail.
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office issued a Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notice in Zone JAC-448 due to the McDonald Fire burning northwest of Mount Ashland. That fire has led to the closure of a section of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Rural Metro Fire Department reported last night that there were no fires burning in Josephine County despite strong thunderstorm activity on the Jumpoff Joe Creek and Evans Valley divide. Smoke was drifting in from fires in Jackson County.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 1 to 9 p.m. today, bringing additional chances of thunder and lightning to southwest Oregon.
