Local News

With dry conditions across the Pacific Northwest, Pacific Power is preparing its system to reduce wildfire risk.

As part of Pacific Power’s ongoing wildfire prevention efforts, the company is taking steps to protect the customers and communities. These include enhanced safety settings and protective equipment designed to automatically shut off power when lines come into contact with debris, wildlife, or strong winds.

During periods of extreme risk, the company may also temporarily de-energize power lines to reduce the likelihood of ignition or help limit the spread of active fires. These measures may lead to longer or more frequent outages for customers in some high-risk areas.

Customers can prepare for potential outages by ensuring their contact information is up to date to receive outage notifications, review backup power options, and assemble an emergency kit.

More information is available at PacificPower.net/Wildfire, and Oregon.gov/OSFM.

 

Progress continues on the Spencer Gulch Fire. Crews have mopped up 100 feet in from the perimeter lines overnight and completed most of the snagging within the first 300 feet to remove overhead hazards and improve safety around the line.

The Oregon Department of Forestry posted on their Southwest Oregon District page that, with this progress, containment has increased to 10%. The same resources assigned yesterday are on the fire again today, and last night’s staffing plan will remain in place for tonight’s shift as well.

Helicopter and air attack platforms are available today but are not expected to be needed based on current fire behavior. Another day of hot, dry fire weather conditions is expected, but crews are well prepared to continue strengthening containment lines and deepening mop up.

While crews continue making good progress on Spencer Gulch, they will also be ready to support initial attack across the district with any air or ground resources available.

 

Firefighters continue to make steady progress on the West Jones Creek Fire, which remains held at 17 acres after crews worked hard through the night to strengthen control lines and expand mop-up operations. The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District posted on Facebook, saying crews now have 50 to 75 feet mopped up in from the perimeter, and a hose lay installed last night is in place around the fire. Firefighters will use this access to further strengthen mop-up depth and secure the line throughout the day. Even with another round of hot, dry, and windy conditions expected, and the added challenge of steep terrain, crews are well-positioned to continue building on their strong overnight progress. Resources working the fire include four Type 6 engines, two 20-person hand crews, and one water tender. Firefighters will focus today on expanding mop-up, extinguishing remaining hot spots, and reinforcing containment.

 

Firefighters made progress yesterday on the Spencer Gulch Fire, working steadily through hot and dry conditions to deepen containment and secure the fire’s edge.

According to the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District, crews mopped in a solid 75 feet from the perimeter line around the entire fire, they also removed overhead snag hazards to improve safety for personnel working both day and night.

A helicopter dropped water to cool interior heat allowing crews to access deeper within the fire. Night resources included four 20-person crews, two engines, one dozer, one water tender, and aircraft working until daylight allows. Night shift continued strengthening containment lines, and searching for remaining heat.

All evacuation levels issued by the Jackson County Sheriff Oregon and Jackson County Emergency Management have been canceled. The fire remains 75 acres and is approximately 5% mopped up, with a hose line fully in place around the perimeter.

The official cause of the fire is still under investigation.

 

Emergency crews worked through the night to fight the Jones Creek Fire that broke out in the 800 block of Jones Creek Road. The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District Facebook page says firefighters are holding the fire at an estimated 17 acres. Night-shift resources were set in place, including two 20-person crews, four Type 6 engines, and one water tender. Crews worked through the night to extinguish hot spots and continue mop up operations. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office has downgraded evacuations, moving Level 3 “Go Now” areas to Level 1 “Be Ready.” Residents should continue to follow the Sheriff’s Office page for any further evacuation updates.

 

Emergency crews are currently battling the West Jones Fire that broke out in the 800 block of Jones Creek Road. A Level 3 - Go Now Evacuation Order is in effect for Zone JCU-422-B, and a Level 2 - Be Set Evacuation Warning is in effect for Zone JCU-422-A. According to the latest update from the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District, the fire is estimated at 8 to 10 acres. Crews are working hard and beginning to see strong progress with 70 percent of the fire knocked down and 50 percent of the perimeter wet lined despite hot, dry and windy conditions. One outbuilding, a shed was destroyed by the fire. Multiple aircraft are currently engaged, making bucket drops to support ground efforts.

 

The Grants Pass City Council moved 6-1 for a resolution to be drafted standing for the repeal or reformation of Senate Bill 48 during this morning's workshop. Councilman Rob Pell was the lone dissenting vote.

A presentation from Logic Compensation Group began the 11:45 a.m. meeting, covering the upcoming Salary and Compensation Study for Non-Bargaining Positions.

The group was chosen to helm the study which will run in four phases: Study Initiation from roughly June through October, Survey and Market Analysis from June through September, Report and Recommendations from September to October, then Ongoing support continuing from there.

Findings will be presented, per Council's request, as ranked market results, minimum and maximum rates, a competitiveness summary, and cost strategies. The study should not exceed the fixed fee of $27,500.

Council was then presented with a presentation for the potential implementation of a municipal court. Benefits like faster processing of city cases, greater responsiveness to community needs, and the ability to tailor court practices to local practices were mentioned.

The Court could be held in Council Chambers, the city would receive all fine revenue after $50 went to the State, and $16 would go to the County. Any remaining funding would need to come from the General Fund.

A motion to direct staff to come back with information regarding costs associated with a violation only municipal court and a misdemeanor municipal court passed unanimously

 

The fire danger level on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District will increase to “high”, and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level will increase to Level 2 Wednesday, June 17th, at 12:01 a.m. This increase is due to persistent hot temperatures and vegetation that continues to dry across Southwest Oregon. The change affects 1.8 million acres of state, private, county and Bureau of Land Management lands in Jackson and Josephine counties. The primary difference between current fire prevention restrictions and those beginning on Thursday affects the public use of power driven equipment, such as chainsaws, mowers, and weed eaters. The use of power driven equipment, grinding, cutting of metal, and other spark emitting equipment, such as wood splitters and generators, will be prohibited between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily. This does not apply to mowing green lawns. For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s fire season restrictions, contact the Grants Pass Unit at (541) 474-3152, or the Medford Unit at (541) 664-3328.

 

A man attempting to steal from Walmart was taken into custody by Grants Pass Police Sunday afternoon.

The suspect, later identified as Jacob Hamilton, passed all points of sale, making no attempt to pay for over $628 worth of merchandise from the 135 NE Terry Lane Store.

Loss prevention told dispatch that Hamilton got into a tan Toyota Avalon and left the scene without any of the items. Staff wished to pursue a charge of theft and trespass.

Responding officers were able to locate Hamilton's vehicle parked in an alley south of a property in the 400 block of NE D Street. Law enforcement contacted Hamilton, but he fled out the door of the property into his vehicle. He was again contacted and promptly taken into custody.

Officers transported Hamilton to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged on his charge of Second Degree Theft. He was later released on his own recognizance.