LATEST: 350-acre Upper Applegate wildfire south of Ruch partially contained
Published 3:23 pm Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Update from ODF Southwest at 6:40 p.m.:
Firefighters are holding the fire around 350 acres and minimal growth has been seen since ODF’s last update.
The left flank of the fire is almost entirely lined with retardant and being followed up by the work of ground crews.
Fire activity has significantly decreased on portions of the right flank. The east side of the fire remains the most active.
Resources that will be working on the fire overnight are arriving and will be working on the area where the fire has been pushing forward. Tonight, their goal will be to stop forward progression as much as possible and hold the fire in its current footprint.
Structural resources are continuing to work around homes and provide protection.
For more information on evacuation notices, visit experience.arcgis.com/experience/2893aed1889647f6bbadbc67892b0e4d/page/Page.
See previous coverage below
Update from ODF Southwest at 5:05 p.m.:
The fire is now estimated to be at 350 acres.
Firefighters on the ground and air resources continue to engage in an aggressive attack. Retardant drops are continuing and helicopters are on a consistent rotation of water bucket drops on targeted areas.
Additional resources have been ordered to work through the night, and more resources are being lined up to relieve them tomorrow morning. Firefighters will remain engaged in an effort to stop the spread.
Four structural task forces from local agencies are working to protect homes.
See previous coverage below
Update from ODF Southwest at 4 p.m.:
The fire is now estimated to be 200 acres and growth continues to be driven by the wind, heat, steep terrain and dry vegetation.
Large Air Tankers have been able to make multiple drops of retardant to help create temporary fire lines and slow down the spread.
A Very Large Air Tanker has been ordered as well. Helicopters continue to do water bucket drops and firefighters on the ground are continuing to put in an aggressive initial attack.
Resources continue to arrive on scene. More information will be posted when available.
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An evacuation shelter has been set up at Jacksonville Elementary School, 655 Hueners Ln.
For more information on evacuation notices, visit experience.arcgis.com/experience/2893aed1889647f6bbadbc67892b0e4d/page/Page.
The HARTS Rescue organization is helping with livestock evacuation, and those needing assistance can call 541-690-9776 or 541-261-1361. A livestock shelter has also been set up at The Expo in Central Point, 1 Peninger Road.
See previous coverage below
The Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing two structural task forces from Lane and Marion counties through Immediate Response to the Upper Applegate Fire in Jackson County. The fire, estimated at 200 acres, was reported on Wednesday off Upper Applegate Road south of the town of Ruch.
Firefighters and resources from the Applegate Fire District, other Rogue Valley fire agencies, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Oregon Department of Forestry are on scene working to stop the fire. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, several air resources have been ordered including several helicopters and two large air tankers.
These two task forces being mobilized will be added capacity for the Applegate Fire District to provide added structural protection.
“This is our third mobilization this month, a clear signal that wildfire season is here,” State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “We need to do everything we can as Oregonians to be wildfire aware. This fire season has been devastating already with the tragic loss of homes in the Gorge and a second conflagration earlier this week in Jefferson County. Please help our firefighters by following local restrictions.”
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has issued levels 1, 2, and 3 evacuation notices for those living near the fire. Evacuation information can be found here.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal can send resources through Immediate Response without having the Emergency Conflagration Act invoked. The goal of this response tool is to surge resources to prevent costly wildfires.
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The fire is currently estimated to be 120 acres, and firefighters remain engaged in an aggressive initial attack.
Resources continue to arrive on scene and are being assigned where needed. Structural firefighters are working on protecting homes near the fire.
Upper Applegate Road is closed between Little Applegate Road and Hamilton Road while firefighters work in the area.
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management have issued evacuation notices, shared to our page. Follow their pages’ fire evacuation updates.
More information will be posted when available.
See previous coverage below
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department has issued a “Level 3 – GO NOW!” order for residents in and around the 2000 block of Upper Applegate Road for a wildfire that sparked Wednesday afternoon.
Residents are being told to leave immediately without delay and to not return to the area until public safety officials announce the area is safe.
Engines, crews and aircraft are being dispatched to a second fire, estimated at 5 acres and dubbed the Red Blanket Fire, east of Prospect.
The Applegate wildfire has reached an estimated 50 acres and was first reported at 5 to 10 acres just before 1 p.m. Wednesday with 20-foot flame lengths.
The Oregon Department of Forestry is engaging “in an aggressive initial attack across all agencies” said spokesperson Natalie Weber.
Resources include fire engines and crews across multiple agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service-Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management.
Helicopters and two large air tankers have been ordered, as well.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department will also provide updates on its Facebook page at facebook.com/JCSheriffOR.
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