Fire was reported just after 4 p.m., with a smoke column visible from Medford
By Morgan Rothborne, Ashland.news
Multiple Rogue Valley fire agencies responded to a vegetation fire in the 2300 block of Houston Road in Phoenix Saturday evening.
The fire is parallel to Arana Drive at the back of the Barnum subdivision, a neighborhood that was rebuilt after burning in the September 2020 Almeda fire. By about 6:30 p.m., fire crews seemed to have the upper hand, stopping the fire short at “approximately 25 to 30 acres,” according to the Watch Duty app.
Reports from original callers described a grass fire that was originally estimated at three acres in size. The Watch Duty app later reported level 2 evacuation advisories for PHX-014 and PHX-016.
A level 2 advisory — get set — means “Oregonians should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice, as this level indicates there is significant danger to the area,” according to the Jackson County Emergency Management website.
“The public should be prepared to voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area. They may have time to gather necessary items but doing so is at their own risk,” the site says.
At 6:11 p.m., officials also declared a level 1 evacuation advisory for PHX-012 A level 1 advisory — get ready — means residents of the affected area should be ready for “potential evacuation,” the Jackson County Emergency Management website says.
The affected level 2 areas have since been downgraded to a level 1 because of firefighters’ progress.
“Community members should be aware of the danger that exists in their area and monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information,” the site reads. “This is the time for preparation and precautionary movement of persons with special needs, and in some cases, pets and livestock.”
No cause for the fire has yet been identified. The blaze, first reported after 4:30 p.m. on the Watch Duty app, broke out as the region is about to see high temperatures prompting a heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service, with temperatures forecast to reach 98 to 103 degrees. The advisory goes into effect at 11 a.m. Sunday and lasts until 8 p.m. Monday. As of 6:15 p.m., Rogue Valley wind speeds were around 9 mph.
“The fire is burning in tall grass with moderate spread and has the potential to impact up to 100 structures,” the Medford Fire-Rescue Facebook page reads. “Over 20 fire apparatuses are on scene, including a regional strike team. Crews are working aggressively to slow the fire’s progress. Air support has been requested.”
A third alarm for additional resources has been called for the fire according to a 5:39 p.m. Watch Duty update.
Southwest Oregon’s fire danger increased from “low” to “moderate” Saturday following several recent fires on the district that covers 1.8 million acres of public and private land in Jackson and Josephine counties.
“Hot temperatures and windy conditions for the past couple of weeks have prompted vegetation to dry at a slightly faster rate,” and Oregon Department of Forestry news release said. This, in combination with the weather conditions, have contributed to new fire starts and growth.”
This story will be updated as information becomes available.
Email Ashland.news reporter Morgan Rothborne at [email protected]. Ashland.news web editor Ryan Pfeil, executive editor Bert Etling, and copy editor Jim Coleman contributed to this report.
