California Air Tankers Assist With Beals Creek Fire

Two California Department of Forestry (Cal Fire) air tankers have joined Oregon forces in battling the Beals Creek Fire east of Canyonville. Size estimate has been revised to 65-70 acres. Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA) is leading the firefighting effort on the blaze, which was reported Monday evening. Burning on steep, rugged ground, the fire is dislodging debris down the slope and creating a potential hazard for firefighters.

Two DFPA and three private hand crews are working the blaze on the ground, and two water bucket-slinging helicopters are dousing the flames from above. The fire is currently uncontained. Cause remains under investigation.

With the declaration of fire season by Oregon Department of Forestry's Northeast Oregon District on the morning of July 6, all but the northwestern Oregon districts will be in fire season statewide.

Reminder: No Open Burning During Fire Season

ODF engine crews from the Grants Pass Unit chased a handful of smoke reports over the July 4 weekend, most of which were debris-burning piles. An old burn pile that rekindled burned 1/4 acre and was quickly extinguished by an engine crew.

Open burning is no longer permitted since fire season began on Friday, July 1.

The Grants Pass Unit also sent three firefighters to the Beals Creek Fire in Douglas County late Monday. The 100-acre fire in the Days Creek area, east of Canyonville, broke out on July 4. For more information about the fire, see the Douglas Forest Protective Association's website.

ODF's Medford Unit engine crews responded to several smoke reports over the weekend, and extinguished one small fire (1/10th acre) near the Jacksonville Dam.