JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. – Lightning has sparked 8 new fires in Josephine County this week.
The Oregon Department of Forestry says the fires are burning on both sides of the lower Rogue River, northwest of Galice.
Firefighters were able to reach two fires and attack them early Wednesday morning. According to ODF, the remaining six fires are almost impossible to access by road or on foot, due to the rough terrain.
It says the most beneficial tool is using aircraft to fight these fires. An additional helicopter was diverted from the Salt Creek Fire and is working on these new fires.
“A lot of challenges with these fires and that’s typical of what we see with lightning fires is they will be really high points and really remote locations and so that a huge challenge for us on these incidents,” said ODF Public Information Officer Natalie Weber.
None of the fires saw substantial growth overnight, but ODF is concerned the hot weather will increase fire activity.
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