Upper Applegate Fire remains at 890 acres, 45% contained

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. – The Upper Applegate Fire has remained at 890 acres overnight and is now 45% contained.

According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, crews were able to conduct controlled burns on the eastern edge of the fire. Kyle Sullivan From the Bureau of Land Management says there are locations of the fire where firefighters cannot directly attack because of difficult terrain. He says with the number of dead trees and how steep the land is in certain areas, it’s too dangerous. By back-burning from the fire lines, firefighters hope the uncontrolled parts of the fire will have less fuel and won’t be able to jump the hand-dug fire lines.

“There is going to be increased fire activity at night. If you’re in the area, you’re going to see more flames. Those flames are happening where we expect them to, we know about them. In the morning, there’s going to be increased smoke in the air and that’s from that increased fire behavior,” Sullivan said.

Meanwhile mop up efforts are continuing along the southern edge while the northern edge is being prepped for additional controlled burns. Those are expected to take place over the next two nights.