fire season

MEDFORD, Ore. – ODF is watching and waiting, as it debates when to declare fire season in Southern Oregon. Usually, the season starts in June, but depending on conditions it can begin much earlier. Last year, it started in May. ODF said …

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. —With fire season fast approaching, the Oregon Department of Forestry is looking to staff up. ODF Southwest Oregon District is already conducting interviews, it hopes to be fully staffed by mid-June. Positions are open for a combined 100 forest officers, …

ROGUE VALLEY, Ore — With hot, windy and dry conditions presenting fire danger throughout southern Oregon, the Oregon Department of Forestry is urging people to be extra cautious. “The lack of rain, the sun and windy conditions are really just prime conditions …

JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. — Community members have one final chance to give testimony on the Forestland Classification project. The last public meeting about Jackson and Josephine County land classification is being held by the Oregon Department of Forestry on Wednesday …

MEDFORD, Ore. —The city of Medford is considering banning camping on the Bear Creek Greenway. If passed, it would make it a misdemeanor to sleep or camp anywhere along the Greenway between May 1st and September 30th. The city says it would …

Phoenix, Ore — A program for families affected by the Almeda Fire continues to find temporary homes. 700 students in the Phoenix-Talent School District lost their homes due to the Almeda fire. Immediately afterwards the School District partnered with Rogue Retreat to …

UPPER ROGUE AREA — Over 30 homes were destroyed in the South Obenchain Fire, according to ODF. The agency says 33 homes and 56 minor structures were lost. Minor structures are considered barns, shops and sheds. A majority of the destroyed homes …

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — Two weeks have passed since the Almeda Fire tore through parts of Ashland, Phoenix, and Talent. Since then, people have slowly started returning to their regular routines, including firefighters. Jesse Vermillion is a volunteer firefighter at the Jacksonville …

SALEM, Ore. — Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who lost food because of the wildfires may be eligible for replacement benefits. The Oregon Department of Human Services said it’s available for people who lost food due to a power out or …

 CENTRAL POINT, Ore. — When it comes to fighting fires like Almeda and the many others that sparked just one week ago, the conditions can have firefighters switching up their tactics by the minute. “It’s like taking a hairdryer and pouring a …