August 20, 2022 12:30 p.m. 

Containment lines are holding across all fires in the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District as forward progress continues across incidents in Josephine and Jackson counties.

Public Information Officer Natalie Weber said of the 54 fires ignited by Wednesday evening’s thunderstorm, the vast majority are extinguished. Weber said the Rum Creek Fire is currently posing the most challenges for firefighters, north of Galice. Weber said resources remain dedicated to the Lightening Gulch Complex in Josephine County and Westside Complex in Jackson County. In all, over 800 firefighters are assigned to the two complexes, made up of 40 hand crews, 23 engines, 4 dozers and 8 helicopters.

The Rum Fire, which is part of the Lightning Gulch Complex, is estimated at 75 acres. Weber said with terrain described by some firefighters, as a mini-Grand Canyon, gaining access to corral the fire has remained the toughest test. Equipment operators were able to establish a dozer line at the top of the fire, where hand crews are working to tie into. Nearly 200 firefighters will continue to establish control lines along the fire’s perimeter while aircraft work to keep the edges cool in efforts to slow the fire’s spread. A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered to alleviate pressure on local crews and free up resources for any new fire starts that may pop up.

In Jackson County, fires within the Westside Complex are fairing well. The Ladybug and Keeler fires are the two largest in the complex, estimated at 80 and 60 acres respectively. Goals are to line and begin mop up operations on both fires.

More fire information is at: www.swofire.com.