September 2, 2022 10:50 a.m.

A Red Flag Warning raises fire danger for the Rum Creek Fire, burning in Josephine County.

The warning is in effect through 11:00 p.m. Friday for the fire area and other parts of southern Oregon for strong gusty winds and low relative humidity.

The update from Northwest Incident Management Team 13 said forecasters expect passage of a dry cold front in the afternoon or evening. The cold front is forecast to bring slightly cooler temperatures and gusty winds from the west to northwest. Rum Creek Fire personnel have established contingency lines further from the fire as containment features as needed. Containment lines are established along road systems as well as using old dozer lines from previous fires in the vicinity. Fire personnel will be monitoring the weather closely and watching for wind-driven flare-ups, especially along ridgelines.

The release said in preparation for this frontal passage, firefighters have constructed both direct and indirect lines around most of the fire and have conducted strategic firing operations in critical areas. Mop up has extinguished the remaining embers along the fire’s edge near structures and on other sections of the fire perimeter.

On the east side, new lines are being built and fortified by strategic firing operations to keep the fire from spreading east from McKnabe Creek drainage.

The southwest edge between Mount Peavine and Bear Gulch was fired during night operations. Fire personnel are working to extinguish heat near the edge of the burned area. Strategic firing continues north toward the Rogue River on the west side to secure this section.

The fire has grown to 16,940 acres and is 12 percent contained. 1,983 people are assigned to the fire.