September 5, 2022 5:00 p.m. 

Firefighters on the Rum Creek Fire, burning in Josephine County, are preparing for another windy dry spell.

An update from Northwest Incident Management Team 13 said if the fire stays within the current footprint, fire managers can be more confident that it will not escape the fire lines in the future.  On Tuesday, the fire will be under a Haines 6, the highest level on the index, indicating the greatest potential for rapid fire growth. The forecast calls for high temperatures, gusty winds and low relative humidity.

In advance of the weather change, firefighters have been working aggressively to contain more of the fire. The large areas of unburned fuels between this primary line and the natural fire edge in the Rum Creek drainage are being closely monitored. Fire has been burning steadily through this area, reducing the chance of fire running across the fire perimeter or spotting north across the Rogue River.

On the east side, tactical firing continued Monday near McKnabe Creek. Crews continue to mop up around the fire perimeter and near any structures, reducing the chance for fire to cross the primary lines.

Office of State Fire Marshal resources continue to mop up remaining hot spots near structures, cutting hazard trees and patrolling areas along Galice Road. Firefighters are also working on structure assessment and pre-planning to the north and southeast of the fire.

Fire personnel found three more burned structures, bringing the losses to two homes and four minor structures.

The Rum Creek Fire is now at 19,495 acres and is 34 percent contained. 1,914 people are working on the fire.