July 10, 2025 3:50 a.m.

Firefighters are continuing aggressive suppression action across all fires in Jackson and Josephine counties, the majority of which were caused by lightning strikes following thunderstorms Monday night.

A release from the Bureau of Land Management Medford District and the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District said the fire count remains at 72 total between the two counties, with numerous fires already caught and extinguished at small sizes. Public Information Officer Natalie Weber said the remaining fires are staffed with resources and progress continues to be made across the board despite the hot and windy conditions, which can naturally fuel growth.

Weber said the ODF Complex Incident Management Team 3 was in-briefed by the local district Wednesday afternoon and is preparing to take a portion of the fires off the district’s plate on Thursday morning.

The two largest fires are the Neil Creek Road Fire, west of Interstate Five south of Ashland, and the Deming Gulch Fire, located northeast of Buncom. Both are currently estimated at 250 acres.

High fire danger remains in effect on ODF-protected land in Jackson and Josephine counties. For more information on fires in the ODF Southwest Oregon District go to www.swofire.com or check the agencies’ social media channels.