February 16, 2022 3:30 a.m. 

2 small fires are under investigation in Josephine County.

A release said Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest District firefighters responded to the fires located approximately 10 miles northeast of Cave Junction shortly before 11:00 a.m. on Monday morning. Public Information Officer Natalie Weber said when resources arrived, they found the first fire to be an estimated 1/10th of an acre on Bureau of Land Management land. Weber said the second was estimated to be 1.5 acres on private land. Fire activity was minimal on both fires and firefighters began an aggressive initial attack.

An ODF release said several risk factors were present on these incidents, including steep terrain, hazardous trees and the potential for rolling logs. Despite those safety risks, firefighters were able to make great progress relatively quickly. Weber said both were 100 percent lined and 80 percent mopped up by Monday evening. With rainy conditions present and no active fire, resources were comfortable leaving the scene overnight.

Weber said Tuesday morning firefighters returned to continue mopping up and searching for potential hotspots. An 8-person crew, 2 type 6 engines and 1 type 5 will remain on scene until the mop-up process is complete. Firefighters will continue to monitor the area throughout the upcoming weeks.

Weber said firefighters are working to determine the cause of both fires. No homes were threatened and no evacuations were needed. Weber said the incidents serve as a great reminder that fires can start and spread even during winter months.

More information is available at www.swofire.com.