Local News

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office has canceled all evacuation notices related to the Salt Creek Fire between Eagle Point and Butte Falls, but the National Weather Service is calling for the possibility of lightning and more fires this weekend.

On Friday afternoon, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office canceled all evacuation notices for the Salt Creek Fire due to successful firefighting efforts over the last few days. At last report, the wildfire was 4,102 acres and 84% contained.

Early today, the National Weather Service posted a Fire Weather Watch for all of southwest Oregon including the Rogue, Illinois, Applegate and Umpqua river basins as well as the surrounding mountains.

Weather experts said an upper level low pressure system will move up from the south along the California coast this afternoon and will tap into increasing mid-level moisture. Meanwhile, elevated instability will combine with a moderate to strong trigger that could result in isolated scattered thunderstorms late this evening into Sunday morning and again Sunday afternoon and evening.

Given the prolonged stretch of very hot and very dry conditions, lightning efficiency will be high to very high for fire starts. Additionally, gusty outflow winds will allow for new and existing fires to grow rapidly out of control.

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are possible during the Watch time. These conditions could promote the rapid spread of wildfires that could become life-threatening. Local fire agencies and residents should check weather updates for a possible upgrade to a Red Flag Warning.