With the five largest fires burning in Douglas and Josephine counties having grown to more than 35,000 acres, southwest Oregon now has the dubious distinction of being the nation’s wildfire hot spot.
More than 3,500 firefighters from throughout Oregon and around the nation have been deployed to battle the growing blazes, fire officials said this morning.
The ground pounders are being assisted by air tankers and bucket-carrying helicopters when there is a rare break in the thick shroud of smoke blanketing the region.
“Unfortunately, we can’t get a lot of aircraft up because of the smoke,” observed Caitlin Goins of the Oregon Department of Forestry.
However, the smoke that is giving a headache to those planning aerial attacks on the fires is helping dampen aggressive fire behavior, she said. “Right now, the fires are laying down with smoke,” she said. “It helps fire suppression. It does sock us in, but it makes fire fighting on the ground easier.”
From Firehouse.com: https://www.firehouse.com/news/11075977/five-ore-wildland-fires-grow-in-douglas-and-josephine-counties-3500-firefighters-join-battle