Two wildfires spring up within 15 minutes in Jackson County

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Two wildfires in Southern Oregon started within 15 minutes of each other Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

According to Jackson County Emergency Management, fire crews are making progress on both fires one near Shady Cove and one near Ruch.

The fire near Shady Cove, named the Highway 62 Fire is sitting at around 75 acres, but crews have the whole fire lined and hoses set up.

Further south, the Upper Applegate Fire near Ruch is burning at an estimated 500 acres, and progress has been difficult authorities said. The fire is on steep terrain in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest which is making things more challenging, according to Emergency Management.

Crews are working today to build and strengthen lines and also work on structure protection.

There is a Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuation notice in place for the Upper Applegate Fire for areas west of Upper Applegate Road, the eastern portions of Sterling Creek Road and Eastside Road south of Little Applegate Road to north of McKee Bridge. More information about the notices is available online.

No evacuation notices are in place for the Highway 62 Fire.