Southern Oregon has been under a cloud of smoke for the past month, yet Ruch students enjoyed some fresh air to visit firefighters on the Hamilton Road fire camp last week. Fire crews ranging from Alaska to Colorado gave students a behind-the-scenes tour of the wildfire campsite as well as an up-close experience with the helibase. Ruch students spoke with on-the-ground crewmembers to learn about fire suppression tactics, training requirements to be on a wildfire-trained crew, satellite mapping techniques of the area, and flight procedures used by helitrack pilots.
The Miller Fire Complex, about 17 miles east of Cave Junction, has burned over 36,000 acres and is currently 65% contained. Fire crews have kept residents up-to-speed on developments, including explaining what to expect with different evacuation notices and how the fires are progressing. On August 31st, a level 2 evacuation notice was issued, meaning residents should either voluntarily relocate outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
The Miller Fire Complex, about 17 miles east of Cave Junction, has burned over 36,000 acres and is currently 65% contained. Fire crews have kept residents up-to-speed on developments, including explaining what to expect with different evacuation notices and how the fires are progressing. On August 31st, a level 2 evacuation notice was issued, meaning residents should either voluntarily relocate outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
As a token of their appreciation, Ruch students made hand-written thank you cards that were placed in the firefighter's lunch boxes. The community is grateful to the many patrols who left their homes to make sure ours were safe and protected.
To learn more about the Miller Complex fire, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5514/
To sign up to receive emergency alerts in Jackson County, visit www.jacksoncounty.org/alert.
To learn more about the Miller Complex fire, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5514/
To sign up to receive emergency alerts in Jackson County, visit www.jacksoncounty.org/alert.