Rural Metro Fire - Josephine County

05/31/2026

(edited from original post)

5/31/26, 16:40 hrs. (EAST GRANTS PASS) -- Firefighters with Rural Metro Fire, Grants Pass Fire and ODF Southwest Oregon District responded to a grass fire in the 400 block of Ament Road, near Moon Mountain. The fire was controlled and extinguished at 1.75 acres with no structural damages. Crews spent the majority of time mopping up the fire in a grass field, and a wood slash pile that was in the fire's path.

Upon investigation, the fire that occurred on an agricultural-exempt property was determined to be caused by a mower that evidently hit something that caused a spark. It serves as a reminder that mowing is highly recommended in the morning when fuel moistures are at their peak.

Restrictions elsewhere do not currently restrict mowing of dry grass, but with increased incidents like today, the possibility is coming soon.

05/28/2026

Let's look at Wildfire Awareness from another angle. As we all prepare for a potentially active we ask the question "what are you using as your source of information for active fires in our region?"

Seeking out and maintaining a reliable connection with accurate information is a personal responsibility. There are many tools out there, and it is recommended that you always use more than one source....

Social Media? Facebook scanner groups, fire agency pages, community chat groups, X, etc.

Mainstream Media? TV, radio, newspaper.

Smartphone apps? Pulsepoint, Watch Duty, etc.

Citizen Alert? Setting up messaging to go directly to your phone (not used for every fire).

Friends and Family? Relying on others to keep you informed.

Whatever you choose to use, be mindful that some sources are faster/slower than others when providing information. And be cautious with speculation and hype coming from unofficial sources.

05/27/2026

5/26/26, 16:15 hrs. (WOLF CREEK) -- Rural Metro Fire responded on behalf of Wolf Creek Rural Fire Protection District to a rollover crash on Interstate 5 near milepost 80. Rural Metro Fire, along with Glendale Oregon Rural Fire District, AMR-Josephine County, Oregon State Police and Oregon Department of Transportation found a single vehicle that had rolled over and the driver was unable to get out. Rural Metro Firefighters were able to quickly extricate the driver by removing the roof and windshield, transferring patient care to Glendale Ambulance and AMR. The driver reportedly suffered from serious injuries and was transported to a Medford trauma hospital.

The freeway was temporarily affected by traffic control during the incident, but has since been reopened.

05/26/2026

Most of the fire agencies responsible for protecting Josephine County, as well as helping when Jackson County calls for help, gathered today for the annual Wildland Readiness Drill. Each year those who can participate come together to sharpen skills needed to be successful in wildfire suppression and structural protection.

With literally hundreds of topics to choose from, this session focused on "Pump & Roll" tactics that incorporated obstacles and off-road topography. Amid distractions, the goal is to stay moving with an advancing fire, working in coordination with the driver and the firefighter alongside. Additionally, crews refreshed on drafting water from various sources, such as the river or from portable ponds.

Special appreciation goes to Fort Vannoy Farms and Josephine County Parks for use of their properties.

05/26/2026

The wind today caused challenges for local First Responders as they scrambled to deal with several incidents...

🌬️Wind caused trees and limbs to fall on powerlines in the New Hope, Sunny Valley and Greens Creek Road areas, causing power disruptions and small fires. All fires are now fully extinguished.

🌬️Wind is being considered a contributor to incidents on the Rogue River during Boatnik races, that caused several boats to flip and eject their pilots. Pre-staged rescue crews assigned to the races determined there were no injuries.

🌬️Wind is reported to be what accelerated a fire in Central Point to push to 30 acres this afternoon, mobilizing all regional firefighters including Rural Metro Fire's Battalion 5 and Water Tender 7541. See updates posted by Jackson County Fire District 3 and ODF Southwest Oregon District.

05/24/2026

Boatnik Parade 2026 theme “Stars, Stripes and Sacrifice”. Rural Metro Fire honors those who gave all for our freedoms. We hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day Weekend.

05/23/2026

UPDATE: fire was determined to be an electrical issue in one vehicle. The fire then spread to everything else due to close proximity.

5/22/26, 13:54 hrs. (SE GRANTS PASS) — An alert neighbor called Grants Pass 911 after seeing smoke and flames in the 400 block of Summit Loop. Firefighters from Rural Metro Fire and Grants Pass Fire arrived to find 2 vehicles and 3 riding lawn mowers on fire. The fire was quickly extinguished, preventing spread to the adjacent structure or vegetation.

Cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

05/21/2026

Today, the kids at the Merlin Head Start got a “head start” on a future career, with a special visit from their friends from the Merlin and North Valley fire stations. It’s always fun to imagine who the next generations of first responders will be…

05/19/2026

Enroll by June 6! Application in the main post.
Similar to the Rogue Girls Fire Camp, this one invites boys and girls.

Three Rivers School District
Grants Pass School District 7

ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOLERS!!!

Are you interested in firefighting and hands-on career exploration? Join Rogue Community College Fire Science team this summer for our Hook & Ladder Fire Camp!

This FREE, exciting three-day camp is designed specifically for current high school juniors and seniors who want to experience what it’s like to train as a firefighter. Participants will work alongside career firefighters and take part in hands-on activities including:

• SCBA (air pack) familiarization
• Ladder deployment
• Fire hose movement and operations
• Forcible entry training
• Team-based challenges and drills
• Fire service career exploration

Camp Details:
• Dates: June 23–25, 2026, 8am-4pm
• Location: Jackson County Fire District 3 Training Grounds, White City, OR
• Lunch provided daily
• Transportation to and from camp is the responsibility of participants

This is a great opportunity to build confidence, leadership, teamwork skills, and learn more about careers in emergency services in a fun, active environment.

Space may be limited. Registration is open now until June 6th!
Visit: https://forms.office.com/r/LRG3B8N4TF to register!

For questions, please contact:
[email protected]

05/19/2026

5/18/26, 16:55 hrs. (WONDER) — Rural Metro Fire and ODF Southwest Oregon District have a 1/2 acre fire in the 12000 block of Redwood Hwy under control and in full mop-up. The cause is under investigation.