Wildfire in Jackson County, Oregon

A fire broke out on the Bear Creek Greenway near Penninger Road and Pine Street in Central Point late in the afternoon of 07/17/18. The point of origin was near a transient camp. The fire spread quickly to the south and east through fields surrounded by structures. At its peak, it burned into lands bordering the Rogue Valley International Airport. A large area was evacuated, and the NWS personnel in Medford were forced to abandon the NWS station when the fire approached within 100 feet of the station building. The fire was controlled in the evening after 97 acres burned. Five outbuildings were destroyed; three residences and one additional outbuilding were damaged. One male died in the fire. His body was discovered in the greenway the following day.