To me it would appear that both of these fires were probably acts of arson as in all the years I have lived here I have never heard or seen two major fires in one day within only a few hours or each other.
As of now three television stations are off-the-air as well as two radio stations. Also in the Medford fire there have been several explosions and there appears that several homes have been destroyed.
Many air tankers have been fighting the Medford fire and several spotter planes are also in the air.
Below are some pictures that I took of the Medford fire. Look close as you can see the tankers dropping water on the flames.
View from about 1.5 miles away.
This photo taken about one mile from the fire in Medford across from the Rogue Valley Mall.
Wide angle view of Medford fire.
Picture shows fire that is about to destroy a few homes on the hillside.
If you look at the edge of the smoke on the right side you can see a tanker in the air.
View of fire from the parking lot at the Rogue Valley Mall.
Another view of the Medford fire that is located east of the Rogue Valley Mall.
It is now 5:15PM and the tankers are still in the air working to stop the fire. The thick black smoke is getting much lighter in color.
Will keep you posted when we know more about the causes of these two fires.
Just a note. You can click on the pictures to see very large versions of them. On the fifth picture if you enlarge it you can actually see two tankers in the air.
ReplyDeleteThe local television stations are now back on the air. Channel 10 was the last to resume broadcasting. Radio stations are now back in service also.
ReplyDeleteAwful..!! The fire was such a danger.. Hope everyone is safe..
ReplyDelete4:25 PM - A swiftly moving fire at the base of Roxy Ann Peak is threatening homes in the Vista Point subdivision in east Medford.
ReplyDeleteFlames are shooting 40 to 50 feet in the air behind Bethel Church along Park Ridge Drive not far from East McAndrews Road. Witnesses reported explosions, possibly electrical transformers.