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The latest on what seems to be a black out re any reports since this morning:

Bulldozers cut last-ditch defense against fire

By JEFF BARNARD
The Associated Press
7/30/02 5:54 PM

CAVE JUNCTION, Ore. (AP) -- Bulldozers clanked along a ridge top Tuesday rebuilding old fire lines to create a 25-mile-long last bastion for the 17,000 residents of the Illinois Valley against the advance of a pair of wildfires.

The entire Illinois Valley in southwestern Oregon remained under an evacuation warning for the second straight day as the Florence Fire, sparked by lightning two weeks ago, burned out of control.

"There is a feeling of anxiety from residents, but a lot of us are saying we're going to wait until it gets closer," before leaving, said Bob Rodriguez, editor of the weekly newspaper The Illinois Valley News. "A lot of people have packed and either have their stuff right next to the door -- suitcases and medicines -- or they've got their stuff in their vehicles and are ready to go."

Residents closest to the fire have been warned to be ready to leave within 30 minutes of hearing a radio broadcast, while others throughout the valley were under a 24-hour evacuation notice.

Chevron gas station owner Jeff Stiles said quite a few people left the valley Monday, but those who remain seem calm. "This is a survivalist area," he said. "There are a lot of people who want to make a last stand at their own property. The people who stayed are a tough breed."

The crossroads animal hospital sold out of pet carriers and nearly ran out of sedatives for dogs and cats, said Sue Fiske.

The Josephine County Sheriff's Posse has been helping people round up livestock to transport to safer ground, and veterinarians and kennels in Grants Pass 30 miles away, are offering refuge for pets.

"It's amazing how many people can't find their leashes and collars for their pets and are coming in for new ones," said Fiske. "You really know what people are made of when you get hit by something like this. I think a lot of people are really compassionate."

At the local senior center, Floyd Watkins shot pool with Rusty Fox and said quite a few older residents have left the area because of problems breathing the smoke, but most have stayed, hoping for the best.

Changing weather promised a breath of cooler, more moist air off the Pacific Ocean that was expected to lower the volatility of the fire slightly. Winds were expected to diminish to 10 to 15 mph, but shift to the northwest, which could push flames closer to homes, fire spokeswoman Pam Leschak said.

The fleet of bulldozers was moving north and south from Woodcock Mountain, located halfway between Cave Junction and Selma. They were building a fire line one bulldozer wide along the ridge tops about a mile west of U.S. Highway 199, said U.S. Forest Service Illinois Valley District Ranger Tom Link. The line was based on the remains of fire lines built in 1994 to defend the valley against an earlier blaze.

Three homes have been lost to the 71,000-acre Florence Fire, which was within three miles of combining with the 25,200-acre Sour Biscuit Fire to the south to make a single fire of 96,200 acres.

Crews from 30 fire engines assembled from around the state under the Conflagration Act continued going door to door, plotting the locations of homes by Global Positioning System and assessing whether the structures can be saved if the fire keeps advancing. Firefighters will not defend houses that score "yes" answers to 11 tough questions, such as whether brush is within 30 feet.

After the Florence Fire blew up in explosive conditions on Sunday, firefighters backed off direct attack, concentrating on building bulldozer lines well in advance of the fire.

On the northern flank, more bulldozers were re-establishing fire lines from the 1987 Silver Fire to protect the community of Agness, a center of whitewater rafting on the Rogue River.