Oregon Public Broadcasting

Firefighters Tuesday subdued two fires in southern Oregon that kicked up quickly Monday.

While the fires in Ashland and Medford aren’t officially “contained”, firefighters are optimistic they are under control.

Lynn Anderson worked as a spokeswoman during the fires and was able to see the Medford blaze from her house.

She says almost immediately after things calmed down on the Ashland fire, residents reported a growing blaze in Medford.

Lynn Anderson: “They’re only 15 miles apart, so we moved bombers and helicopters right on it. I don’t know if there’s such a thing as ‘Gee, you got lucky,’ in a double fire situation – but in this situation, considering the possibility for destruction, we got lucky.”

Anderson credited the Governor’s office for sending skilled firefighters from around the state to help.

And Tuesday the federal government authorized the use of federal emergency funds to help pay for the firefighters and equipment which fought the fire.

The 600-acre Deer Ridge fire in Medford forced the evacuation of hundreds of homes in some new subdivisions. There were no reports of burned homes.

In the 100-acre Ashland brush fire, one home, a few outbuildings, and a pickup truck were lost.