A two-block sector of the industrial district of Medford, Oregon, was converted into ruins by the worst fire in the city's history, which caused $1,000,000 property loss. Fear was expressed that the Southern Oregon region's multimillion-dollar pear-growing industry would suffer even greater loss because the fruit plants that burned--two of them among the largest in the district--could not be replaced before the August fruit harvest.
    The fire, which started about 6:00 p.m. from an undetermined cause on the evening of June 25, on the second floor of the $600,000 American Fruitgrowers plant on South Fir Street, was fanned in all directions by a strong, shifting wind and, before it was controlled, had wrecked five other plants and structures.
    Completely destroyed were the following: American Fruitgrowers plant with all supplies and equipment; plant of the Crystal Springs Packing Company to the north at a loss of $100,000; the warehouse of the Monarch Feed and Seed Company to the south, along with the firm's seed-cleaning equipment, grain and stock and dairy feed, at a loss of about $100,000; the Porter Lumber Company, across the street, entailing a loss to plant and lumber of $40,000; the Medford Mill Works on Tenth and Grape streets, including the plant and quantities of processed lumber, at a loss of $100,000; and a garage and shop facing on Tenth Street.
    Most of the structures involved were of frame construction and provided ready fuel for the fire. According to Jack A. Hayes, Salem, deputy state fire marshal, buildings which have large open areas, such as fruit-packing plants, are bad fire hazards and should be constructed with fire walls, fire doors and sprinkler systems if conflagrations such as that which threatened all of Medford's business district are to be avoided. The plants involved in the Medford fire had none of these fire protection facilities, nor was there any adequate watchmen's service.
    At the time of the start of the fire, there were only two persons in the American plant, a janitor, and an IBM operator who is said to have discovered the fire. There are conflicting stories concerning the first few minutes following the discovery of the fire and the transmitting of the alarm. It is said that the operator endeavored to extinguish the fire, first seen on the second floor near the front stairway, but he was driven out by the quick spread of the flames.
    Records at fire headquarters indicate that the first alarm was received at 6:05 p.m. and, according to Fire Chief Roy Elliott, when the department arrived the building was already heavily involved and blazing fiercely. An employee of a transfer company attested that he telephoned the department at 6:10 by his timepiece and the firemen were on the scene and had hose laid out by 6:13 p.m.
    Oil sprays, oily paper and other highly inflammable material in large amounts helped further the fire, according to Chief Elliott, who also stated that the high wind, blowing at the time, made the task of controlling the blaze a difficult one. To add to the trouble, the wind was variable and it was virtually necessary to surround the entire two-block fire area with firefighters and equipment to control further extension.
    A total of twelve pumpers were utilized to circle the fire ground and protect nearby residences, hotels and business structures, which were constantly in danger from flying embers and radiated heat.
    Early in the fire calls for aid were sent to neighboring fire forces. Ashland sent a pumper; two were provided by the Rogue River National Forest service; two by the state fire patrol; two by Camp White; one came from the Medford airport; and one from Timber Products Company to aid the three units of Medford's own department.
    The firemen were also aided by volunteers, who extinguished dozens of small fires set by burning brands.
Fire Engineering, August 1946, page 627