Firefighters are making continuous progress on the East Evans Fire, burning in Sams Valley. It’s estimated to be 300 acres, and crews have managed to line 10% of the perimeter within the first five hours.
The East Evans Fire was reported to dispatch as a structure fire at approximately 2 p.m. Friday afternoon in the 18000 block of East Evans Creek Road. With the location provided, ODF detection cameras located a thick smoke column, prompting a block response. Eight engines, four helicopters, five SEATs, two LATs, and an air attack plane began an aggressive initial attack; however, fire activity escalated quickly; by 5 p.m., the fire grew to approximately 300 acres.
By 7 p.m., repeated retardant drops assisted in stopping the initial spread of the fire, creating a temporary fire line. Additional resources including a Rogue Valley Strike Team, one VLAT, another two helicopters, and a helitack unit were also called out. Six engines, eight 20-person hand crews, seven bulldozers, two water tenders will continue to aggressively fight the fire overnight.
The fire is burning away from houses, however some evacuations have been made by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies gave an immediate evacuation notice (LEVEL 3) to five residences in the area. Deputies are also making door-to-door LEVEL 1 evacuation notices in the area of East Evans Creek Road between the 18500-block and Meadows Road (north side of the roadway). At this time, a Red Cross Shelter has not been set up. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Updates on the East Evans Fire can be found on our Facebook Page: @ODFSouthwest.