Firefighters on the East Evans Fire, located approximately nine miles west of Shady Cove, made significant progress on Sunday and throughout the evening, upping containment from zero to 27% in two shifts. Crews were able to lay hose throughout the entire fire as well, connecting existing structure, and hand lines were additionally strengthened. Accurate GPS mapping has placed the fire at 155 acres, nearly half the size it was originally estimated.
Firefighters were also focused on falling dangerous trees in the perimeter, and made good progress mitigating those hazards. Crews will continue that work today, and push forward on mop-up operations, with a goal of reaching up to 300 feet in the interior in some places.
Resources on the fire today include 13 crews, 10 engines, 10 water tenders, one bulldozer and numerous tree fallers. Aircraft resources will continue to remain the same.
The East Evans Fire was initially reported as a structure fire at approximately 2 p.m. Friday. Crews arrived to a burning structure and five acres of active fire. With hot temperatures and wind, it spread to an estimated 300 acres within the first three hours. However, aircraft and ground resources moved swiftly in the first five hours to gain the upper hand. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office initially made 11 LEVEL THREE and 18 LEVEL ONE evacuations; they remain in place. Residents affected has been notified. A Red Cross Shelter in not in place.
ODF Southwest Oregon District is greatly appreciative of our partnership with the BLM on this fire, as well as the efforts made by our partner agencies, including the Rogue Valley Fire Chief’s Association, Oregon State Police, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Fire District Five, Mercy Flights, Jackson County Roads, and Jackson County Emergency Management.
Updates on the East Evans Fire can be found on our Facebook Page: @ODFSouthwest.