East Evans Fire AM Update 8/7/19

This will be the final update for the East Evans Fire unless conditions significantly change.

Infrared flights over the East Evans Fire confirm mop-up operations are effective and progressing quickly; Firefighters have upped containment overnight to 51%. The fire, located on the 18000-block of East Evans Creek road, remains 155 acres.

Resources are increasing on the line for dayshift on Wednesday, with nearly 200 personnel dedicated to the fire; six tree fallers, 10 crews, six engines, five water tenders, and one bulldozer will be on hand today. Crews will continue mop-up efforts while keeping safety in mind. Steep terrain and dangerous snags remain hazards to firefighters. Medics are available at staging.

Nearly 30 residences in the area remain under a LEVEL 1 (BE READY) evacuation notice, ordered by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO). The Office of the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and Oregon State Police are investigating the cause of this fire.

ODF Southwest Oregon District is greatly appreciative of our partnership with the Medford District BLM on this fire, as well as the efforts made by our partner agencies, including the Rogue Valley Fire Chief’s Association, OSFM, Oregon State Police, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Fire District Five, Mercy Flights, Jackson County Roads, and Jackson County Emergency Management.

East Evans Fire PM Update 8/6/19

Firefighters working on the East Evans Fire have reached 48% containment Tuesday night, nearly hitting the halfway point of mop-up operations. The fire, located on the 18000-block of East Evans Creek road, is a total of 155 acres.

Crews continued to make significant progress on Tuesday, completing 200 feet of mop-up into the fires perimeter on both divisions; that work will continue into this evening. Due to the consistent progress, resources on the fire are decreasing overnight; seven crews, six engines, and four water tenders will take over the lines, for a total of 175 personnel dedicated to the fire.

Tree fallers have also made great progress on mitigating hazards on the fire, falling approximately 70% of the snags that posed a risk to firefighters. Dead and dangerous trees have been a concern on the line for firefighters; these efforts have increased safety on the line.

Nearly 30 residences in the area remain under a LEVEL 1 (BE READY) evacuation notice, ordered by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO). A roadblock remains in place at East Evans Creek road between May Creek road and Meadows road; only residents and emergency personnel are permitted through.

The investigation on the cause of the East Evans Fire is being handled by the Office of the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and Oregon State Police. It was initially reported as a structure fire at approximately 2 p.m. Friday, August 2.

ODF Southwest Oregon District is greatly appreciative of our partnership with the Medford District BLM on this fire, as well as the efforts made by our partner agencies, including the Rogue Valley Fire Chief’s Association, OSFM, 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.

East Evans Fire AM Update 8/6/19

Despite steep terrain, crews working on the East Evans Fire are continuing to make consistent progress on the line, increasing containment overnight to 38%. The fire, located on the 18000-block of East Evans Creek road, remains 155 acres with a strong perimeter.

Resources on the fire are increasing, with more than 250 personnel dedicated to this incident. Six tree fallers, 13 crews, 10 engines, 10 water tenders, and one bulldozer will be on the line today. One Type 2 and three Type 1 helicopters will also be available for air support, along with two air attack platforms.

The biggest challenge crews are currently facing is the steep terrain, particularly on the north side of the fire. Mop-up operations have been hindered due to the risks presented to firefighters in this area, and crews will be focused on progressing containment.

Safety remains a top priority on Tuesday, following a rollover accident of a Croman semi-truck Monday night at approximately 8:45 p.m. The semi, towing 5,000 gallons of Jet A fuel, was leaving the Beagle helibase in Shady Cove following its assignment on the fire when the accident occurred. The driver suffered minor injuries, was treated at a local hospital, and released. A HazMat response was requested. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Nearly 30 residences in the area remain under a LEVEL 1 (BE READY) evacuation notice, ordered by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO). A roadblock remains in place at East Evans Creek road between May Creek road and Meadows road; only residents and emergency personnel are permitted through.

The investigation on the cause of the East Evans Fire is being handled by the Office of the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and Oregon State Police. It was initially reported as a structure fire at approximately 2 p.m. Friday, August 2.

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, OSFM, 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.

East Evans Fire PM Update 8/5/19

            Firefighters working on the East Evans Fire are continuing to make great progress on mop-up, increasing containment to 33% on Monday. The perimeter is holding, and the fire remains 155 acres.

            As of 6 p.m. Monday evening, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has lowered the 11 LEVEL 3 (GO) evacuations to LEVEL 1 (BE READY) notices. Those residences will join an additional 18 LEVEL 1 notices that have been in effect since the fire started. A roadblock will remain in place on East Evans Creek road, however residents will be given access.

            Resources on the fire Monday night include 10 crews, 10 engines, five water tenders, one bulldozer and three type one helicopters until nightfall. Firefighters will continue mopping up, with a goal of moving an additional 50 to 75 feet into the interior of the fire.  

The East Evans Fire was initially reported as a structure fire at approximately 2 p.m. Friday, August 2. The Office of the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and Oregon State Police are investigating the cause.  

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.

Little Applegate Complex PM Update 8/5/19

Firefighters assigned to the Little Applegate Complex completed mop-up operations on Monday afternoon, and both fires are 100% contained. Following accurate GPS mapping, the Little Applegate Fire was contained at six acres, and the Yale West Fire was mapped at just under an acre. All crews have since cleared the scene.

The Little Applegate Complex, located in the Applegate Valley on the 6500-block of Little Applegate road, was started by lightning at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Resources, including more than 160 personnel, were sent to the fires within the first two hours, some crews rerouted from the East Evans Fire. With the help of our partner agencies, Applegate Valley Fire Department and the Bureau of Land Management, ODF crews were able to contain both fires within the first 24 hours after they were reported.

One LEVEL 3 (GO) evacuation and three LEVEL 1 (BE READY) notices were issued by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) and the Rogue Valley Fire Chief’s Association; all have since been lifted, along with a road closure at Little Applegate and Buncom roads.

This will be the final update for the Little Applegate Complex unless conditions significantly change.

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