Winds and Dry Conditions Continue to Challenge Containment on East Evans Creek Fire
There is a community meeting planned for Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. to provide a brief operational update on the fire:
In Person: Shady Cove School Gym, 100 Cleveland St, Shady Cove, OR 97539
Stream online via: Facebook.com/ODFSouthwest
As of 7:15 PM last night the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has implemented upgraded evacuation levels in affected areas.
SAMS VALLEY, Ore. –Firefighters on the East Evans Creek Fire worked overnight to hold and improve control lines, taking advantage of improved humidity recoveries to moderate fire behavior and secure areas impacted by yesterday evening’s wind-driven activity.
On the Board Mountain spot fire, crews continued engaging areas where fire crossed control lines on the southwestern edge south of Boswell Mountain. Firefighters made progress working to tie the spot fire into existing lines, though steep terrain and limited access continue to challenge suppression efforts.
Today, wildland and structural firefighting resources are being strategically repositioned to the southern edge of the Board Mountain spot fire to rapidly engage the area where fire crossed established control lines. This focused effort is intended to take advantage of current conditions, strengthen suppression actions, and improve containment in that area. Fire behavior is expected to challenge firefighters as conditions change this afternoon.
The main fire and the spot fire northwest of Hull Mountain remain in hold and mop-up status. Crews are strengthening existing lines, removing hazard trees, and using handheld infrared technology to locate and extinguish remaining heat.
On the Canyon Creek spot fire, firefighters maintained containment while continuing to deepen mop-up operations.
As structural crews continue detailed assessments of areas impacted by the fire and gain access to additional locations within the fire footprint, additional damage has been identified, including one primary residence that had been vacant for an extended period and five outbuilding structures with fire-related damage. Assessments remain ongoing as crews continue to evaluate impacted areas.
Structure protection efforts expanded into the Antioch, Pomeroy, and Jones Road areas as forecasted winds and dry conditions increased the potential for fire to impact homes. Crews conducted structural preparation and improved water availability, building on earlier planning efforts to ensure a rapid and effective response as conditions evolve. Today, structural resources will continue reinforcing these measures while working in coordination with wildland firefighters.
Additional crews and equipment are also positioned alongside local resources to strengthen initial attack capability, ensuring a rapid response to any new fire starts and increased fire behavior under today’s forecasted hot, dry, and windy conditions.
Aircraft will support ground operations as conditions allow. To improve early-day aviation access, five of the helicopters have been relocated out of the inversion zone, allowing the aircraft to begin flying earlier in the day as visibility improves.
Due to increased fire activity across the state, an infrared flight was not completed overnight. As a result, updated acreage and maps will not be available today.
Evacuations: There are evacuations in place in both Jackson and Douglas counties, issued by both counties’ Sheriff’s Offices and Emergency Management. Up-to-date evacuations are available here: https://readyjacksonco.com/Emergency/emergency-information-hub-east-evans-creek-road-fire
Find your evacuation zone here: https://tinyurl.com/EastEvansCreekFireEvacMap
Road/Land Closures: The Tiller-Trail Highway is closed at the county border in Jackson County to Highway 62. Traffic is closed to the public on East Evans Creek Road at Meadows Road. The BLM has issued a road closure for West Fork Evans Creek Road and Rock Creek Road. Please avoid the fire area to allow firefighters and heavy equipment to operate safely. Road closure information is available on https://tripcheck.com/
A closure order for BLM-administered lands near the East Evans Creek Fire is in place. Public entry, including hunting, hiking, and camping, is prohibited. More information about the closure, including a map, is available online at www.blm.gov/orwafire.
Smoke Impacts: Smoke from the East Evans Creek Fire may settle into valleys and other low-lying areas, reducing visibility and impacting air quality in nearby communities. Smoke conditions can change throughout the day as winds shift. Individuals sensitive to smoke should take appropriate precautions. For current air quality information and smoke forecasts, visit: https://fire.airnow.gov/.
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place for the fire area daily (24 hours) until further notice. Complete information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_6_4915
Flying a drone near or around a wildfire is illegal and compromises the safety of both pilots and firefighters and interferes with firefighting efforts.
Cause: The fire started on Friday, July 10th at 2:41 p.m. after a car crashed into a power pole, sparking dry vegetation in the area. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the cause of the crash.
MediaRelDailyUpdate_AM_20260719_finalpio_8x11_land_20260719_0816_EastEvansCreek_OR711S000039_0719Day