There is a community meeting planned for today, Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. to provide an update for the fire.
In-Person: Shady Cove School Gym, 100 Cleveland St, Shady Cove, OR 97539
Hosted streaming site: Jackson County District 1, 5474 N River Rd, Gold Hill, OR 97525
Stream online via: Facebook.com/ODFSouthwest
SAMS VALLEY, Ore. (July 15, 2026) – The East Evans Creek Fire remained active throughout the night, firefighters worked aggressively on spot fires that established outside the primary fire perimeter during yesterday’s active burning conditions. Resources remained focused on the fire’s northeast of the main incident, where crews made progress through the night while continuing suppression efforts on the main fire.
One of the larger spot fires, located on Board Mountain, is estimated at approximately 1,000 acres. Additional crews, engines, and heavy equipment were shifted to that area and are actively engaged to limit further spread and establish containment opportunities. As conditions rapidly change, wildland and structure resources continue to be strategically placed. Additional resources continue to arrive to bolster suppression efforts.
Overnight, firefighters conducted a small-scale tactical firing operation on the western portion of the fire to minimize impacts from the main fire that progressed uphill towards already established containment features. Firefighters and heavy equipment constructed direct fireline where terrain and conditions allowed, strengthening control lines along the fire’s edge on the Board Mountain spot fire. Wildland and structural resources will continue to work collaboratively around the clock with dozers, hand crews, engines operations on the northeastern and eastern portions of the incident, providing point protection for homes threatened by the fire.
Today, firefighters will continue taking a direct approach where conditions allow while remaining focused on firefighter safety. Aircraft and ground resources will work together to slow fire spread, cool active areas, support crews constructing fireline, and quickly engage any new spot fires that develop. The Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) structure engines along the eastern portion of the fire will continue protecting homes and critical infrastructure. On the southwest edge, crews will be improving defensible space around structures and installing temporary water supply sources to support wildland operations.
Elevated fire behavior is expected to return this afternoon as hot, dry weather combines with local wind patterns, steep terrain, and receptive fuels. These conditions may contribute to increased fire intensity, rapid rates of spread, and additional spotting during the hottest part of the day. Firefighters will continue adapting tactics as conditions change while taking advantage of opportunities to safely engage the fire.
The Bureau of Land Management has issued a closure order for BLM-administered lands near the East Evans Creek Fire. 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/
Evacuations: The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management have issued the following evacuations by level:
Evacuation Level 3 Go Now: JAC-124 – 22705 to 24100 block of E. Evans Creek Road.
Evacuation Level 2 Be Set: JAC-016 / JAC-017 / JAC-126 / JAC-147 / JAC-148 / JAC-149B
Evacuation Level 1 Be Ready: JAC-003 / JAC-004 / JAC-014 / JAC-026 / JAC-036 / JAC-109 / JAC-127 / JAC-131 / JAC-149A / JAC-158
An evacuation shelter for residents and domestic pets located at Hanby Middle School, 806 6th Avenue, Gold Hill. Horses can be taken to the Expo at 21 Penninger Road, Central Point, OR. For more information on evacuation levels or to find your evacuation zone, visit https://tinyurl.com/EastEvansCreekFireEvacMap. Expo staff and volunteers are prepared to receive horses; however, please call 541-776-7206 first to confirm space is available, as additional shelter locations may be activated. Owners should bring feed, water containers, and any necessary medications when possible. For livestock sheltering assistance, call 541-776-7206.
Road Closures: Traffic is closed to the public on East Evans Creek Road at Meadows Road. Please avoid the fire area to allow firefighters and heavy equipment to operate safely.
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.
The fire started on Friday afternoon 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.