Local News

Gusty winds and high temperatures continue to fuel East Evans Creek Fire, while firefighters continue to hold all control lines. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports crews engaged in an aggressive response to increased fire behavior on the northwestern side of the blaze, with aircraft playing a large role. The fire is currently estimated at 3,152 acres. Oregon State Fire Marshal structural resources remain focused on protecting impacted homes, while wildland firefighters continue to focus on constructing fireline directly against the fire's edge. Unified Command is receiving support from Pacific Power teams on the response to the East Evans Creek Fire. As people are returning to their homes, Pacific Power will continue to coordinate with the incident management team on restoring power as it is safe to do so. For more information on outage restoration times, please visit www.pacificpower.net/outages. Unseasonably dry wildland fuels, in combination with continuous critical fire weather this week and a heightened potential for lightning, is an added challenge for firefighters. A Level 1: Be Ready to evacuate warning for Zones JAC-003, JAC-004, JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-036, JAC-109, JAC-126, and JAC-149-B, a Level 2: Be Set warning for Zones JAC-016, JAC-124, JAC-147, and JAC-148-B, and a Level 3: Go Now for Zone JAC-148-A are still in effect. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office reports an evacuation shelter for residents and domestic pets is still in place at Hanby Middle School, 806 6th Avenue, Gold Hill. All livestock can be taken to the Jackson County Expo, 21 Peninger Road in Central Point.

 

Fire crews tackling the East Evans Creek Fire have reported increased fire behavior on the north end of the blaze, citing hot temperatures and windy conditions. In the latest update from the Oregon Department of Forestry, the activity has contributed to a large smoke plume above the incident. Despite the uptick in fire behavior, all established lines have continued to hold, keeping the fire at an estimated 3,153.9 acres, according to the Watch Duty app. ODF says aircraft are focusing on these affected areas, including three Large Air Tankers, three Type 1, six Type 2 and three Type 3 helicopters, a lead plane and an air attack platform. Retardant drops are used to create temporary fire line to slow the spread. The helicopters are performing water bucket drops to douse hot spots. Firefighters are remaining engaged on the southern portion of the line where the majority of homes are located. Watch Duty reports the fire is at the top of Spignet Butte, with a spot fire north of the butte. A Level 1: Be Ready to evacuate warning for Zones JAC-003, JAC-004, JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-036, JAC-109, JAC-126, and JAC-149-B, a Level 2: Be Set warning for Zones JAC-016, JAC-124, JAC-147, and JAC-148-B, and a Level 3: Go Now for Zone JAC-148-A are still in effect.

 

Firefighters continued forward progress on the Evans Creek Fire overnight, with lines reinforced on the southern portion, and structural resources remaining to protect residences. The latest Oregon Department of Forestry update shows that favorable morning conditions and overnight humidity aided in the firefighter's containment efforts. Wind and critical fire weather expectedly move in today through early next week. A shift in wind has already moved smoke from the blaze into Josephine County according to Rural Metro. The Watch Duty App shows the fire at 3,153.9 acres. Aerial suppression operations were limited this morning due to an inversion, but remain available. Crews continue adapting to changing conditions while strengthening containment, protecting communities, and limiting fire growth opportunities. A Level 1: Be Ready to evacuate warning for Zones JAC-003, JAC-004, JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-036, JAC-109, JAC-126, and JAC-149-B, a Level 2: Be Set warning for Zones JAC-016, JAC-124, JAC-147, and JAC-148-B, and a Level 3: Go Now for Zone JAC-148-A are still in effect.

 

Firefighters working on the East Evans Creek Fire continue to make progress building line around the perimeter and protecting structures near the edge of the blaze. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Saturday evening update, containment lines have held, and firefighters continue to build on that progress. The fire is currently estimated to be 2,656 acres. Firefighters are preparing for several days of critical fire weather including high temperatures, gusty winds, and potential lightning. The ODF Southwest Oregon District, Bureau of Land Management Medford District, and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service ordered ODF Complex Incident Management Team 1. Governor Tina Kotek's invocation of the Emergency Conflagration Act mobilized the Oregon State Fire Marshal Blue Incident Management Team to protect structures near the fire. Growth of the fire was minimized through the day, however small spot fires were found. Resources included helicopters, air tankers, engines, crews, and bulldozers. A Level 1: Be Ready to evacuate warning for Zones JAC-003, JAC-004, JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-036, JAC-109, JAC-126, and JAC-149-B, a Level 2: Be Set warning for Zones JAC-016, JAC-124, JAC-147, and JAC-148-B, and a Level 3: Go Now for Zone JAC-148-A are still in effect.

 

Firefighters assigned to the East Evans Creek Fire, burning on private and Bureau of Land Management lands approximately 26 miles northeast of Medford near the 18000 block of East Evans Creek Road, are continuing suppression efforts. According to an Oregon Department of Forestry release, the fire, reported Friday at 2:40 p.m. following a car crash involving downed power lines, is estimated to be approximately 2,655.9 acres. Personnel assigned to the incident include 20-person hand crews, engines, dozers, water tenders, heavy equipment, aviation resources and structural task forces. Crew's objectives include reinforcing and strengthening existing fire line, extending hose lays, and improving firefighter access. ODF Incident Management Team 1 will assume command of the incident this evening. The Oregon State Fire Marshal reported it mobilized four structural task forces and its Blue Incident Management Team to the fast-moving blaze. An evacuation shelter for residents and domestic pets has been established at Hanby Middle School, 806 6th Avenue, Gold Hill. Large Animal Shelters are available at the Jackson County Expo, 21 Peninger Road in Central Point, and the Josephine County Fairgrounds at 1451 Fairgrounds Road. A Level 1: Be Ready to evacuate warning for Zones JAC-003, JAC-004, JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-036, JAC-109, JAC-126, and JAC-149-B, a Level 2: Be Set warning for Zones JAC-016, JAC-124, JAC-147, and JAC-148-B, and a Level 3: Go Now for Zone JAC-148-A are still in effect.

 

Firefighters were dispatched to a grass fire occurring along East Evans Creek Road. The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District said the fire is being driven by wind and steep terrain. The Watch Duty app reports the fire is at an estimated 1,000 acres. ODF posted a Facebook update at 6:15 p.m., saying firefighters continue an aggressive suppression effort under extreme heat, low relative humidity, steep terrain, and challenging fire conditions. Crews were successful in catching two spot fires, but a third contributed to increased fire growth. The fire is also burning into the East Evans Fire scar, and the combination of steep terrain and active spot fires continues to challenge suppression efforts. Smoke is hampering aviation operations on portions of the fire, limiting the effectiveness of aircraft in some areas. Despite these challenges, firefighters continue working hard on the ground and in the air to slow the fire's spread. Additional resources are being ordered to support firefighting efforts throughout the night. ODF Incident Management Team 1 has been ordered and will assume command to support ongoing suppression operations. A Level 1: Be Ready to evacuate warning for Zones JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-036 and JAC-147, a Level 2: Be Set warning for Zone JAC-016, JAC-124 and JAC-148-B, and a Level 3: Go Now for Zone JAC-148-A have been issued in the area of the 18,000 block of East Evans Creek Rd. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office reports traffic is blocked on E Evans Creek Road at Meadows Road on the east side and W Fork Evans Creek Road on the west side. Please avoid the area as fire crews do their work. For more information on the Evacuation Levels go to: https://wildfire.oregon.gov/Pages/evacuations.aspx

 

Oregon State Police responded to five vehicle crashes Thursday, with one of them resulting in non-life threatening injuries for a motorcyclist.

The first incident occurred at 9:14 a.m. at near milepost 74 on Interstate 5. Troopers responded to a crash where a gold Ford drove out of its lane to the left while attempting to pass a semi-truck. The Ford went into the center median barrier and crashed into the truck on its left side.

The semi was able to leave the scene under its own power, while the Ford was towed, and its driver was cited for failing to drive within his lane.

A 9:33 a.m. crash then occurred at milepost 75 of I-5. The driver of a silver Saturn Ion lost control of her vehicle and struck a motorhome and the center concrete divider. Both vehicles needed to be towed from the scene, and the Saturn's driver was warned for Careless Driving and Failure to Drive Within Lane.

Troopers next responded around 2:16 p.m. to a motorcycle crash on Azalea Drive near Ewe Creek Road. The rider failed to negotiate a curve and went into a ditch, resulting in him being ejected from the bike. He told troopers he didn't remember the crash, and was transported to the hospital for his injuries. He was also cited for Driving While Suspended and Uninsured, and Failure to Display Plate and Drive Within Lane.

A two vehicle incident on I-5 at milepost 61 resulted in blocked traffic at 6:26 p.m. The involved Ford Taurus was found to have brake issues. It had rear ended a Mazda MZ3, resulting in the crash. Both drivers refused transport to Three Rivers Medical Center.

Lastly, troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash at milepost 18 on Route 260 around 8:51 p.m. The driver failed to navigate a curve, left the roadway, and crashed into a power pole. All occupants denied medical attention, and the vehicle was arranged to be towed.

 

The Grants Pass City Council is scheduled to meet for their workshop to discuss tax allocation and tourism following presentations, then meet in Executive Session Monday morning. The meeting, starting at 11:45 a.m. will begin with a Lodging Tax allocation presentation. Council will hear a review of the Tourism Grant Program, then hold a discussion for the Owl Plaza. An agenda review will follow covering Wednesday's business meeting, and any potential items to be added to the calendar. Council will then adjourn the meeting and reconvene in Executive Session for labor negotiations. The public is welcome to attend the workshop in person or virtually by going to www.grantspassoregon.gov.

 

Walmart Loss Prevention alerted dispatch to a man attempting to steal merchandise, leading to the suspect being cited by Grants Pass Police.

The suspect, later identified as Mark Fuller, was observed attempting to steal items from the 135 NE Terry Lane supercenter Thursday around 5:19 p.m. Loss prevention was able to retrieve said items valued at about $138 from the man and an unknown female.

Walmart wished to trespass the suspects and pursue a theft charge. Officers were able to apprehend Mark Fuller, but were unable to locate the female suspect. Fuller was arrested and trespassed from the store. Officers issued him a citation to appear for Second Degree Theft, then released him.