Evacuations Ordered as Wind-Driven East Evans Creek Fire Grows

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NEAR ROGUE RIVER, Ore. (Jul. 10, 2026) — Firefighters are battling a wind-driven grass fire that has grown quickly along Evans Creek Road, prompting a large emergency response and road closures Friday.

According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, multiple Type 6 engines and a Type 2 helicopter have been deployed to the fire, where crews are conducting an aggressive initial attack to slow the blaze’s spread.

Officials said the fire is being fueled by gusty winds and steep terrain, creating challenging conditions for firefighters working to contain the incident. Additional firefighting resources are responding to assist suppression efforts.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is also on scene, coordinating local road closures to support firefighting operations and ensure public safety.

No information on structures threatened, injuries, or the cause of the fire was immediately available.

WILDFIRE EVACUATION ALERTS (10:08P)

LEVEL 1: BE READY to evacuate for Zones JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-036, JAC-149-B, JAC-126, JAC-109, JAC-004, and JAC-003, in the area of the 18000 block of East Evans Creek Rd.

Level 2 – BE SET to evacuate for the following JAC-148, JAC-124, JAC-147, and JAC-016 in the area of 18000 block E Evans Creek Rd due to the East Evans Creek Rd

Level 3 – GO NOW! Evacuate immediately for JAC-148-A in the area of 18000 block E Evans Creek Rd due to the East Evans Creek Rd Fire

SHELTER INFORMATION:

An evacuation shelter for people and domestic pets is open at Hanby Middle School in Gold Hill. Address is 806 6th Ave. in Gold Hill.

6:40P UPDATE:

The Evans Creek Road Fire has grown rapidly and is now estimated between 700 and 1,000 acres as firefighters continue battling the blaze under extreme fire weather conditions, officials said Friday evening.

According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, the fire’s growth was fueled by multiple spot fires ignited ahead of the main fire. Firefighters successfully contained the first two spot fires, but a third spot fire escaped containment and contributed to significant fire expansion.

Crews from the Oregon Department of Forestry and numerous partner agencies remain engaged in an aggressive suppression effort despite extreme heat, low relative humidity, steep terrain and challenging fire behavior.

Officials said the fire is now burning into the footprint of the previous East Evans Fire, where rugged terrain and continued spot fire activity are making suppression efforts more difficult.

Smoke over portions of the incident is also limiting aviation operations, reducing the effectiveness of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft in some areas. Even with those limitations, firefighters continue attacking the fire from both the ground and the air in an effort to slow its spread.

Additional firefighting resources have been ordered and are expected to continue arriving throughout the night. Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 1 has also been mobilized and will assume command of the incident to support ongoing suppression operations.

8:30P UPDATE:

The Evans Creek Road Fire has grown to approximately 1,550 acres Friday evening as firefighters continue battling rapidly changing fire conditions in northern Jackson County.

Fire officials said the fire has crossed East Evans Creek Road and Meadows Road and continues to spread under extreme fire weather conditions. Hot temperatures, low relative humidity, steep terrain, and active fire behavior have combined to challenge suppression efforts throughout the day.

Firefighters from numerous local, state, and federal agencies remain engaged in an aggressive attack on the fire from both the ground and the air. Air tankers continue making retardant drops while helicopters support suppression operations. On the ground, crews are constructing and reinforcing containment lines in an effort to slow the fire’s advance and protect threatened areas.

Additional firefighting resources continue arriving to assist with the growing incident as officials work to gain control of the fast-moving wildfire.

Evacuation orders remain in effect for affected areas, and residents are urged to remain alert, follow all evacuation notices, and avoid the area to allow emergency personnel to operate safely.

10:40P UPDATE:

Firefighters will continue battling the fast-moving East Evans Fire through the night after another day of challenging fire behavior fueled by extreme heat, dry conditions and multiple spot fires.

According to the Oregon Department of Forestry’s final evening update issued at 10:30 p.m., the fire remained highly active throughout the day as hot, dry weather and repeated spot fires contributed to rapid growth and continued spread.

A significant overnight firefighting force has been assigned to the incident, including eight 20-person hand crews, eight Type 6 engines, four water tenders and four bulldozers. Crews will take advantage of cooler overnight temperatures and increasing humidity, which are expected to help moderate fire behavior and provide opportunities to strengthen containment lines.

Evacuation orders remain in effect for areas threatened by the fire. Residents are urged to monitor the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for the latest evacuation notices and other emergency information.

Firefighters will continue suppression efforts overnight as additional resources work to slow the fire’s advance and protect homes and infrastructure.

7/11/26 10:20A UPDATE:

Click below or here for the latest on the fire.