State Fire Marshal Mobilizes Four Task Forces to Jackson County Wildfire

MEDFORD, Ore. (Jul. 11, 2026) — The Oregon State Fire Marshal is sending additional firefighting resources to Jackson County as the rapidly growing East Evans Creek Road Fire (Evans Creek Road Fire) continues to threaten homes and communities in northern Jackson County.

The fire, which ignited Friday, has grown to more than 1,500 acres under hot, dry conditions and remains a significant threat to nearby neighborhoods. In response, the Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing four structural firefighting task forces along with its Blue Incident Management Team to support local crews battling the wildfire.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has issued Level 1 (“Be Ready”), Level 2 (“Be Set”), and Level 3 (“Go Now”) evacuation notices for areas threatened by the fire. Residents are urged to monitor the sheriff’s office for the latest evacuation information and updates.

The newly deployed resources include structural task forces from Lincoln, Linn, Marion, and the South Coast, representing Coos, Curry, Lane, and Douglas counties. They will join a Klamath County task force and a Douglas County strike team that were mobilized Friday evening through Oregon’s Immediate Response system to bolster local structural firefighting efforts.

“This fire is a reminder how quickly things can change with the dry conditions we have across the state,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Chief Deputy Travis Medema said in a statement. “We have a long way to go this fire season, and I ask every Oregonian to do their part to prevent wildfires.”

The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Blue Incident Management Team will assume unified command alongside Oregon Department of Forestry Team 1, coordinating suppression efforts as additional personnel and equipment arrive.

Late Friday, Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act, authorizing the Oregon State Fire Marshal to mobilize additional firefighting resources through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System. It marks the first time the Emergency Conflagration Act has been invoked in Oregon during the 2026 wildfire season.

The East Evans Creek Road Fire has been fueled by extreme heat, low humidity, and dry vegetation, prompting an aggressive response from state and local agencies as firefighters work to protect lives, homes, and critical infrastructure.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal became an independent state agency in July 2023 and works with local fire agencies and partners across Oregon to strengthen wildfire prevention, preparedness, and emergency response.