SAMS VALLEY, Ore. (Jul. 18, 2026) — The East Evans Creek Fire grew to 13,999 acres Saturday as firefighters battled worsening weather conditions that pushed a spot fire across containment lines, prompting upgraded evacuation levels in parts of Jackson County.
The fire is being fought by 2,089 personnel assigned to the incident, with crews facing hotter temperatures, lower humidity and gusty winds that increased fire activity across several areas of the fire.
The most significant fire activity occurred on the southwestern edge of the Board Mountain spot fire, where flames crossed containment lines and spread into adjacent wildland fuels south of Boswell Mountain. Fire officials estimate the new spot fire has grown to about 150 acres.
Air tankers and additional helicopters were immediately dispatched to slow the fire’s spread, allowing ground crews to begin constructing direct fireline around the new growth.
Along the northern edge of the Board Mountain spot fire, firefighters also contended with multiple spot fires that challenged containment efforts. Crews successfully caught several areas where flames crossed firelines, establishing new containment lines and cooling hotspots. Fire managers said large areas of unburned vegetation continue to make the area difficult to secure, and firefighters may conduct tactical firing operations Saturday night to remove vegetation near containment lines in a controlled effort to strengthen defenses.
Elsewhere on the incident, firefighters continued extensive mop-up operations on the Canyon Creek spot fire, the easternmost section of the incident, where the fire remained within established control lines. Structural protection crews also continued preparing homes in the Shady Cove, Trail and Ramsey Canyon Road communities.
Northwest of Hull Mountain, crews worked in steep, rugged terrain to connect sections of fireline while completing structural protection work. Officials said increased water availability has strengthened suppression efforts in the area.
On the main fire, crews remained focused on mop-up operations, reinforcing existing firelines and removing hazardous fire-weakened trees. Firefighters are also using handheld infrared cameras to locate hidden heat beneath the ground near homes and firelines, allowing crews to expose and extinguish hotspots before they can reignite.
A morning temperature inversion limited aircraft operations because of poor visibility, but aviation resources returned in the afternoon to cool active portions of the fire and support firefighters constructing direct fireline. A similar inversion is expected Sunday morning.
Forecasters are calling for hotter, drier weather with increasing instability, gusty winds and the potential for thunderstorms over the coming days. Fire officials said those conditions, combined with extremely dry vegetation, could increase the risk of new fire growth from wind-driven embers or lightning.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has upgraded evacuation levels in response to the increased fire activity. Residents are urged to monitor official evacuation information as conditions continue to change.
A community meeting is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, at 2 p.m. at the Shady Cove School Gym, 100 Cleveland St., Shady Cove, where incident managers will provide an operational update and answer questions from the public.
The fire began at 2:41 p.m. on July 10 after a vehicle crashed into a power pole, igniting dry vegetation. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the crash.
The Tiller-Trail Highway remains closed from the Jackson County line to Highway 62, and East Evans Creek Road is closed at Meadows Road. Additional road closures remain in effect on Bureau of Land Management roads in the fire area, and a closure order continues to prohibit public access to nearby BLM lands, including hunting, hiking and camping. A temporary flight restriction also remains in place, and officials reminded the public that flying drones near wildfires is illegal and can interfere with firefighting operations.
Smoke from the fire is expected to continue affecting nearby communities, particularly during overnight and morning hours when smoke settles into valleys. Residents are encouraged to monitor local air quality conditions and follow evacuation notices as fire conditions evolve.
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