Containment Climbs to 17% as Crews Catch New Spot Fires on East Evans Creek Fire
Firefighters hold several new starts to small sizes, reinforce Board Mountain lines and prepare for a midweek threat of dry lightning
FAST FIRE FACTS
Name: East Evans Creek Fire
Location: About 7 miles west of Shady Cove
Acres: 15,015, latest official mapping
Containment: 17%
Control Line: More than 60 miles established
Current Focus: Board Mountain and Canyon Creek spot fires
Evacuations: New Level 1 notices for JAC-161 and JAC-204
Weather: Dry lightning threat Wednesday
Cause: Vehicle crash into a power pole
Latest Maps: View current fire maps
East Evans Creek Fire PM update for 7/20/26 - Day 10
An aerial view shows the rugged, forested terrain surrounding the East Evans Creek Fire, where crews are strengthening control lines and continuing mop-up across multiple portions of the incident. (Oregon Department of Forestry)
SAMS VALLEY, Ore. — Firefighters caught several new spot fires and breaches of control line Monday while continuing to gain ground on the East Evans Creek Fire, increasing containment to 17% as the incident marked its 10th day.
Cloud cover helped moderate fire behavior in some areas, giving crews opportunities to connect and strengthen fireline. Elsewhere, wind pushed activity and produced several new spot fires, all of which firefighters were able to stop while still small.
Crews have now established more than 60 miles of control line across the incident.
The latest official mapping places the fire at 15,015 acres. An overnight infrared flight has been requested to provide updated acreage and heat mapping Tuesday morning.
BOARD MOUNTAIN REMAINS MOST ACTIVE AREA
The Board Mountain spot fire continues to be the most active portion of the incident.
Fire crossed a control line along the southeastern flank Monday morning, but firefighters working the southern portion of the fire were able to stop the spread and tighten the line using heavy equipment and helicopters.
Crews also continued reinforcing the southern and southeastern perimeter following several days of increased activity near and south of Boswell Mountain.
Structural water tenders supported helicopter operations by continuously supplying water at dip locations, allowing aircraft to maintain suppression work throughout the day.
Firefighters are also identifying and lining pockets of unburned vegetation inside the fire perimeter.
Those green islands can become a threat if they ignite later and throw embers across established lines. Crews may conduct small, controlled firing operations Monday night in some areas to remove those fuels under more favorable conditions.
NEW LEVEL 1 EVACUATION NOTICES ISSUED SOUTH OF FIRE
In response to increased activity along the southern portion of the Board Mountain spot fire over the past several days, Jackson County officials issued new precautionary Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuation notices Monday.
Zones JAC-161 and JAC-204, located south of the fire, are now under Level 1 evacuation notices.
No immediate evacuation was ordered for those zones, but residents are being asked to remain alert and prepared in case conditions change.
NEW SPOT FIRES CAUGHT NEAR CANYON CREEK
Aircraft detected several small spot fires around the Canyon Creek portion of the incident west of Shady Cove.
Firefighters quickly responded and stopped the spots before they could grow significantly.
Crews continued extinguishing remaining heat Monday and will work the new spots overnight.
Firefighters are also addressing pockets of unburned vegetation inside the Canyon Creek footprint that could ignite and threaten surrounding control lines.
Flames burn through forest vegetation overnight on the East Evans Creek Fire as crews continue working to secure control lines and extinguish remaining heat. (Rural Metro Fire)
DEEPER MOP-UP UNDERWAY ACROSS FIRE
Crews continue making significant progress in more stable portions of the incident.
On the spot fire northwest of Hull Mountain near Ramsey Canyon Road, firefighters are approaching 100 feet of mop-up from the perimeter into the burned area on all sides.
Structural engines continue supplying water up steep terrain to support that work.
Along portions of the main fire, crews have also pushed mop-up approximately 75 to 100 feet inside established control lines.
The deeper mop-up creates a wider buffer between remaining heat and the fireline, reducing the chance that burning material or falling trees could rekindle vegetation near the perimeter.
FIREFIGHTERS WILL USE INFRARED TO FIND HIDDEN HEAT
Overnight crews will continue strengthening lines and expanding mop-up throughout the incident.
Warmer nighttime temperatures and lower humidity could allow some heat to become more visible, helping firefighters identify remaining hot spots.
Handheld infrared equipment will again be used to locate heat that may not be visible from the surface.
Structural resources remain positioned around Shady Cove, Trail, Long Branch, Dry Creek, Antioch, Jones Road and Pomeroy.
As mop-up progresses around homes, firefighters are increasingly able to move farther outward while maintaining protection around threatened communities.
Firefighters coordinate nighttime operations as active fire burns along a nearby ridge on the East Evans Creek Fire. (Rural Metro Fire)
DRY LIGHTNING THREAT EMERGES FOR WEDNESDAY
Firefighters are now watching a new weather concern later this week.
The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for the potential for abundant lightning on dry fuels from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday.
Atmospheric instability could produce thunderstorms over the fire area, but meaningful rainfall is not guaranteed.
That raises the possibility of dry lightning capable of starting new fires in vegetation already stressed by prolonged heat and dry conditions.
Fire managers have pre-identified a group of resources from the East Evans Creek Fire that can assist local agencies with initial attack if new fires start.
Hot temperatures and windy conditions also remain in the extended forecast.
LATEST FIRE MAPS
The July 20 Briefing Map shows the East Evans Creek Fire at 15,015 acres, including the main fire and associated spot-fire perimeters extending east toward Board Mountain and Boswell Mountain. For the second night, no new infrared flight was completed due to limited resources, but updated official perimeter mapping was released Monday morning. View all current maps on the East Evans Creek Fire Maps page. (Oregon Department of Forestry)
The latest official mapping places the East Evans Creek Fire at 15,015 acres.
Firefighters requested an overnight infrared flight Monday to provide updated acreage and identify remaining heat across the incident.
Monday’s operations map reflects expanded fire activity around Board Mountain and the extensive network of completed and planned control lines now surrounding much of the incident.
Crews have established more than 60 miles of control line across the main fire and associated spot fires.
Any updated infrared mapping released Tuesday morning may refine the current acreage and provide a clearer picture of heat remaining inside the perimeter.
View the complete collection of current public information, infrared, operations and briefing maps on the East Evans Creek Fire Maps page.
FIRE WEATHER
Cloud cover helped moderate fire behavior across portions of the incident Monday, but wind continued to challenge crews in other areas and contributed to several new spot fires.
Hot temperatures and windy conditions remain in the extended forecast.
A new concern is developing for Wednesday.
The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday for the potential for abundant lightning on dry fuels.
Thunderstorms could develop over the fire area, but precipitation is uncertain. Lightning without meaningful rainfall could ignite new fires across critically dry vegetation.
Fire managers have identified resources that can be quickly redirected to assist local agencies with new fire starts if necessary.
FIRE DANGER
Extreme fire danger remains in effect on Oregon Department of Forestry-protected lands across Jackson and Josephine counties. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level remains at Level 2.
Activities prohibited under Extreme fire danger include:
Using power saws, including battery- and electric-powered chainsaws
Cutting, grinding or welding metal
Mowing dried or cured grass
Operating other spark-emitting internal-combustion equipment
Mowing green, irrigated lawns and agricultural harvesting remain exempt.
Debris burning, fireworks, tracer ammunition and exploding targets remain prohibited. Campfires and charcoal fires are allowed only in designated campgrounds.
ODF urges residents and visitors to use extreme caution with anything that could start a fire and immediately report new fires by calling 911.
EVACUATION LEVELS
The latest evacuation map showing level 1, 2, and 3 evacuations due to the East Evans Creek Fire. Residents should use the interactive Genasys map to check current conditions for a specific address. (Project Genasys)
Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 evacuation notices remain active in portions of Jackson and Douglas counties.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office upgraded evacuation levels Saturday evening as fire activity increased.
Because evacuation zones can change rapidly, residents should rely on the most recent county alerts and live evacuation mapping for their current status.
Level 3, Go: means leave immediately.
Level 2, Set: means be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.
Level 1, Ready: means remain alert, prepare your belongings and be ready for conditions to change.
Check your current evacuation zone and live evacuation map.
Level 3: Go Now
JAC-017
JAC-109
JAC-124
JAC-126
JAC-149B
Residents in Level 3 zones should remain out of the area until officials announce it is safe to return.
Level 2: Be Set
JAC-016
JAC-026
JAC-111
JAC-112
JAC-127
JAC-131
JAC-132
JAC-133
JAC-134
JAC-147
JAC-148
JAC-149A
JAC-203B
Level 1: Be Ready
JAC-003
JAC-004
JAC-014
JAC-036
JAC-158
JAC-161
JAC-203A
JAC-204
DOU-1012
DOU-1015
SHC-151
SHC-152
SHC-153
SHC-154
SHC-156
SHC-157
SHC-158
The SHC zones place Shady Cove under a Level 1: Be Ready notice.
Evacuation levels and boundaries may change as conditions develop. Residents should continue monitoring county alerts and verify their address through the official evacuation map.
EVACUATION SHELTER
Eagle Point Middle School at 477 Reese Creek Road is serving as the evacuation shelter for residents and domestic pets affected by the East Evans Creek Fire. (Google Street View)
The evacuation shelter for residents and domestic pets remains open at:
Eagle Point Middle School
477 Reese Creek Road, Eagle Point, OR 97524
Pets are welcome on the shelter property but cannot enter the school building. The American Red Cross has established a designated area for domestic pets.
Livestock sheltering remains available through the Jackson County Expo:
Jackson County Expo
21 Peninger Road, Central Point
Owners should call 541-776-7206 before arriving to confirm space is available. The same number may be used for medical or livestock sheltering assistance.
A Jackson County Roads employee staffs a closure as an electronic sign warns drivers of nearby fire activity. (Courtesy Jackson County Parks)
CLOSURES
The following closures remain in effect:
Tiller-Trail Highway from the Jackson County line to Highway 62
East Evans Creek Road at Meadows Road
West Fork Evans Creek Road
Rock Creek Road
Rogue Elk Park, including the campground, day-use area and boat ramp
Dodge Bridge Boat Ramp, currently used as a firefighting water-supply site
BLM-administered lands near the fire remain closed to public entry, including hunting, hiking and camping.
A 24-hour Temporary Flight Restriction remains in effect over the fire. Flying a drone near the incident is illegal and may force firefighting aircraft to stop operating.
Cover photo: Smoke rises from portions of the East Evans Creek Fire at sunset as crews continue suppression and mop-up operations across the incident. (Oregon Department of Forestry)
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