East Evans Creek Fire Activity Increases as Crews Brace for Thunderstorms
JAC-124 Upgraded to Level 3 as Additional Resources Head to the 3,628-Acre Fire
FAST FIRE FACTS
Name: East Evans Creek Fire
Location: Approximately seven miles west of Shady Cove
Acres: 3,628, latest infrared-mapped estimate
Containment: 5%, latest reported
Fire activity: Increased Monday across portions of the incident
Evacuations:
Level 3: JAC-124, JAC-148A (all evacuations)
Current concerns: Thunderstorms, erratic winds, lightning and possible new fire starts
Primary focus: Holding southern lines, strengthening control features and protecting structures
Next mapping: Another infrared flight ordered Monday night
Cause: Vehicle crashed into a power pole; the cause of the crash remains under investigation
Updated: Monday evening, July 13, 2026
Have fire photos or video? Send them our way.
A towering smoke column rises above the East Evans Creek Fire on Monday as warmer temperatures and dry conditions increase fire activity across portions of the incident. (Oregon Department of Forestry)
East Evans Creek Fire PM update for 7/13/26.
SAMS VALLEY, Ore. — Warmer temperatures and dry conditions increased fire activity across portions of the East Evans Creek Fire Monday, prompting firefighters to adjust suppression tactics, order additional resources and prepare for thunderstorms that could bring erratic winds and new fire starts.
Jackson County officials upgraded evacuation zone JAC-124 from Level 2 to Level 3: Go Now as conditions changed. The zone includes the 22705 through 24100 blocks of East Evans Creek Road.
The fire remains last mapped at 3,628 acres and 5% containment. Oregon Department of Forestry officials did not release a revised acreage Monday evening, but another infrared flight was ordered to map the fire’s movement, current footprint and updated size.
Officials said control lines along the southern portion of the fire remain holding and unchanged. Firefighters will continue working through the night as warm overnight temperatures could allow active burning and a visible smoke column to persist into Tuesday morning.
A wildfire is bringing smoke and a potential for decreased air quality to portions of southwest Oregon and Northern California. Smoke is expected to spread south and eastward and southeastward today across parts of eastern Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, northern Lake and Siskiyou counties. Monitor air quality conditions at fire.airnow.gov and for those sensitive to smoke, avoid going outdoors. (NWS Medford)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES HEADING TO FIRE
ODF Complex Incident Management Team 1 ordered additional firefighting resources to support suppression efforts Tuesday as crews prepare for another potentially active day.
An approaching weather system is expected to increase atmospheric instability, bringing the possibility of thunderstorms and gusty, erratic winds. Lightning could also ignite new fires elsewhere in the region.
Unified Command said resources will be ready to respond if additional fires are reported.
Smoke rises from active fire burning through forested terrain on the East Evans Creek Fire Monday. Warmer temperatures and dry conditions increased fire behavior across portions of the incident, prompting additional resource orders and changes in suppression tactics. (Oregon Department of Forestry)
CREWS ADJUST TACTICS AS CONDITIONS CHANGE
Firefighters continue constructing, improving and holding containment lines where conditions allow.
In steep terrain and areas with limited access, crews are using a combination of direct and indirect tactics. Direct attack places firefighters near the fire’s edge, while indirect lines are constructed farther away using roads, ridges or other defensible features.
Heavy equipment is reopening roads and improving older firelines within previous burn scars to support operations across the incident.
Aircraft worked alongside ground crews Monday, cooling hotspots, slowing fire spread in active areas and assisting firefighters where visibility and conditions allowed.
STRUCTURE CREWS REPOSITIONED
Oregon State Fire Marshal task forces were repositioned throughout the incident Monday as fire conditions and areas of concern changed.
Working with wildland crews, structural firefighters were assigned to locations where homes and other buildings faced the greatest potential threat.
Crews conducted structure triage and searched neighborhoods for wind-driven embers and new ignitions. Officials said identifying and extinguishing those starts quickly remains an important part of protecting homes around the fire.
A helicopter works beneath heavy smoke on the East Evans Creek Fire as aircraft support crews on the ground with water and retardant drops Monday afternoon. (Oregon Department of Forestry)
A July 13 briefing map shows the latest mapped perimeter of the East Evans Creek Fire, along with division assignments, completed and planned fire lines, access routes, staging areas and water sources. The map lists the fire at 3,152 acres but overnight IR flight mapping has put the fire at 3628 acres. (Oregon Department of Forestry/Oregon State Fire Marshal)
SOUTHERN CONTROL LINES CONTINUE TO HOLD
ODF said control lines along the southern portion of the East Evans Creek Fire remain holding and unchanged.
Firefighters will continue strengthening existing lines overnight while engaging directly along the fire’s edge where it is safe to do so. Crews will also continue building indirect containment lines farther from the perimeter in areas where terrain and access limit direct attack.
Warm overnight temperatures may allow active fire behavior and visible smoke to continue into Tuesday morning.
WILDLAND VEHICLE INCIDENT UNDER INVESTIGATION
A wildland firefighting vehicle was involved in an incident on the fire Monday.
ODF said no personnel were injured. An investigation will be conducted, and no additional details were available Monday evening.
Current evacuation zones surrounding the Evans Creek Road Fire are shown on the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office emergency map Saturday morning. Red marks Level 3, yellow Level 2 and green Level 1 areas. (Jackson County Sheriff’s Office / Genasys Protect)
UPDATED EVACUATION LEVELS
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management continue maintaining Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 evacuation zones around the fire.
Level 3, Go Now
JAC-124
JAC-148A
JAC-124 includes the 22705 through 24100 blocks of East Evans Creek Road.
JAC-148A includes residences adjacent to East Evans Creek Road from addresses 19385 through 21899. Residences at 21612 Antioch Road and 21615 Antioch Road are also included.
Residents in Level 3 zones should leave immediately and should not return until officials announce that the area is safe.
Level 2, Be Set
JAC-016
JAC-147
JAC-148B
Level 1, Be Ready
JAC-003
JAC-004
JAC-017
JAC-026
JAC-036
JAC-109
JAC-126
JAC-149B
Residents should continue monitoring official alerts and be prepared for evacuation levels to change.
SHELTER AND LIVESTOCK INFORMATION
An evacuation shelter for residents and domestic pets remains open at:
Hanby Middle School
806 Sixth Avenue
Gold Hill
Horses and other livestock may be taken to:
Jackson County Expo
21 Peninger Road
Central Point
Owners should call 541-776-7206 before arriving to confirm space remains available. Officials recommend bringing feed, water containers and necessary medications when possible.
ROAD AND AIRSPACE RESTRICTIONS
East Evans Creek Road remains closed to public traffic at Meadows Road.
Officials are asking the public to avoid the fire area so firefighters and heavy equipment can operate safely.
A temporary flight restriction remains in effect over the incident 24 hours a day. Flying a drone near a wildfire is illegal and can force firefighting aircraft to stop operating.
The fire began at approximately 2:41 p.m. Friday after a vehicle crashed into a power pole and ignited dry vegetation. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office continues investigating the cause of the crash.
Cover image: Heavy equipment works along a forest road on the East Evans Creek Fire. Crews are reopening roads and improving older firelines in previous burn scars to support direct and indirect suppression operations. (Oregon Department of Forestry)
More Firewatch
