East Evans Creek Fire Pushes Across Lines, New Spot Fire Grows Near Boswell Mountain
Hot, dry and windy conditions fuel increased activity as crews attack a new 150-acre spot fire
FAST FIRE FACTS
Name: East Evans Creek Fire
Location: Approximately 7 miles west of Shady Cove
Acres: 13,999, latest reported mapping
Containment: 8%, latest reported
New Activity: Approximately 150-acre spot fire south of Boswell Mountain
Primary Activity: Board Mountain and areas south of Boswell Mountain
Canyon Creek Spot Fire: Holding within established control lines
Hull Mountain: Fireline construction continues in steep terrain
Aircraft: Helicopters and air tankers supported suppression after the inversion lifted
Structure Protection: Active around Shady Cove, Trail, Ramsey Canyon Road and other threatened communities
Weather Concern: Hotter, drier, windier and increasingly unstable conditions with possible thunderstorms
Fire Danger: Extreme on ODF-protected lands across Jackson and Josephine counties
Evacuations: Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 notices remain active; additional upgrades were issued Saturday
Community Meeting: Sunday, July 19 at 2 p.m., Shady Cove School Gym
Latest Maps: View current East Evans Creek Fire maps
Cause: Vehicle crashed into a power pole; the cause of the crash remains under investigation
Updated: Saturday evening, July 18, 2026
East Evans Creek Fire PM update for 7/18/26.
A bulldozer constructs and improves fireline through burned and smoke-filled timber on the East Evans Creek Fire as heavy equipment crews work to strengthen containment. (Oregon Department of Forestry)
SAMS VALLEY, Ore. — Hotter temperatures, lower humidity and gusty winds tested containment lines across the East Evans Creek Fire Saturday, pushing fire across control lines near Board Mountain and prompting an aggressive response from aircraft and ground crews.
The fire remains 13,999 acres and 8% contained based on the latest reported mapping and containment figures.
Firefighters anticipated the changing conditions and positioned additional resources in areas expected to become more active. Those preparations paid off as crews quickly caught numerous spot fires and slopovers that developed during the afternoon.
The most significant activity occurred along the southwestern edge of the Board Mountain spot fire, where flames crossed containment lines and spotted into wildland fuels south of Boswell Mountain.
The new spot fire is estimated at approximately 150 acres.
Air tankers were immediately ordered, additional helicopters were launched, and firefighters began constructing direct fireline as aircraft worked to reduce fire intensity and slow the spread.
BOARD MOUNTAIN ACTIVITY CHALLENGES CONTROL LINES
Fire activity increased along both the southern and northern portions of the Board Mountain spot fire Saturday.
South of Boswell Mountain, the fire crossed containment lines and established the new 150-acre spot fire. Aircraft, bulldozers and hand crews worked together to slow its progression and establish direct line.
Along the northern edge, additional spot fires pushed against containment lines in several locations.
Firefighters caught areas where flames crossed the line, quickly establishing new fireline and cooling those areas before they could grow significantly.
Large pockets of unburned vegetation remain between portions of the fire and established control lines, making the area difficult to secure.
Crews may conduct tactical firing operations overnight to deliberately remove those fuels under controlled conditions and strengthen containment.
CANYON CREEK SPOT FIRE HOLDS
The Canyon Creek spot fire, closest to Shady Cove and Trail, remained within established control lines Saturday.
Firefighters continued extensive mop-up, working inside the perimeter to reduce heat and extinguish hot spots that could threaten containment lines.
Structural resources remained active in the Shady Cove, Trail and Ramsey Canyon Road areas, continuing home assessments and reinforcing structure protection plans.
HULL MOUNTAIN LINE WORK CONTINUES
Northwest of Hull Mountain, firefighters continued connecting sections of fireline through steep and rugged terrain.
The terrain has slowed construction, but crews continue making progress toward limiting additional growth.
Structure preparation in the area is nearly complete, while coordinated water-supply operations have increased the amount of water available to firefighters working the perimeter.
Incident personnel update operational maps at East Evans Creek Fire camp as a large smoke column rises in the background. (Oregon Department of Forestry)
MAIN FIRE REMAINS IN MOP-UP
Across the main body of the East Evans Creek Fire, crews remain focused on mop-up, strengthening fireline and removing dangerous snags.
Firefighters are using handheld infrared cameras near firelines and homes to locate heat buried beneath the surface.
Once detected, crews dig out and extinguish those hot spots with water and hand tools to prevent them from rekindling as temperatures rise.
AIRCRAFT RETURN AFTER INVERSION LIFTS
A morning inversion again limited aviation operations Saturday because of poor visibility.
Once conditions improved during the afternoon, aircraft were able to begin working active portions of the fire.
Helicopters and air tankers cooled hot areas and reduced fire intensity, giving firefighters on the ground opportunities to construct line closer to the fire’s edge.
A similar inversion is expected Sunday morning and could again delay aviation operations until smoke clears.
CRITICAL WEATHER REMAINS A CONCERN
Hotter and drier weather is expected to continue over the next several days, accompanied by increased atmospheric instability and wind.
Forecasters are also monitoring the potential for thunderstorms.
Critically dry vegetation remains highly receptive to ignition from both wind-carried embers and lightning, increasing the potential for new spot fires and rapid changes in fire behavior.
COMMUNITY MEETING SUNDAY
Fire officials will hold another community meeting Sunday, July 19 at 2 p.m.
Shady Cove School Gym
100 Cleveland Street
Shady Cove, OR 97539
The meeting will include a brief operational update on the East Evans Creek Fire and will also stream through the ODF Southwest Oregon District Facebook page.
LATEST FIRE MAPS
The July 17 public information map shows the East Evans Creek Fire at 13,090 acres, including the main western perimeter and associated spot fires extending east toward Board Mountain, Boswell Mountain and Canyon Creek. View all current maps on the East Evans Creek Fire Maps page. (Oregon Department of Forestry)
The latest public information and infrared maps show the updated East Evans Creek Fire perimeter, associated spot fires and their relationship to nearby communities, roads and terrain.
Updated mapping reflects the fire at 13,999 acres Saturday morning.
The latest public information and infrared maps show the East Evans Creek Fire perimeter, associated spot fires and their relationship to nearby communities, roads and terrain.
Saturday afternoon’s increased activity occurred after the latest overnight mapping, including the estimated 150-acre spot fire south of Boswell Mountain. Updated overnight infrared mapping may further refine the fire’s acreage and perimeter.
Select the maps below to enlarge. View the complete collection of current public information, infrared, operations and briefing maps on the East Evans Creek Fire Maps page.
Fire Weather
A map of Watches, Warnings, and Advisories from NWS Medford shows the region expected to experience issues with air quality.
FIRE WEATHER
Hotter, drier and more unstable weather continues to challenge firefighters.
Saturday’s warmer temperatures, lower humidity and gusty winds contributed to increased fire behavior and spotting around Board Mountain.
Over the next several days, firefighters are preparing for:
Continued hot and dry conditions
Gusty afternoon winds
Increased atmospheric instability
Possible thunderstorms
Critically dry fuels receptive to both embers and lightning
A morning inversion is again expected Sunday and may initially moderate fire behavior while trapping smoke near the surface.
The inversion could also limit aircraft until visibility improves.
Once it lifts, warmer temperatures and increasing wind may lead to renewed fire activity.
Smoke from the East Evans Creek Fire may continue settling into valleys and other low-lying areas, reducing visibility and affecting air quality.
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 is urging residents and visitors to avoid activities that could spark a wildfire 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)
Jackson County officials issued upgraded evacuation levels Saturday as fire activity increased.
Because evacuation zones and boundaries can change rapidly during active fire conditions, residents should verify their current evacuation status through official county alerts and the live evacuation map.
Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 evacuation notices remain active across portions of Jackson and Douglas counties.
Level 3: Go Now
JAC-017
JAC-109
JAC-124
JAC-126
JAC-127A
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-127B
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-203A
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: A Western Lane Fire & EMS engine is positioned beneath a large smoke column on the East Evans Creek Fire as structural resources from agencies across Oregon continue supporting protection efforts around threatened communities. (Oregon Department of Forestry)
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