East Evans Creek Fire Reaches 13,090 Acres as Crews Secure Canyon Creek Spot Fire
Firefighters patrol nearly 60 miles of perimeter as extreme fire danger takes effect across Jackson and Josephine counties
FAST FIRE FACTS
Name: East Evans Creek Fire
Location: Approximately seven miles west of Shady Cove
Acres: 13,090
Containment: 5%
Fire perimeter: Nearly 60 miles
Primary activity: Board Mountain, Boswell Mountain, Spignet Butte and the western perimeter
Spot fires: Canyon Creek and Ramsey Creek remain within completed control lines
Aircraft: 14 helicopters assigned; air tankers available by request
Structure protection: Long Branch Road, Shady Cove, Trail, East Evans Creek Road, West Fork Evans Creek Road and Hull Mountain
Weather: Warming, drying conditions with gusty northwest winds
Fire danger: Extreme across ODF-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties
Cause: Vehicle crashed into a power pole; the cause of the crash remains under investigation
Updated: Friday morning, July 17, 2026
East Evans Creek Fire AM update for 7/17/26.
SAMS VALLEY, Ore. — The East Evans Creek Fire reached 13,090 acres Friday morning as firefighters completed line around the Canyon Creek spot fire and continued reinforcing control lines across nearly 60 miles of fire perimeter.
Containment remains at 5%.
Overnight crews completed line construction around the Canyon Creek spot fire and extended hose to the perimeter. Firefighters will spend Friday cooling heat near the edge and strengthening the newly built line.
The Ramsey Creek spot fire also remained within control lines overnight, while crews used natural fire progression and a small tactical firing operation to strengthen the northern perimeter of the Board Mountain spot fire.
A warming and drying trend is expected Friday, accompanied by gusty northwest winds. Fuels remain critically dry and highly receptive to embers despite cooler overnight temperatures and an inversion expected to moderate fire behavior during the morning.
Fourteen helicopters are assigned to support ground crews, although smoke and the morning inversion could limit visibility and delay aerial operations.
Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 evacuation notices remain in place across portions of Jackson and Douglas counties.
Residents should continue monitoring county alerts and verify their current zone through the official evacuation map. Conditions and boundaries may change as fire activity develops.
Firefighters and incident personnel gather for the morning operational briefing at East Evans Creek Fire camp as crews prepare for another day across the 13,090-acre incident. (Oregon Department of Forestry)
CANYON CREEK SPOT FIRE FULLY LINED
Overnight crews completed line construction around the Canyon Creek spot fire and established hose along the perimeter.
Day-shift firefighters will continue securing the area Friday by applying water near the fire’s edge, extinguishing remaining heat and reinforcing the line.
The spot fire is near Shady Cove and Trail, where structural crews have prepared homes and improved defensible space in recent days.
RAMSEY CREEK SPOT FIRE HOLDS
The Ramsey Creek spot fire remained within control lines built Thursday.
Firefighters worked overnight to strengthen those lines and will continue holding the fire within its current footprint Friday.
Structural resources have also completed assessments and preparation work in nearby neighborhoods, allowing crews to respond quickly if wind carries embers beyond established control features.
BOARD MOUNTAIN AND BOSWELL MOUNTAIN REMAIN ACTIVE
On the Board Mountain spot fire, firefighters used the fire’s natural progression and a small tactical firing operation to remove unburned vegetation between the fire’s edge and indirect line along the northern perimeter.
Crews will continue strengthening that line Friday.
The southern side of the Board Mountain spot fire remains active southwest of Boswell Mountain. Additional resources are working in that area to extend direct fireline and address spot fires.
The official public information and infrared maps show the main fire and several separated spot-fire perimeters extending east toward Board Mountain, Boswell Mountain and Canyon Creek.
WESTERN AND NORTHERN LINES REQUIRE CONTINUED WORK
Crews continue mopping up the southern edge of the main fire along East Evans Creek Road, focusing on areas near homes and extinguishing residual heat along the perimeter.
Along West Fork Evans Creek Road, firefighters are securing the edge and moving north to connect sections of fireline on the western side.
North of Spignet Butte, critically dry vegetation remains receptive to embers. Crews are widening fireline to reduce the chance that wind-driven embers cross containment features and ignite new spot fires.
A helicopter carries a water bucket above steep, smoke-filled terrain while supporting firefighters on the East Evans Creek Fire. Cover image. (Oregon Department of Forestry)
STRUCTURE PROTECTION REMAINS WIDESPREAD
Structural resources remain positioned throughout the fire area, including:
Long Branch Road
Shady Cove
Trail
East Evans Creek Road
West Fork Evans Creek Road
Hull Mountain
Crews continue preparing structures, improving defensible space, assessing additional neighborhoods and extinguishing lingering heat near threatened homes.
Structural engines are also supporting wildland crews with high-pressure pump systems, water tenders and portable water-delivery equipment in steep terrain.
DODGE BRIDGE BOAT RAMP CLOSED FOR FIRE OPERATIONS
A water-supply site has been established at the Dodge Bridge Boat Ramp to provide a reliable source for firefighting operations.
The boat ramp is now temporarily closed to public access so engines and water tenders can safely reach the river and supply crews working across the incident.
FOURTEEN HELICOPTERS ASSIGNED
Fourteen helicopters are assigned to the East Evans Creek Fire.
Aircraft will support ground operations by cooling active areas, slowing fire progression and providing information about fire movement and new spotting. Air tankers remain available by request.
The inversion and heavy smoke may restrict visibility and limit aerial operations until conditions improve.
EXTREME FIRE DANGER NOW IN EFFECT
Extreme fire danger took effect Friday on Oregon Department of Forestry-protected lands across Jackson and Josephine counties. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level remains at Level 2.
Under the Extreme designation, the following activities are prohibited:
Using power saws, including battery- and electric-powered chainsaws
Cutting, grinding or welding metal
Mowing dried or cured grass
Operating spark-emitting internal-combustion engines not otherwise exempted
Mowing green, irrigated lawns and harvesting agricultural crops remain exempt.
Existing restrictions also continue to prohibit debris burning, fireworks, exploding targets and tracer ammunition. Campfires and charcoal fires are permitted only in designated campgrounds, while motor vehicles generally must remain on improved roads free of flammable vegetation.
Fuel-powered generators may only be operated at residential homesites in cleared areas with a charged garden hose or qualifying fire extinguisher immediately available.
People traveling off state highways, county roads and driveways must carry a shovel and either one gallon of water or a fire extinguisher of at least 2.5 pounds.
ODF is urging residents and visitors to avoid activities that could spark a fire and to immediately report smoke or flames by calling 911.
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 July 17 public information and infrared maps show the updated 13,090-acre perimeter, associated spot fires, heat concentrations and the fire’s relationship to nearby communities, roads and terrain.
The infrared map was produced from a flight conducted at 12:53 a.m. Friday and identifies the heat perimeter, intense heat, scattered heat and isolated heat sources across the incident.
Select either map 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.
Cooler night may help fire crews
Temperatures are expected to fall into the low to mid-50s overnight, while relative humidity increases.
Winds may persist through the night, but cooler temperatures and improved humidity could moderate fire behavior and allow firefighters to continue strengthening containment lines.
Crews will monitor for new spot fires while reinforcing completed line around the main fire and its associated spot fires.
Air Quality Alert in effect through Friday evening
The National Weather Service in Medford has posted an Air Quality Alert for Jackson and Klamath counties after the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an Air Pollution Advisory. The alert remains in effect until 8 p.m. Friday and includes Medford, Ashland, Klamath Falls and surrounding communities.
Smoke from regional wildfires, combined with forecast weather conditions, may cause air quality to fluctuate rapidly and reach unhealthy levels. Infants, young children, older adults, pregnant people and those with heart or lung conditions may face increased risk.
Residents should avoid strenuous outdoor activity when smoke is heavy, keep doors and windows closed when possible and use certified HEPA filtration indoors. People with respiratory or heart conditions and young children should remain indoors during periods of poor air quality.
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)
EVACUATION LEVELS
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Jackson County Emergency Management continue maintaining Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 notices around the fire. Zones now stretch into Douglas County. Residents in Level 3 zones should leave immediately.
Level 3: Go Now
JAC-017
JAC-109
JAC-124
JAC-126
JAC-127A
JAC-149B
JAC-127A was created by splitting JAC-127 along Highway 227. The Level 3 area follows Highway 227 from its intersection with Highway 62 to Taylor Road and extends north along Highway 62 to River Heights Road.
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-026 includes the 15500 through 18000 blocks of East Evans Creek Road.
Level 1: Be Ready
JAC-003
JAC-004
JAC-014
JAC-036
JAC-158
SHC-151
SHC-152
SHC-153
SHC-154
SHC-156
SHC-157
DOU-1012
DOU-1015
EVACUATION SHELTER
The evacuation shelter for residents and domestic pets is located at:
Eagle Point Middle School
477 Reese Creek Road, Eagle Point, OR 97524
The previous shelter at Hanby Middle School in Gold Hill is closed.
Pets are welcome at the Eagle Point shelter but are not permitted inside the school building. The American Red Cross is providing an area on the property for domestic pets.
People needing additional medical assistance or livestock sheltering help should call 541-776-7206.
Horses may be taken to:
Jackson County Expo
21 Peninger Road, Central Point
Owners should call before arriving to confirm space is available.
CLOSURES
The following road, park, and public-land 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
Dodge Bridge Boat Ramp
BLM-administered lands near the fire remain closed to public entry, including hunting, hiking and camping.
A 24-hour temporary flight restriction remains in place over the incident. Flying a drone near the fire is illegal and may force firefighting aircraft to suspend operations.
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