East Evans Creek Fire Reaches 13,999 Acres, Containment Rises to 8% as Critical Weather Returns
All control lines held overnight as 20 additional structure engines bolster protection near threatened communities
FAST FIRE FACTS
Name:
East Evans Creek Fire
Location:
Approximately 7 miles west of Shady Cove
Acres: 13,999
Containment: 8%
Perimeter:
Nearly 60 miles
Hose Lay:
Approximately 50 miles installed across the incident
Primary Activity:
Board Mountain, Canyon Creek and areas northwest of Hull Mountain
Structure Protection:
Resources from 16 counties and 77 agencies, including 20 additional Type 1 engines
Aircraft:
14 helicopters assigned; air tankers available as needed
Weather:
Mid-90s, humidity near 20%, northwest wind gusts up to 25 mph
Fire Danger:
Extreme across ODF-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties
Evacuations:
Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 notices remain active
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 morning, July 18, 2026
East Evans Creek Fire AM update for 7/18/26.
Firefighters move through East Evans Creek Fire camp before dawn as crews begin another operational shift under a crescent moon. (Oregon Department of Forestry)
SAMS VALLEY, Ore. — Firefighters gained ground overnight on the East Evans Creek Fire, holding control lines around the main fire and its spot fires as containment increased to 8%.
The fire is now mapped at 13,999 acres.
Crews used a 36-hour stretch of cooler temperatures and improved humidity to strengthen fireline, deepen mop-up and prepare for a return of hotter, drier and windier conditions Saturday.
All established control lines held overnight.
On the main fire, crews continued mop-up operations along the southern, western and northern flanks. Northwest of Hull Mountain, firefighters strengthened line around a spot fire with no new overnight growth.
Saturday’s focus includes improving line along the northern flank and removing hazard trees that could threaten firefighters and equipment.
BOARD MOUNTAIN LINES HOLD
Control lines along the north, east and west sides of the Board Mountain spot fire remained secure overnight.
Firefighters continued connecting hose across the area to improve water access. Approximately 50 miles of hose have now been installed across the East Evans Creek Fire.
Work remains on portions of the southern tip where bulldozers cannot safely operate because of terrain. Hand crews will move into those areas Saturday with the goal of completing remaining sections of fireline.
CANYON CREEK SPOT FIRE REMAINS SECURE
The Canyon Creek spot fire, closest to Shady Cove and Trail, remained within established lines overnight.
Crews continued mop-up and strengthened portions of the perimeter where needed.
Farther east, firefighters are building alternate control lines as a precaution between the fire and Shady Cove, Trail and surrounding communities. The additional lines provide another layer of protection should changing weather push fire beyond existing containment features.
STRUCTURE CREWS SHIFT SOME AREAS TO PATROL
Structural firefighters continued overnight mop-up around threatened homes, using thermal imaging cameras to locate hidden pockets of heat that could rekindle as temperatures rise.
Where heat has been significantly reduced, some structural resources are transitioning from active mop-up to patrol while remaining ready to respond if conditions change.
Structure protection remains a major part of the incident response.
Four additional Oregon State Fire Marshal strike teams arrived Friday, adding 20 Type 1 structural fire engines from Marion, Yamhill, Lane, Multnomah, Washington, Clatsop, Linn, Lincoln and Tillamook counties.
A row of structural fire engines from agencies across Oregon assembles in support of the East Evans Creek Fire response. Additional OSFM strike teams have expanded structure protection resources across the incident. (Oregon Department of Forestry)
With those additions, OSFM now has resources from 16 counties and 77 agencies supporting the East Evans Creek Fire.
The larger Type 1 engines bring high-capacity pumps, larger water tanks and structural firefighting equipment. They are being positioned to provide rapid response around communities while allowing smaller and more mobile wildland and interface resources to shift as fire conditions change.
CRITICAL WEATHER RETURNS SATURDAY
The favorable weather window firefighters used during the past day and a half is ending.
Temperatures Saturday are expected to climb into the mid-90s, relative humidity could fall to around 20%, and northwest winds may gust to approximately 25 mph during the afternoon.
Firefighters will closely watch for new spot fires and areas where wind-driven embers could threaten established lines.
The morning inversion is expected to lift, which may increase fire activity but should also improve visibility for aircraft. Fourteen helicopters remain assigned to the incident, with air tankers available as needed.
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.
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.
Hotter and drier weather returns Saturday after approximately 36 hours of more favorable firefighting conditions.
Forecast conditions include:
High temperatures in the mid-90s
Relative humidity near 20%
Northwest winds increasing during the afternoon
Gusts potentially reaching 25 mph
The morning inversion is expected to lift later in the day. Clearing smoke may allow aircraft to operate more effectively, but warmer temperatures, lower humidity and stronger winds could increase fire behavior.
Smoke from the East Evans Creek Fire may continue settling into valleys and other low-lying areas, reducing visibility and affecting air quality.
Residents should monitor current air quality conditions and limit strenuous outdoor activity during periods of heavy smoke.
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)
Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 evacuation notices remain active in Jackson and Douglas counties. No evacuation changes were included in Saturday morning’s ODF update.
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
Level 1: Be Ready
JAC-003
JAC-004
JAC-014
JAC-036
JAC-158
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: Flames from the East Evans Creek Fire glow behind silhouetted trees overnight as crews continue working to hold and strengthen fireline across the incident. (Oregon Department of Forestry)
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