Evans Creek Road Fire Grows to 2,000 Acres as 400 Firefighters Mobilize
ODF Incident Management Team 1 will assume command Saturday evening as crews prepare for another day of challenging fire weather
FAST FIRE FACTS
Name: Evans Creek Road Fire
Official Agency Name: East Evans Creek Fire
Location: Near the 18000 block of East Evans Creek Road, approximately 26 miles northeast of Medford
Acres: Approximately 2,000
Containment: Not reported
Personnel: More than 400
Aviation: One Type 3 helicopter with Air Attack, three Type 2 helicopters and two Type 1 helicopters
Evacuations: Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 notices remain active
Shelter: Hanby Middle School, 806 6th Ave., Gold Hill
Road Closure: East Evans Creek Road at Meadows Road
Command: ODF Incident Management Team 1 will assume command Saturday evening
Activity: Crews are strengthening fire lines, extending hose lays and protecting threatened structures
Latest Update: July 11, 2026, morning
Source: ODF Southwest Oregon District
JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — The Evans Creek Road Fire has grown to approximately 2,000 acres as more than 400 firefighters and support personnel prepare for another day of challenging conditions northeast of Medford.
The fire, officially identified by the Oregon Department of Forestry as the East Evans Creek Fire, is burning on private and Bureau of Land Management lands near the 18000 block of East Evans Creek Road, approximately 26 miles northeast of Medford.
Firefighters and support personnel gather for a briefing before beginning Saturday operations on the Evans Creek Road Fire. More than 400 personnel are assigned to the incident. (ODF Southwest Oregon District)
Firefighters worked through the night strengthening fire lines, reinforcing wet lines and removing hazardous snags across the incident.
Warm, dry and breezy conditions are expected across southwest Oregon Saturday, increasing the potential for active fire behavior and additional spotting.
More than 400 personnel are assigned to the fire, including 20-person hand crews, engines, dozers, water tenders, heavy equipment, aviation resources and structural task forces.
Aviation resources include one Type 3 helicopter with Air Attack, three Type 2 helicopters and two Type 1 helicopters. Additional structural task forces are expected to arrive Saturday as crews continue working to protect multiple threatened structures.
Saturday’s priorities include strengthening existing fire lines, extending hose lays along East Evans Creek Road and improving access for crews working throughout the fire area.
Firefighters are operating in steep terrain, across an old burn scar and around numerous hazardous trees. Dry fuels and the continued potential for spotting are expected to complicate suppression efforts.
ODF Team Mobilizing
Firefighters position engines along East Evans Creek Road while working to protect nearby homes as smoke from the Evans Creek Road Fire fills the valley. Photo by ODF Southwest Oregon District.
Due to the size and complexity of the fire, ODF has ordered Incident Management Team 1 to take command Saturday evening.
The team will bring additional personnel, equipment and operational support while allowing local firefighters to remain available for new wildfire starts across Jackson and Josephine counties.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal Blue Incident Management Team is also mobilizing to the fire with structural task forces from multiple areas of Oregon. Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act Friday night, allowing additional resources to respond through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System.
Investigation Continues
The fire was reported shortly after 2:40 p.m. Friday when dispatch received a report of a vehicle crash involving a power pole and downed power line.
When firefighters arrived, they found fire burning in nearby vegetation.
ODF and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a further investigation. Officials have not announced a final cause.
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)
Evacuations and Road Closure
Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 evacuation notices remain active for areas surrounding the fire.
An evacuation shelter for residents and domestic pets remains open at Hanby Middle School, located at 806 6th Ave. in Gold Hill.
East Evans Creek Road is closed at Meadows Road. Residents will be allowed through the closure when firefighters determine it is safe.
The public is asked to avoid the area to give firefighters, engines and heavy equipment room to operate.
Residents should continue following the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Genasys Protect for current evacuation zones and instructions.
ODF plans to provide morning and evening updates, with additional information released when significant changes occur.
RELATED
July 11, 2026: Crews Work Through Night on Evans Creek Road Fire
July 11, 2026: State Reinforcements Head to Evans Creek Road Fire
July 10, 2026: Evans Creek Road Fire Grows to 1,550 Acres, Crosses Two Roads
Cover image: Flames burn through dry vegetation and timber on the Evans Creek Road Fire as crews prepare for another day of warm, dry and breezy conditions. (ODF Southwest Oregon District)
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