A 17-year-old driver has been arrested more than two months after a rollover crash on East Evans Creek Road killed his 18-year-old passenger and sparked the East Evans Creek Fire. JCSO says the teen was driving at high speed, did not have a valid license, and now faces criminally negligent homicide and other charges.

Firefighters made significant overnight progress on the Anderson Butte Road Fire in Jackson County, completing line around the entire 78-acre perimeter and extending hose along most of the fire. Crews are now beginning mop-up operations southwest of Talent and east of Ruch while the cause remains under investigation.

ODF Southwest Oregon’s 4 Alpha Fox helicopter has completed its 75-day seasonal contract after introducing approved night-vision wildfire flights this year. One recent after-dark mission located three lightning-caused fires.

Recent rainfall and unseasonably cool temperatures have pushed fire danger down to moderate across ODF-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties. Fire season remains in effect, IFPL stays at Level 2, and outdoor debris burning is still prohibited.

Containment on the Fielder Mountain Fire has increased to 29% as firefighters continue deeper mop-up west of Rogue River. All remaining evacuation levels have been canceled, while crews shift more resources to daytime operations and continue removing hazard trees.

Firefighters are pushing deeper into mop-up on the Fielder Mountain Fire after completing control line around the entire perimeter. The fire is 18% contained and now mapped at 573 acres, with officials saying the acreage increase reflects improved mapping rather than new growth.

Firefighters held established control lines overnight on the Fielder Mountain Fire, bringing the incident to approximately 90% lined. The fire is mapped at 548 acres and remains 7% contained as crews continue strengthening lines and mopping up near homes west of Rogue River.

The Fielder Mountain Fire remains estimated at 550 acres and is now 7% contained as firefighters continue securing the perimeter north of Rogue River. Crews have completed line around approximately 75% of the fire, with ODF Complex Incident Management Team 1 set to assume command Friday evening.

The Fielder Mountain Fire north of Rogue River has grown to an estimated 400 acres as night crews move into place and additional evacuations are issued. Fifteen hand crews, 14 engines, seven dozers, and other resources are working the fire after 11 aircraft supported suppression efforts Thursday.

Extreme fire conditions have prompted ODF to immediately close the Gilchrist and Sun Pass State Forests to the public. The closures affect more than 93,000 acres in Klamath County, with no reopening date announced.

A mother and three children younger than 10 were killed Sunday in an RV fire in rural Eagle Point. One other family member escaped with minor injuries, and investigators currently believe the fire was a non-criminal accident.

Firefighters continue making progress on two southwest Oregon wildfires. The Woodrat Mountain Fire near Ruch remains at 282 acres and has reached 15% containment, while the 100 acre I-5 MM 57 NB Fire near Grants Pass is now 91% contained and nearing the end of active suppression.

A 47-year-old Klamath Falls man was killed while operating a bulldozer during firefighting operations on the Wrights Spring Fire. Officials say rapid fire growth cut off Jason Ensign’s escape route as crews worked near Yahwee Plateau.

Firefighters have completed line around 100% of the Woodrat Mountain Fire near Ruch. Updated infrared mapping places the fire at 282 acres, with 60% of the perimeter hose lined as crews continue securing the fire through steep terrain and dense timber.

The Woodrat Fire has grown to approximately 300 acres and is 50% lined near Ruch. Six hand crews, four dozers, engines, water tenders, and falling modules are taking over overnight operations as firefighters work to limit movement toward Sterling Creek Road.

A juvenile was detained after motorists reported a grass fire near Highway 62 in White City. Firefighters contained the 40 by 40 foot burn before it could spread, while deputies recovered matches and referred the case for possible charges, including arson.

Fire danger remains high to extreme across Southern Oregon as crews increase containment on the 100-acre I-5 MM 57 NB Fire near Grants Pass to 23%. Evacuations have eased to Level 1, both northbound lanes are open, and firefighters continue mop-up under Red Flag conditions.

A garbage truck driver helped prevent a larger fire near Manzanita Elementary School by dumping a burning load in an open parking lot. Rural Metro Fire and ODF extinguished the debris during Red Flag conditions.

Industrial fire restrictions are increasing across Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, and Lake counties as extreme heat, dry fuels, low humidity, and gusty winds raise the risk of new fire starts and rapid growth.

Firefighters stopped a new grass fire near Greenfield Road at one acre Monday while crews expanded mop-up operations on the I-5 MM 57 NB Fire and increased containment on the East Evans Creek Fire to 95%.