A new spot fire east of the East Evans Creek Fire prompted multiple evacuation changes Tuesday evening as extreme fire behavior continued across the northern half of the incident. JAC-124 remains at Level 3, while several surrounding zones were raised to Level 1 or Level 2.

Firefighters extinguished a heavy commercial fire involving asphalt production machinery and above-ground tanks along Highway 97 Saturday evening. Thick black smoke was visible from a distance, but no injuries were reported. The cause remains under investigation.

A Josephine County grand jury has indicted a 50-year-old man on second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon charges as investigators continue searching for Randall “Randy” Hecker, who has been missing from his Summer Lane residence in Grants Pass since July 7.

Fire danger on ODF-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties will rise to Extreme early Friday as hot weather, critically dry vegetation and active fire behavior increase the risk of rapid wildfire growth. New restrictions will affect chainsaws, metal work and mowing dry grass.

The East Evans Creek Fire grew by 1,742 acres overnight to 5,370 acres as extreme fire behavior and spotting challenged crews across the north, northwest and northeast. Firefighters defended homes while additional resources arrived ahead of dry thunderstorms and erratic winds.

Fire activity increased across portions of the East Evans Creek Fire Monday, prompting additional resource orders and a Level 3 evacuation upgrade for JAC-124. Crews are preparing for thunderstorms, erratic winds and possible new fire starts while southern control lines continue to hold.

The Jackson County Fair opens Tuesday for six days of concerts, carnival rides, bull riding, livestock competitions, exhibits and family entertainment at The Expo in Central Point. Opening-day admission is $2.50, while Sunday admission is free for everyone.

Firefighters are battling a three-alarm fire at the Biomass One facility in White City. Avenue G is closed between Agate Road and Highway 62, with traffic routed to Antelope Road and Linn Road as multiple agencies support suppression efforts.

Oregon has expanded its Veterans Educational Bridge Grant Program, doubling the lifetime award to $10,000 and opening eligibility to veterans whose financial hardships could threaten their ability to complete college, apprenticeship or vocational training.

A Pacific Power outage is affecting 1,403 customers in parts of Medford, including ZIP codes 97504 and 97524. The utility attributes the interruption to enhanced wildfire safety settings and estimates service will be restored before 2 p.m. Monday.

The East Evans Creek Fire grew to an estimated 3,628 acres and remains 5% contained after hot, windy conditions increased fire activity Sunday. Nearly 1,000 personnel are supporting the response, while officials said established control lines continued to hold.

Hot and windy conditions increased fire activity on the north end of the East Evans Creek Fire Sunday evening, producing a large smoke plume visible across the valley. Officials said established lines continued to hold and the fire was not gaining ground. All evacuation levels remain in place overnight.

The East Evans Creek Fire remains estimated at 2,656 acres and 0% containment west of Shady Cove. Crews strengthened southern fire lines overnight as officials warned gusts up to 30 mph could challenge suppression efforts Sunday. Evacuation levels remain unchanged.

Containment lines held Saturday on the Evans Creek Road Fire as crews limited additional growth and state incident management teams assumed unified command. The fire is estimated at 2,656 acres, with an infrared flight planned to confirm its size.

The 173rd Fighter Wing’s new film “End of the Eagle” looks back on 27 years of F-15 operations at Kingsley Field, honoring the pilots, maintainers, support personnel, families and community members who sustained the mission and carried its standards into the wing’s next chapter.

The Evans Creek Road Fire has grown to approximately 2,000 acres, with more than 400 personnel assigned Saturday. Crews are preparing for warm, dry and breezy conditions as ODF Incident Management Team 1 mobilizes to take command of the fire.

Firefighters worked through the night on the Evans Creek Road Fire after hot, dry conditions and multiple spot fires drove rapid growth Friday. The fire was last estimated at approximately 1,550 acres, with Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation notices still active Saturday morning.

State reinforcements are headed to the Evans Creek Road Fire after Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act. The Oregon State Fire Marshal is deploying its Blue Incident Management Team and four structural task forces to support local crews.

The Evans Creek Road Fire surged to an estimated 700 to 1,000 acres Friday evening as multiple spot fires drove rapid growth. A Level 3 evacuation order is in place near East Evans Creek Road, while crews prepare for overnight operations under an incoming ODF incident management team.

Members of White City-based Grange Co-op and Farm Supply Company have approved a merger expected to take effect Oct. 1. Grange CEO Neil Itzen will lead the combined 13-store cooperative, which will employ about 460 people across Oregon and California. More than 90% of combined members supported the agreement.