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.

Oregon Republican leaders are proposing a constitutional amendment protecting the right to hunt, fish, gather wild foods, and raise animals or crops. If lawmakers approve the proposal during the 2027 session, it could go before Oregon voters in November 2028.

Wildfire evacuations and damage can create unexpected costs and difficult insurance decisions. Oregon regulators recommend four practical steps: save receipts, check coverage before filing a claim, document belongings, and confirm comprehensive auto coverage.

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.

A Grants Pass man was killed and his passenger seriously injured after their car struck a cow elk on Highway 234 near Antioch Road early Saturday. The vehicle continued off the roadway and hit a tree.

A driver leaving Emigrant Lake Park struck and destroyed the entrance booth at high speed on July 30, then fled before deputies tracked them down. With the booth gone, Jackson County Parks is asking visitors to use the Pay by Phone system or buy an annual pass.

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%.

A Red Flag Warning will cover the Rogue, Illinois, and Applegate valleys from Monday afternoon through Tuesday evening as dry, gusty weather raises fire danger. A Heat Advisory follows Tuesday through Thursday, with some inland communities forecast to reach 105 to 110 degrees.

Firefighters completed line around the entire perimeter of the I-5 MM 57 Fire overnight. Infrared mapping measured the fire at 96 acres, but officials say the higher acreage reflects improved mapping rather than overnight growth.

Forward progress has been stopped on a third-alarm industrial fire in White City. The fire began at 2645 Avenue G, spread into surrounding businesses, and reached the fence separating the incident from the VA property.

An I-5 wildfire near Beacon Hill in Grants Pass grew to 75 acres Saturday evening as crews built hand and dozer line around 30% of the fire. Level 3 evacuations remain in place, two MAFFS aircraft are supporting the response, and initial reports indicate one residence was lost.

The East Evans Creek Fire reached 90% containment 21 days after igniting west of Shady Cove. Photographs submitted by residents, firefighters, and fire command capture the smoke, evacuations, aircraft, public meetings, community support, and crews who worked to protect life and property.

A 10-member team from the 173rd Civil Engineer Squadron completed a 13-day mission at a remote Alaska early-warning radar site, repairing critical water and fuel systems, replacing a bridge, and saving the Air Force more than $1.6 million while supporting homeland defense operations.

A Red Flag Warning will be in effect from 2 to 9 p.m. Saturday across the Klamath Basin, Fremont-Winema National Forest, Lake County, and western Harney County. Gusts near 30 mph and humidity as low as 6% could allow fires to spread rapidly.

Medford’s monthly utility charge for single-family homes increased from $76.53 to $85.91 on July 1. The higher rate will first appear on August bills and helps fund sewer service, public safety, storm drains, street maintenance and parks across the city.

A Bend employee with the Oregon Department of Human Services was arrested after police say he forgot an 8-month-old baby inside a parked agency van. The child was found about 30 minutes later and released from the hospital without injury.

Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue says his office will not move forward with a planned Flock Safety camera program after identifying privacy concerns. No sheriff’s cameras were installed, and the owner of a reported camera in Central Weed remains unknown.

Medford police have identified the suspect in Thursday’s KeyBank robbery on East Barnett Road. Detectives say they have probable cause to arrest Anthony James Blank, 44, but he remained at large after officers served a search warrant at his residence.

Grants Pass police are searching for a 36-year-old man accused of domestic violence, carjacking a driver and leading deputies on a dangerous pursuit before abandoning the stolen vehicle. Police say he should not be approached and anyone who sees him should call 911.