Hot, dry conditions and erratic winds that created a pyrocumulus cloud and smoke column in the afternoon and evening on Mon., July 13, caused 1,742 acres to burn overnight in the East Evans Creek fire.
The fire started at 2:41 p.m. on Fri., July 10, after a car crashed into a power pole, sparking dry vegetation.
In anticipation of the unforgiving conditions, the fire’s multi-agency unified command requested additional workforce resources, who arrived overnight and into Tues. mostly from Willamette Valley locations. July 14.
The erratic weather behavior, with still dry lightning storms expected Tuesday evening, caused spotting outside the established fire perimeter, particularly on the northeast edge. Crews with the Oregon State Fire Marshal Structure Resource protected homes when they were threatened along East Evans Creek Road, east of Wimer and Morrison Creek.
Oregon Department of Forestry can deploy aircraft, both Large Aircraft (LAC) and Very Large Aircraft (VLAC), not only for dropping large loads of water and retardant on the fire, but also to capture infrared nighttime imagery, the way airborne crew members were able to spot the 1,742 acres the fire had burned
As early as the morning of Sat., July 11, ODF Level 3 “Go” evacuation notices had been issued, as notices for Level 2 “Set” and Level 1 “Ready”. By the afternoon, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Jackson County Emergency Management said where they are.
Areas at the most northern peak of East Evans Creek Road, and where it meets Meadows and Antioch Road, were mostly affected. Residents in Genasys Protect zones, 148A, at the eastern early thrust of the fire, along with all residents adjacent to East Evans Creek Road from addresses 19385 to 21899, along with 21612 and 21615 Antioch Road, were advised to evacuate immediately.
To this list was added residences in JAC-124, the zone on the northeast edge of the fire.
Level 2 warnings were issued to residents in the Genasys zones JAC-016, 147, and 148B on the fire’s perimeter. Level 1 warnings had been issued to Zones JAC-003, 004, 017, 025, 109, 126, and 149B. JAC-003, 004, and 109 all border Douglas County’s southern county line.
East Evans Creek Road is closed at its junction with Meadows Road north of Sams Valley.
Residents and domestic pets could take shelter at Hanby Middle School in Gold Hill, while residents with livestock could seek refuge at the Jackson County Expo.
Evacuees with horses or livestock are asked to call the Expo at 776-7206 to confirm space available for their animals.
ODF fire crews had just, earlier in the week, issued final reports for the one-day Duel Creek Fire east of Eagle Point on the western slope of the Cascade Mountains on Mon., July 6, and the Crooks Creek Fire east of Selma at a quarter of an acre on July 7, the East Evans Creek Fire.
Residents are expected to see increased fire resources throughout the area as they make their way into the valley, and to monitor official updates from ODFW (available on its Facebook page) and to avoid approaching areas around the fire and blocking roads.
Reach reporter Brian Mortensen at [email protected] or 541-582-1707.