Evacuation levels increase near the Ramsey Canyon Fire

UPDATE (9:00 p.m.) — The story has been updated to include new evacuations.

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. – A Fire that started Wednesday in Jackson County has grown to 1,000 acres as it triggers Level 3 evacuation warnings.

The Ramsey Canyon Fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain about 12 miles northwest of Eagle Point.

The fire was declared a “conflagration” by Oregon Governor Kate Brown Thursday morning. The declaration allows state resources to help fight the fire.

Gusty winds and low relative humidity is anticipated to cause extreme fire behavior. The Ramsey Canyon Fire was 4% contained at the time this article was published.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said as the fire continues to grow, more evacuation warnings are necessary.

JCSO published the following list of evacuations due to the Ramsey Canyon Fire:

Level 3 “Go.”

East Evans Creek Rd., beginning at the address of 17935, and continuing east including addresses 18505, 18509 (all accessed off of West Fork Evans Creek Rd.), then continuing to include the address of 19373 at the intersection of Meadows Rd; West Fork Evans Creek Rd., the addresses 18504 and 18508; Ramsey Rd., beginning at the address 13469 and proceeding north to the Meadows Rd. intersection. Meadows Rd, proceeding south from East Evans to include the address of 16880.

Level 2 “Be Set.”

East Evans Creek Rd., beginning at the address of 19395 and continuing to include the address of 21043 East Evans Creek Rd.; Meadows Rd, beginning at the address 16800 and 16821, then proceeding south to include the address 14765; Ramsey Rd., beginning at the address 13465 and proceeding south to include the address of 11655.

A shelter for families and companion animals is being organized at Hanby Middle School in Gold Hill (806 6th Ave N, Gold Hill, OR 97525).

A temporary shelter for livestock is being organized at the Jackson County Expo. Please contact Linda Bacon at (541)226-1124, or Expo staff at (541)821-8406, if you need to make use of this resource.

Refer to the interactive fire map to check a specific address for evacuation status: https://bit.ly/2uUku2C