JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. – UPDATE: The Fire on East Evans Creek Road was stopped at about 400 acres, crews have managed to get it about 10% lined within just five hours.
Repeated retardant drops helped to stop the initial spread of the fire creating a temporary fire line. The fire is burning away from houses, but LEVEL 1 evacuations are still active in the area of East Evans Creek Road between the 18500-block and Meadows Road (north side of the roadway). At this time, a Red Cross Shelter has not been set up. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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Multiple crews and aircraft are responding to a fire north of Gold Hill.
The Oregon Department of Forestry said at about 2:20 p.m. Friday, crews arrived at a five-acre fire with a structure fully engulfed in flames in the 18000 block of East Evans Creek Road north of Gold Hill.
ODF immediately deployed eight engines, four helicopters, five single-engine air tankers, and two large air tankers.
Smoke from the fire is visible from multiple locations in the Rogue Valley.
At about 4:51 p.m., the fire was estimated to be about 250-300 acres in size, ODF said.
ODF says the fire is burning in steep terrain surrounded by dry vegetation and homes. The fire is spotting in multiple areas and with the strong winds, the fire could switch directions at any time.
Residents within a one-mile radius have been told to evacuate.
At 4:43 p.m., the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said the following: “Deputies are making door-to-door LEVEL 1 evacuation notices. Five residences were notified to evacuate immediately (LEVEL 3). The affected residences are in the area of East Evans Creek Road between the 18500-block and Meadows Road (north side of the roadway). The fire appears to be burning away from structures at this time. Deputies will continue to contact people in the area to advise them of the potential for future evacuations. We will update with more specific information as it is available.”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
This is a breaking news story. It will be updated when more information becomes available.
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