Local News

Crews gained significant ground overnight on both the Waldo and Ridge Vista fires near O'Brien and Cave Junction, building on yesterday's aggressive initial attack. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, overnight humidity recoveries gave crews more favorable conditions to reinforce containment lines and make headway on the fires. The Waldo Fire is at an estimated 30.69 acres. Firefighters completed dozer line and hose lay around the entire fire overnight, marking a major milestone in suppression efforts. Today, crews will expand mop-up operations and improve existing containment lines. Resources assigned to the fire include three 20-person hand crews, three Type 6 engines, two water tenders, one dozer, and one faller module for removing hazardous fire-weakened trees. The Ridge Vista Fire remains at approximately 15 acres. Crews completed line construction and hose lay around the entire fire overnight and have mopped up approximately 20 feet in from the perimeter. Today's work will focus on extending mop-up farther into the interior while securing the fire's edge and extinguishing remaining pockets of heat. Resources assigned to the Ridge Vista Fire include three 20-person hand crews, three Type 6 engines, one water tender, and one dozer.

 

Fire crews completed fire line around the active portion of the Board Mountain spot fire, with further progress expected today on the East Evans Creek Fire. The blaze is now 15,015.3 acres and 8% contained according to the Watch Duty app. The Oregon Department of Forestry's latest update said resources strengthened existing control lines on the Board Mountain spot, with crews focusing on the southern portion of the fire south of Boswell Mountain. Operations today will continue with line improvement and mop-up on Board Mountain. Structural resources remain near homes in the Antioch, Jones Road, and Pomeroy. Aircraft will work with ground resources to address hot spots and support firefighters, while structural tenders will provide water delivery to helicopter dip sites. Across the main fire, control lines held, and crews held the Canyon Creek spot fire within its existing footprint while working to secure the perimeter of the spot fire northwest of Hull Mountain. Despite cooler morning temperatures and observed isolated showers, winds are expected to pick up. Firefighters remain positioned to build on yesterday's progress while remaining alert to potentially increased fire activity as conditions shift.

 

A man was arrested Saturday at Schroeder Park for a Reckless Driving and DUII warrant.

Dispatch learned the suspect had arrived in a vehicle at 605 Schroeder Lane. He reportedly fell on his knees at one point, appeared to be under the influence, and was walking through people's camp sites with a German Shepherd on a leash.

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies arrived and located the suspect at the park's boat ramp on a bench around 6:34 p.m. He was identified as Alec Stephenson and found to be wanted on a Sheriff's Office misdemeanor warrant for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving.

His warrant was confirmed, and he was taken into custody. Deputies lodged Stephenson in the Josephine County Jail for his warrant. A family member arrived around 7:41 p.m. to pick up the dog and vehicle.

 

The Oregon Department of Forestry reported significant progress made by firefighters on both the Ridge Vista and Waldo fires last night. The Ridge Vista Fire is estimated at about 14.5 acres. Spotting challenged firefighters, but crews will continue strengthening control lines and securing the blaze. According to the Watch Duty app, the Waldo Fire is at an estimated 30.69 acres. Firefighters reinforced control lines after successfully holding the fire within yesterday's retardant lines and built on the progress overnight. Night shift crews were established to strengthen control lines, secure the fire perimeter, and monitor for additional spot fires while continuing progress made through the evening. Overnight resources assigned to each fire included three Type 6 engines, two 20-person hand crews, and one water tender. There is a Level 1: Be Ready warning in place for Zone JCU-516, and a Level 2: Be Set warning for Zones JCU- 512, JCU-513, JCU-514, JCU-522, and JCU-523.

 

Steady progress continued across the East Evans Creek Fire today thanks to strategic helicopter relocation and structural tender support. The Watch Duty app shows the blaze at 14,442 acres and 8% containment. According to ODF, firefighters continued line strengthening on the Board Mountain spot fire despite the blaze crossing control lines. Crews are actively engaged in the area southwest of Boswell Mountain. A large airtanker has been ordered to support suppression efforts. Resources, including helicopters with water buckets rapidly engaged the Canyon Creek spot. Structural resources remain throughout the Shady Cove, Trail, Long Branch, and Dry Creek areas. Fire activity has been limited across the main fire and spot northwest of Hull Mountain. Tonight, crews will continue pushing mop-up deeper into the fire. The following evacuations are active by level:
- Evacuation Level 3 Go Now: Zones JAC-017, JAC-109, JAC-124 JAC-126, JAC-149-B, and JAC-203-A.
- Evacuation Level 2 Be Set: Zones JAC-016, JAC-026, JAC-111, JAC-112, JAC-127, JAC-131, JAC-132, JAC-133, JAC-134, JAC-147, JAC-148, JAC-149-A, and JAC-203-B.
- Evacuation Level 1 Be Ready: Zones JAC-003, JAC-004, JAC-014, JAC-036, and JAC-158, Shady Cove Zones SHC-151, SHC-152, SHC-153, SHC-154, SHC-156, and SHC-157, and Douglas County Zones DOU-1012, and DOU-1015.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office has issued a wildfire emergency alert, a Level 2: Be Set, for the area of Redwood Highway and Waldo Road. According to the Watch Duty app, the evacuation order is in effect for Zones JCU-512, JCU-513, JCU-514, JCU 516, JCU-522, and JCU-523. A level two means there is significant danger in the area, and individuals living in these zones should be ready to leave at a moment's notice. The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District page reports firefighters continue working on the Waldo Fire, estimated at approximately 10 acres, and one other wind-driven grass fire in Josephine County. The Ridge Vista Fire is estimated at 8 to 10 acres after growing due to spotting caused by gusty winds. Firefighters remain engaged in an aggressive initial attack on both fires. Multiple aircraft, including Type 1 and Type 3 helicopters, and large air tankers continue supporting suppression efforts. Type 6 engines, dozers, water tenders, hand crews, and other ground resources are actively working to slow the fires' spread and establish containment. A night shift resource order has been placed to support firefighting operations.

 

Firefighters worked through the night to hold and improve control lines on the East Evans Creek Fire, taking advantage of improved humidity and securing wind-impacted areas of the now 14,437 acre, 8% contained blaze. The latest update from the Oregon Department of Forestry reports crews continued engaging areas overnight where the fire crossed Board Mountain spot fire control lines. Structural and wildland firefighting resources are being repositioned today to support these efforts. The main blaze and the spot fire northwest of Hull Mountain remain in hold and mop-up status. On the Canyon Creek spot fire, firefighters maintained containment while continuing to deepen mop-up operations. Structure protection efforts expanded into the Antioch, Pomeroy, and Jones Road areas. Additional crews and equipment are also positioned alongside local resources to strengthen initial attack capability. Aircraft will support ground operations as forecasted dry, hot, and windy conditions allow. According to the Watch Duty app, the following evacuations are active by level:
- Evacuation Level 3 Go Now: Zones JAC-017, JAC-109, JAC-124 JAC-126, JAC-149-B, and JAC-203-A.
- Evacuation Level 2 Be Set: Zones JAC-016, JAC-026, JAC-111, JAC-112, JAC-127, JAC-131, JAC-132, JAC-133, JAC-134, JAC-147, JAC-148, JAC-149-A, and JAC-203-B.
- Evacuation Level 1 Be Ready: Zones JAC-003, JAC-004, JAC-014, JAC-036, and JAC-158, Shady Cove Zones SHC-151, SHC-152, SHC-153, SHC-154, SHC-156, and SHC-157, and Douglas County Zones DOU-1012, and DOU-1015.

 

Firefighters pushed forward on East Evans Creek Fire progress, holding and strengthening lines around spot fires, and increasing containment to 8% on the 13,999 acre blaze. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, mop up operations on the main fire continued last night across the southern, western, and northern flanks, with all control lines holding. Lines on the Board Mountain and Canyon Creek spot fires held as well. Resources tackling the blaze include 58 hand crews, 128 engines, 67 heavy equipment units, 55, water tenders, and 14 aircraft. Structural firefighters continued overnight mop-up operations around threatened structures. The past 36 hours provided a break in high temperatures and lower relative humidity, but firefighters are prepared for potential increased fire activity. Crews will watch for spot fires and areas where the fire could threaten existing lines. According to the Watch Duty app, the following evacuations are still active by level:
- Evacuation Level 3 Go Now: Zones JAC-017, JAC-109, JAC-124 JAC-126, JAC-127-A, and JAC-149-B.
- Evacuation Level 2 Be Set: Zones JAC-016, JAC-026, JAC-111, JAC-112, JAC-127-B, JAC-131, JAC-132, JAC-133, JAC-134, JAC-147, JAC-148, and JAC-149-A.
- Evacuation Level 1 Be Ready: Zones JAC-003, JAC-004, JAC-014, JAC-036, and JAC-158, Shady Cove Zones SHC-151, SHC-152, SHC-153, SHC-154, SHC-156, and SHC-157, and Douglas County Zones DOU-1012, and DOU-1015.

 

Smoke from the East Evans Creek Fire is affecting visibility along area roadways.

The Oregon Department of Transportation says that, while sometimes the best thing to do is get off the road until conditions improve, there are other options for driving under smoky skies.

Slow down and stay alert. This will give you more time to respond to unexpected conditions. Turn on your low-beam headlights even during daylight hours. Your headlights will help others on the road see you. If you have them, fog lights can also help cut through the smoke.

Drivers should keep plenty of space between themselves and other vehicles in case of sudden stops. If visibility becomes too dangerous to continue, pull off to the side of the road as soon as safely possible. Roll up the windows, and set your fan to recirculate.

ODOT warns to never stop in a travel lane. Look for a safe area completely away from the road if possible and turn off all lights, including emergency flashers, until it’s safe to continue.

Lastly, don’t tailgate. Keep a steady, reliable pace and remember that everyone else on the road is in the same fix.