Deeper Mop-Up Efforts Increase Containment on West Fork Evans Creek Fire
Firefighters have extended mop-up operations 50 to 100 feet into the burned area along the West Fork Evans Creek Fire, increasing containment to 35% following another night of suppression work. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District, with firelines continuing to hold around the entire perimeter, crews are building on that progress and preparing to push mop-up efforts as deep as 150 feet into the fire's interior today. The fire remains at 283 acres. Overnight crews continued locating and extinguishing areas of heat along the perimeter while also backhauling equipment and replenishing supplies to prepare for the incoming day shift. With continued progress and reduced fire activity, staffing is being adjusted to concentrate more hand crews and resources during daytime operations, allowing for a gradual reduction in overnight staffing while maintaining an effective suppression response. Today's resources include 16 20-person hand crews, one eight-person hand crew, 10 Type 6 engines, 10 water tenders and one dozer, supported by three task force leaders, six heavy equipment bosses, four additional modules and three falling modules. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity continue to provide favorable conditions for suppression efforts, helping limit fire activity and reducing the potential for further spread.
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Sheriff's Deputies Seeking Public's Help in Search for Runaway Teen
Josephine County Sheriff's deputies are searching for a runaway teen. Dameian Ray ran away from his residence in the Murphy area on October 15th around 07:26 p.m. He's a 15-year-old, 5'11" Caucasian male with light brown hair, brown eyes, and weighing 120 pounds. He was wearing a black hoodie, blue jeans, black hat, and sandals. If you have any information, please contact Sheriff's Office at 541-474-5123, and reference Case #26-28405.
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JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Dispatched to Accidental Drowning of Child
Josephine County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a missing 2-year-old call in the 100 block of Burch Drive located outside of Cave Junction Wednesday at 10:48 a.m. Prior to their arrival, family members located the child unconscious in the Illinois River that runs behind the family’s property. Deputies and family members performed CPR on the child until an ambulance from American Medical Response arrived on scene. The child was transported to a local hospital where he subsequently passed away. Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and conducted an investigation. A Medicolegal Death Investigator from the District Attorney’s Office responded, and at the time of this press release, there is no evidence of foul play. Next of kin have been notified. Out of respect to the family, names will not be released.
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