Main Line, Spot Fire Containment Efforts Continue on East Evans Creek Fire
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-127-A, JAC-149-B, and JAC-203-A.
- 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, 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.
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Human Remains Potentially Connected to Homicide Case Located by JoCo SAR
A member of the Josephine County Search and Rescue (SAR) team located human remains believed to be connected to a homicide case. The team member was checking along Reuben Mountain beyond the Grave Creek Bridge Thursday around 12:15pm. Based on observations along the roadside, they suspected human remains were in the area. Due to a lack of cell phone service in the area, the SAR member began driving back towards Merlin to make phone contact with investigators. They came upon Oregon State Police troopers and a Sheriff’s Office deputy at the Galice Resort and relayed their observations. Law enforcement responded to the reported area and traversed down the steep, rugged terrain where the deceased person was located. Detectives from the Oregon State Police, Grants Pass Police Department, Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office then responded to the scene with a rope team from Search and Rescue. The rope team was able to successfully recover the deceased person, whom investigators believe to be Randall “Randy” Hecker. However, confirmation will still need to be completed during a pending autopsy with the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office. Next of kin have been notified.
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Detectives Investigating Rural Central Point Homicide, Suspect in Custody
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred in a rural Central Point residence. The suspect is in custody. Wednesday morning, dispatch received a call around 4:05 a.m. of gunshots heard near the 6000 block of Kershaw Road. Deputies responded and found a man deceased from an apparent gunshot wound inside the residence. Next-of-kin has been notified. The victim is Juan Carlos Ramirez-Arango, 62, of Central Point. Evidence collected during the investigation led to the arrest of Pamela Sue Maya, 67, of Central Point. She was in a relationship with the victim. Maya has been charged with second-degree murder and is being held in the Jackson County Jail. Ashland Oregon Police Department and Jackson County District Attorney's Office responded to assist. The Oregon State Police Forensics Lab processed the crime scene. There is no further information available for release at this time.
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