Progress on East Evans Creek Fire Leads to Increased Containment, Reduced Evacuations
East Evans Creek Firefighters increased containment to 26% today leading to reduced evacuation levels in Jackson County. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, aircraft supported mop-up operations Tuesday along the southern and eastern flanks of the Board Mountain spot fire. Across the main fire, crews strengthened control lines increasing mop-up to an average of 50 feet, reducing potential for future fire spread. Structure protection resources continued reinforcement work. On the Canyon Creek spot fire, firefighters continue extinguishing scattered interior heat. Structure protection resources broadened mop-up operations around homes in the Long Branch area and maintained a presence in Shady Cove, Trail, and Dry Creek. Mop-up was also increased to about 200 feet on the spot fire northwest of Hull Mountain. Tonight, firefighters will continue using handheld infrared (IR) technology to locate and extinguish hot spots near control lines while expanding mop-up operations. As conditions improve, containment increases, and threats to structures reduce, some resources will be reassigned to other incidents across Oregon.
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ODF's Final Waldo, Ridge Vista Fire Update Shows Mop-Up Progress
Crews continued making progress on both the Waldo and Ridge Vista fires today, with Waldo now approximately 80% mopped up, and Ridge Vista at about 50% mop-up. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports crews are systemically gridding for hidden heat, extinguishing remaining hotspots, and ensuring both fires remain secure. No spot fires were identified on either of the main blazes, with this allowing firefighters to continue securing the Waldo Fire's edge. It remains at 31 acres. Ridge Vista Firefighters located three interior smokes within the perimeter and quickly mitigated them before continuing suppression work. It is still at 15.5 acres. The cause of both fires is under investigation. With the potential for lightning in the coming days, eliminating existing heat is especially important so firefighters can keep both fires secure while remaining ready to respond to any new starts. This will be the final Waldo and Ridge Vista fire update from ODF, unless conditions change significantly.
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Josephine County Shows Slight Job Loss Over the Year
Total payroll employment in Josephine County rose by 170 jobs in June. According to the Oregon Employment Department, job gains were estimated in leisure and hospitality (+100); state government (+30); and local government (+20). Other published industries had little or no employment change in June. Over the past year payroll employment in the Grants Pass MSA (Josephine County) decreased by 70 jobs, a loss of -0.3%. Employment fell over the year in most private-sector industries, excluding private education and health services, which gained 300 jobs. Job declines occurred in retail trade (-60); construction (-50); manufacturing (-50); financial activities (-40); information (-30); and leisure and hospitality (-30). Transportation, warehousing, and utilities employment decreased by 50 jobs since June 2025. Government employment fell by 120 jobs over the year. Losses occurred in local government education (-100) while federal government also lost 20 jobs over the year. Josephine County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was estimated at 6.8% in June, little changed over the month and down slightly from the June 2025 rate of 7.2%.
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