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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Containment of East Evans Creek Fire at 17%, Crews Brace for Hot Conditions
Overnight crews on the East Evans Creek Fire took advantage of cooler conditions to strengthen containment, expand mop-up, and reinforce control lines. Containment is at 17% for the 15,705 acre fire. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports crews remain vigilant as triple-digit temperatures, lower relative humidity, a lifting inversion, and the potential for isolated thunderstorms could increase fire activity. Crews are further addressing remaining areas of unburned vegetation to reduce fuel and strengthen containment of the Board Mountain spot fire. On the Canyon Creek spot, firefighters continue extinguishing scattered pockets of heat where the fire burned unevenly. Structure protection crews are extending mop-up in the Long Branch area outside Shady Cove, where fire previously encroached on homes, while proactive protection remains in place throughout the Shady Cove, Trail, and Dry Creek communities. In the Dry Creek and Shiloh areas, firefighters are advancing farther into the fire interior.
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Spot Fires Contained during Fight against Waldo, Ridge Vista Fires
Firefighters quickly caught and contained new fire activity while strengthening containment lines and expanding mop-up operations on both the Waldo and Ridge Vista fires. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, Waldo Fire crews were quick to respond when three spot fires crossed the containment line, attacking and mitigating the new spots before they could become established. The main fire is estimated to at 31 acres. Firefighters also completed hazard tree or snag mitigation operations, eliminating one of the operational challenges crews faced. Tonight, two 20-person hand crews, three engines, two tenders, and a dozer have been assigned to continue securing the fire. On the Ridge Vista Fire, crews completed 30 to 40 feet of mop-up around the perimeter and have now mopped up approximately 15% of the incident. Earlier today, firefighters quickly contained the Lamont Way Fire, a one-acre spot fire confirmed to have originated from the main fire.
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