Firefighters Expand Mop-Up Efforts Up To 60 Feet on West Fork Evans Creek Fire

Mop-up operations on the West Fork Evans Creek Fire now extend 35 to 60 feet into the burned area along the entire perimeter as firefighters continue working to secure the fire. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District, containment increased to approximately 30% Sunday, with cooler temperatures, minimal winds, and reduced fire activity allowing crews to work deeper into the fire's interior while limiting the potential for further spread. Mop-up depths vary depending on terrain, fuel concentrations and accessibility. Crews are working to safely locate and extinguish areas of heat while securing established firelines. With ground operations progressing well, aircraft were not needed for suppression efforts Sunday. The fire is now mapped at 283 acres following an overnight drone flight. Resources assigned include nine 20-person hand crews, 10 Type 6 engines and six water tenders, supported by three task force leaders and three heavy equipment bosses. ...Read more

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. ...Read more

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. ...Read more