Kotek invokes Conflagration Act for wildfire in Jackson Co.; evacuation orders in place

JACKSON COUNTY Ore. (KPTV) - A wildfire in Jackson County has burned over 2,000 acres and forced evacuation orders in the area.

According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the East Evans Creek Road Fire, which started on Friday afternoon, grew to over 2,000 acres overnight.

On Saturday, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek’s office announced that she has invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the fire, which allows for state-wide resources to be mobilized to support local fire agencies on scene.

Evacuations and closures

Evacuation orders are in effect, and can be found here.

Update 7/13:

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said just after 6 p.m. on Monday that Zone JAC-124 has been upgraded from Level 2 (Be Set) to Level 3 (Go Now!).

The zone includes the 22705 to 24100 block of E. Evans Creek Road.

JCSO deputies are in the area giving door-to-door notifications.

Initial Evacuation Orders:

As of Saturday morning, the following evacuation orders were in effect:

• Level 3: Go Now! - JAC-148A
• Level 2: Be Set - JAC-016 / JAC-124 / JAC-147 / JAC-148B
• Level 1: Be Ready - JAC-003 / JAC-004 / JAC-017 / JAC-026 / JAC-036 / JAC-109 / JAC-126 / JAC-149B

In addition, the following road closures are in effect:

• There is a roadblock at mile marker 8 of Antioch Road
• East Evans Creek Road is closed from Meadows Road to West Fork Evans Creek Road

Shelter and livestock assistance

A shelter for people and domestic pets is open at Hanby Middle School in Gold Hill, located at 806 6th Avenue.

Officials say horses can be taken to the Jackson County Expo in Central Point, and smaller livestock can be taken to the Josephine County Fairgrounds in Grants Pass.

Anyone in need of livestock assistance can call 541-776-7206.

More information can be found on the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.