SAMS VALLEY, Ore. - Zone JAC-017 has been upgraded to a Level 2 (BE SET) Evacuation due to increased fire activity of the East Evans Creek Fire.
Zone JAC-014 has been placed under a Level 1 (Be Ready) Evacuation. See below for a full look at the evacuations in place for this fire and how to find your zone.
Updated on July 14, 2026 at 10:00 p.m.
SAMS VALLEY, Ore. - Hot, dry and unstable conditions resulted in rapid changes in in fire intensity this afternoon for fire crews battling the East Evans Creek Fire. ODF says two of the spot fires identified during last night's infrared flight have been mostly lined; however, one remains challenging due to difficult access and rugged terrain. This evening, a new spot fire east of the main fire perimeter prompted additional Level 2 and Level 1 evacuations. Crews are using both aircraft and heavy equipment to support suppression efforts in the area while continuing to improve access and strengthen control lines.
This evening, divisions along the northern half of the fire are experiencing extreme fire behavior, including running, torching, and spotting, which ODF says is expected to continue into the early morning hours. This remains a terrain- and fuel-driven fire, with steep slopes and heavy fuels continuing to challenge suppression efforts. Firefighters will continue working through the night to cool and slow fire growth, aggressively engaging with the fire when possible, and taking advantage of opportunities to establish and expand fire line. More resources are expected to arrive on the fire to help out with fire suppression.
Tomorrow, ODF says firefighters will continue working to tie existing control lines together and strengthen containment. Although temperatures are expected to be slightly cooler, the area remains critically dry, and any new fire starts have the potential to experience rapid growth under current fuel conditions.
The Bureau of Land Management is also enacting a closure order for BLM-administered lands near the Evans Creek Fire. Details on the closure can be found HERE.
There will be a community meeting to update the public on the fire and is planned for Wednesday, July 15th at 6:30 p.m. at the Shady Cove School Gym at 100 Cleveland St., Shady Cove, OR 97539. You will also be able to stream it online HERE.
Updated on July 14, 2026 at 9:30 p.m.
SAMS VALLEY, Ore. - Zones JAC-126 and JAC-149-B have been upgraded to a Level 2 (BE SET) Evacuation due to increased fire activity of the East Evans Creek Fire.
Multiple Level 1 (Be Ready) Evacuations have been issued for Zones JAC-127, JAC-131, JAC-149-A, and JAC-158 due to the East Evans Creek Fire.
Updated on July 14, 2026 at 7:44 p.m.
SAMS VALLEY, Ore. - Zone JAC-148-A Evacuation, originally a Level 3 (GO NOW), has been downgraded to a Level 2 (BE SET).
Updated on July 14, 2026 at 1:18 p.m.
SAMS VALLEY, Ore. - Over Monday night, the East Evans Creek Fire grew to 5,370 acres due to multiple spot fires in the northeastern perimeter, which officials worked on throughout the night.
Due to poor humidity, high temperatures, isolated dry thunderstorms, and gusty winds, smoke-columns will be visible on Tuesday. Aircraft efforts will support slowing the fire spread, along with cooling areas, and reinforcing containment lines.
Wildland firefighters will continue to protect structures, monitoring ember casts, along with being ready to respond to new activity. Additional hand crews, engines, equipment, overhead personnel, and aviation resources have been ordered to help.
The community should expect to see increased fire resources throughout the area and nearby residents should monitor official updates throughout the day. Officials warn entering closed areas and stopping alongside roadways. Due to the fire, smoke may settle lower into the valley and air quality may be impacted.
Updated on July 14, 2026 at 9:13 a.m.
SAMS VALLEY, Ore. - Increased fire activity due to hot an dry conditions is prompting firefighters to adjust suppression tactics on the East Evans Creek Fire and additional resources have been ordered. Challenging weather conditions are expected to persist. Another infrared flight has been ordered tonight to map the fire and give crews a clear picture of the fire's movement, current footprint and updated acreage. Fire line on the southern portion of the fire remains holding and unchanged.
Incoming firefighting resources, ordered by ODF Complex Incident Management Team 1 will be arriving Tuesday to support suppression. ODF is concerned about the potential for another very active day on Tuesday. An approaching weather system will bring greater atmospheric instability, including the potential for thunderstorms with gusty and erratic winds. Firefighters continue to construct, improve and hold containment lines where conditions allow. ODF says as fire activity has increased, so has the complexity of the incident. The unified incident management teams continue adapting suppression strategies while maintaining firefighter and public safety as the highest priority.
Earlier today, ODF says an incident involving a wildland vehicle occurred on the fire. Nobody was injured, but an investigation will be conducted.
Tonight, firefighters will continue strengthening and holding existing containment lines. Warm overnight temperatures may allow active fire behavior and a visible smoke column to persist into the morning. Crews will continue safely engaging the fire's edge where conditions allow while constructing indirect containment lines farther from the fire perimeter.
Jackson County has upgraded JAC-124 from a Level 2 (BE SET) to a Level 3 (GO NOW).
Updated on July 13, 2026 at 9:00 p.m.
SAMS VALLEY, Ore. - Increased fire behavior is occurring on the north end of of the fire due to hot weather, gusty winds, and steep terrain.
There are currently Type 1, 2, and 3 helicopters as well as air tankers to help slow down the fire progression.
Jackson County has upgraded JAC-124 from a Level 2 (BE SET) to a Level 3 (GO NOW).
Updated on July 13, 2026 at 6:33 p.m.
SAMS VALLEY, Ore. - With efforts continuing through the night, officials used an infrared flight and deemed the East Evans Creek Fire to be 3,628 acres.
Lines were held and connected through the northeastern edge, along with the southern side. With structures being at threat, Oregon State Fire Marshal patrolled nearby houses and other structures. Mop up efforts continue at homes as well.
Wildland officials continue to work on south and eastern parts of the perimeter. Crews create a cold, black control line that makes it difficult for the fire to cross. This process allows for containment to increase.
All evacuations are still in place.
Updated at July 13, 2026 at 11:54 a.m.
SAMS VALLEY, Ore. - Despite ongoing efforts from responders, the East Evans Creek Fire has reached 3,152 acres.
Wind increased fire behavior on the northwestern side, creating majority of yesterdays smoke. Aircrafts played a large role in attacking the northwestern line, with various aerial reinforcements supplying retardant and water drops.
Efforts continue with all evacuations still in place.
Updated on July 12, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
SAMS VALLEY, Ore. - Officials responded to a car crash around 2:40 p.m. on Friday involving a power pole and a downed power line, resulting in the East Evans Creek Fire.
The fire is now estimated to be 2,000 acres, with crews reinforcing wet line along with strengthening the fire line and mitigating hazardous snags around the incident.
July 11, more than 400 responders are assigned to the East Evans Creek Fire, with 20-person hand crews, engines, dozers, water tenders, heavy equipment, aviation resources, and structural task forces. Following that, aviation resources include one Type 3 helicopter with Air Attack, three Type 2 helicopters and two Type 1 helicopters, providing heavy aerial support as conditions allow.
Crews are continuing firefighting efforts hazardous trees, across the old burn scar, while working o