Rapidly growing wildfire threatens homes and communities in Jackson County

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing four structural task forces and its Blue Incident Management Team to the fast-moving East Evans Creek Road fire in Jackson County. The fire, which sparked yesterday, quickly grew to more than 1,500 acres and is threatening nearby homes and several communities.

Yesterday evening, Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the East Evans Creek Road fire. This action marks the first time the Emergency Conflagration Act has been invoked in 2026 and allows the Oregon State Fire Marshal to mobilize additional resources through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office has levels 1, 2 and 3 evacuation notices in place for areas affected by the fire. Those seeking evacuation information should follow the local sheriff's office.

The state fire marshal task forces from Lincoln, Linn, Marion and the south coast, including Coos, Curry, Lane and Douglas counties, will join the response. These forces will work alongside a task force from Klamath County and a strike team from Douglas County, which mobilized yesterday evening through Immediate Response to support local structural resources.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal Blue Incident Management Team will operate in unified command with the Oregon Department of Forestry Team One.

Chief Travis Medema Deputy of the Oregon State Fire Marshal, highlighted the risks of the current fire season. “This fire is a reminder how quickly things can change with the dry conditions we have across the state. We have a long way to go this fire season and I ask every Oregonian to do their part to prevent wildfires,” Medema said.