Fire Crews Engage Two Wind-Driven JoCo Grass Fires
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office has issued a wildfire emergency alert, a Level 2: Be Set, for the area of Redwood Highway and Waldo Road. According to the Watch Duty app, the evacuation order is in effect for Zones JCU-512, JCU-513, JCU-514, JCU 516, JCU-522, and JCU-523. A level two means there is significant danger in the area, and individuals living in these zones should be ready to leave at a moment's notice. The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District page reports firefighters continue working on the Waldo Fire, estimated at approximately 10 acres, and one other wind-driven grass fire in Josephine County. The Ridge Vista Fire is estimated at 8 to 10 acres after growing due to spotting caused by gusty winds. Firefighters remain engaged in an aggressive initial attack on both fires. Multiple aircraft, including Type 1 and Type 3 helicopters, and large air tankers continue supporting suppression efforts. Type 6 engines, dozers, water tenders, hand crews, and other ground resources are actively working to slow the fires' spread and establish containment. A night shift resource order has been placed to support firefighting operations.
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Main Line, Spot Fire Containment Efforts Continue on East Evans Creek Fire
Firefighters worked through the night to hold and improve control lines on the East Evans Creek Fire, taking advantage of improved humidity and securing wind-impacted areas of the now 14,437 acre, 8% contained blaze. The latest update from the Oregon Department of Forestry reports crews continued engaging areas overnight where the fire crossed Board Mountain spot fire control lines. Structural and wildland firefighting resources are being repositioned today to support these efforts. The main blaze and the spot fire northwest of Hull Mountain remain in hold and mop-up status. On the Canyon Creek spot fire, firefighters maintained containment while continuing to deepen mop-up operations. Structure protection efforts expanded into the Antioch, Pomeroy, and Jones Road areas. Additional crews and equipment are also positioned alongside local resources to strengthen initial attack capability. Aircraft will support ground operations as forecasted dry, hot, and windy conditions allow. According to the Watch Duty app, the following evacuations are active by level:
- Evacuation Level 3 Go Now: Zones JAC-017, JAC-109, JAC-124 JAC-126, JAC-149-B, and JAC-203-A.
- Evacuation Level 2 Be Set: Zones JAC-016, JAC-026, JAC-111, JAC-112, JAC-127, JAC-131, JAC-132, JAC-133, JAC-134, JAC-147, JAC-148, JAC-149-A, and JAC-203-B.
- Evacuation Level 1 Be Ready: Zones JAC-003, JAC-004, JAC-014, JAC-036, and JAC-158, Shady Cove Zones SHC-151, SHC-152, SHC-153, SHC-154, SHC-156, and SHC-157, and Douglas County Zones DOU-1012, and DOU-1015.
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Human Remains Potentially Connected to Homicide Case Located by JoCo SAR
A member of the Josephine County Search and Rescue (SAR) team located human remains believed to be connected to a homicide case. The team member was checking along Reuben Mountain beyond the Grave Creek Bridge Thursday around 12:15pm. Based on observations along the roadside, they suspected human remains were in the area. Due to a lack of cell phone service in the area, the SAR member began driving back towards Merlin to make phone contact with investigators. They came upon Oregon State Police troopers and a Sheriff’s Office deputy at the Galice Resort and relayed their observations. Law enforcement responded to the reported area and traversed down the steep, rugged terrain where the deceased person was located. Detectives from the Oregon State Police, Grants Pass Police Department, Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office then responded to the scene with a rope team from Search and Rescue. The rope team was able to successfully recover the deceased person, whom investigators believe to be Randall “Randy” Hecker. However, confirmation will still need to be completed during a pending autopsy with the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office. Next of kin have been notified.
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