Mop-Up, Suppression Repair Continues Across East Evans Creek Fire
Firefighters made further, steady progress on the East Evans Creek Fire as crews worked through the fire area extinguishing remaining hotspots. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry's latest update, overnight relative humidity recoveries reached the 80 to 90 percent range, and cooler temperatures created favorable conditions for mop-up operations. The fire remains at 15,580 acres and is 78% contained. An infrared-equipped Unmanned Aircraft System mapped areas of lingering heat across the fire, helping firefighters quickly locate hotspots not visible from the ground. On the south side of the fire in the Dry Creek area, the aircraft identified a few hotspots within the 300-foot mop up zone, where crews quickly extinguished the remaining heat. Light interior smoke will continue as isolated pockets of heavy fuels slowly burn within the fire perimeter. Firefighters are conducting daily reconnaissance of the fire, backhauling hose and equipment from areas where it is no longer needed, and completing suppression repair. Chippers also remain active, processing brush and small trees removed during suppression activities.
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Medford Man Indicted, Lodged on 12 Child Sex Abuse Charges
A report of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) on a mobile device led to the arrest of a 29-year-old Medford man. A Jackson County Grand Jury returned an indictment Tuesday on all charges. The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team and Medford Police Department had arrested the suspect Thursday, July 23rd at a residence in the 800 block of Bennett Avenue. The suspect, Jonathan Daniel Marquez, 29, of Medford, is charged with two counts of First Degree Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse, and 10 counts of Second Degree Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse. He is lodged in the Jackson County Jail. SOCET began their investigation after MPD received a report of CSAM on a mobile device which led to subpoenas, followed by a search warrant at the residence. The Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force assisted in the investigation.
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BCC Approved IGA's Contracts, Invoices, Met in Executive Session at Workshop
The Board of Commissioners approved intergovernmental agreements, contracts, and invoices during their County Administration Workshop. Public Work's requested Advisory Board Appointments to three local agencies: Rogue Valley Commission on Transportation, Solid Waste Agency, and the Middle Rogue Metropolitan Planning Organization. The board approved the request, and the purchase of four Operation Division Replacement trucks. Also approved was an amendment reflecting a cost increase on the Wolf Creek Bridge project set for 2027. Public Works will pick up about $284,000 of the cost. The board moved 3-0 for Transit's Designation of Signature Authority for the Finance Director. A Department of Human Services Intergovernmental Agreement providing rides to eligible individuals, with the marginal cost charged to the Federal Government was also approved. Following an Airport Update, an FAA Grant Agreement for $2,759,417 covering the bridge loan motion was unanimous. The grant will fund an approved Knife River Materials project contract.
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