ODF Crews Tackling East Evans Creek Road Fire
Firefighters were dispatched to a grass fire occurring along East Evans Creek Road. The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District said the fire is being driven by wind and steep terrain. The Watch Duty app reports the fire is at an estimated 1,000 acres. ODF posted a Facebook update at 6:15 p.m., saying firefighters continue an aggressive suppression effort under extreme heat, low relative humidity, steep terrain, and challenging fire conditions. Crews were successful in catching two spot fires, but a third contributed to increased fire growth. The fire is also burning into the East Evans Fire scar, and the combination of steep terrain and active spot fires continues to challenge suppression efforts. Smoke is hampering aviation operations on portions of the fire, limiting the effectiveness of aircraft in some areas. Despite these challenges, firefighters continue working hard on the ground and in the air to slow the fire's spread. Additional resources are being ordered to support firefighting efforts throughout the night. ODF Incident Management Team 1 has been ordered and will assume command to support ongoing suppression operations. A Level 1: Be Ready to evacuate warning for Zones JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-036 and JAC-147, a Level 2: Be Set warning for Zone JAC-016, JAC-124 and JAC-148-B, and a Level 3: Go Now for Zone JAC-148-A have been issued in the area of the 18,000 block of East Evans Creek Rd. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office reports traffic is blocked on E Evans Creek Road at Meadows Road on the east side and W Fork Evans Creek Road on the west side. Please avoid the area as fire crews do their work. For more information on the Evacuation Levels go to: https://wildfire.oregon.gov/Pages/evacuations.aspx
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Council to Discuss Lodging Tax, Tourism Grant Program, Owl Plaza before Executive Session
The Grants Pass City Council is scheduled to meet for their workshop to discuss tax allocation and tourism following presentations, then meet in Executive Session Monday morning. The meeting, starting at 11:45 a.m. will begin with a Lodging Tax allocation presentation. Council will hear a review of the Tourism Grant Program, then hold a discussion for the Owl Plaza. An agenda review will follow covering Wednesday's business meeting, and any potential items to be added to the calendar. Council will then adjourn the meeting and reconvene in Executive Session for labor negotiations. The public is welcome to attend the workshop in person or virtually by going to www.grantspassoregon.gov.
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Task Force Busts Black-Market Marijuana Grow outside Applegate Area
The Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) detectives served a search warrant today at a black-market cannabis grow in the 100 block of Hogan Road near rural Applegate outside of Jacksonville. According to a press release, IMET detectives seized approximately 1,300 marijuana plants, a half-pound of psilocybin mushrooms, and three and a half pounds of THC extract. There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling, or processing at the location. IMET was assisted by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Oregon State Police. Oregon Water Resources Department and Jackson County Code Enforcement responded to the scene to conduct investigations.
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