Oregon State Fire Marshal Deploys Four Task Forces to Jackson County Wildfire

The Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilized four structural firefighting task forces and its Blue Incident Management Team to assist local crews battling the East Evans Creek Road Fire in Jackson County. The blaze, ignited on July 11, had expanded to more than 1,500 acres under hot, dry conditions, prompting Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation notices for nearby neighborhoods.

Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act, authorizing the marshal to deploy additional resources through the state's Fire Mutual Aid System – the first such invocation this wildfire season. Task forces from Lincoln, Linn, Marion and the South Coast regions joined an existing Klamath County task force and a Douglas County strike team to protect lives, homes and critical infrastructure.

Fire Marshal Chief Deputy Travis Medema emphasized the rapid change possible in Oregon’s dry conditions and urged residents to help prevent further fires.