Local News

Fire crews overnight worked to limit growth of new spot fires and hold existing fireline on the East Evans Creek Fire, still estimated at about 11,551.4 acres. The Oregon Department of Forestry's morning update reports air tankers were used to slow the growth of the Canyon Creek spot fire while firefighters constructed fireline around its perimeter. Crews worked to establish a control line on the spot fire near Hull Mountain and strengthen the main fire's existing line. Today, efforts to complete the main line will continue. Four additional strike teams of Type 1 engines will arrive today to expand structure protection operations in the Ramsey Creek, Trail, and Shady Cove areas, where firefighters are assessing homes, improving defensible space, and preparing for changing fire conditions. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management have issued the following evacuations by level:
- Evacuation Level 3 Go Now: Zones JAC-017, JAC-109, JAC-124 JAC-126, JAC-127-A, and JAC-149-B.
- Evacuation Level 2 Be Set: Zones JAC-016, JAC-026, JAC-111, JAC-112, JAC-131, JAC-132, JAC-133, JAC-134, JAC-147, JAC-148, and JAC-149-A.
- 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, SHC-157, and SHC-158, and Douglas County Zones DOU-1012, and DOU-1015.
Traffic is closed to the public on East Evans Creek Road at Meadows Road. The BLM has issued a road closure for West Fork Evans Creek Road and Rock Creek Road. The Tiller-Trail Highway is closed at the county border in Jackson County to Highway 62. Please avoid the fire area to allow firefighters and heavy equipment to operate safely.

 

Rural Metro reported crews helped avert a wildfire along Interstate 5 northbound near Exit 71 Wednesday around 3:21 p.m.

After the driver of a pickup with camper fell short in suppressing the fire in the engine compartment with extinguishers, members of a fire strike team out of the Clackamas area en-route to the East Evans Creek Fire were able to divert and help finish the job.

Soon after, a nearby unit with the Oregon Department of Forestry was able to confirm no embers landed in the adjacent dry grass. The quick actions were also instrumental in saving the contents of the camper.

This stretch of Interstate 5 is considered remote due to a lack of essential services, including a staffed fire station, so help is often delayed.

 

A Jackson County man was sentenced to federal prison last Thursday for possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to a release, Eduardo Cortes Cortes, 28, was sentenced to 67 months in federal prison and four years’ supervised release.

Court documents show that, in July 2022, investigators responded to an overdose where the victim was declared deceased with a rolled up dollar bill with crushed pill residue that tested positive for fentanyl. After extensive investigation, Tyren Duarte was determined to be the source of supply to the victim.

Law enforcement later identified Cortes Cortes as a source of that fentanyl, and, during a traffic stop, law enforcement recovered 93 grams of fentanyl pills and 33.66 grams of a fentanyl analogue inside his vehicle.

On February 2nd, 2023, a federal grand jury in Medford returned an indictment charging Duarte, Cortes Cortes, and a third co-conspirator with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Duarte previously plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison and six years of supervised release on August 19th, 2025.

 

Firefighters responded to increased fire activity across the East Evans Creek Fire, with the blaze becoming more active in several areas, and estimated to be 11,551.4 acres, according to the Watch Duty app. The latest Oregon Department of Forestry update says spot fires challenged crews throughout the day, with the Board Mountain spot being the largest, estimated at about 1,000 acres. Containment lines have been held on its north side and have limited further spread. A new spot fire east of the mountain was detected, and crews are working on limiting its growth. Resources are also actively engaged on multiple spot fires and working to improve control line options by identifying safe opportunities to connect natural and constructed features. Protecting homes remains a top priority. Visibility limited the use of air tankers yesterday due to increased smoke. Helicopters and ground resources worked in coordination throughout the day to slow the fire's spread, and firefighters worked overnight to hold existing lines. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management have issued the following evacuations by level:
- Evacuation Level 3 Go Now: Zones JAC-109, JAC-124 JAC-126, JAC-127-A, and JAC-149-B.
- Evacuation Level 2 Be Set: Zones JAC-016, JAC-017, JAC-111, JAC-112, JAC-131, JAC-132, JAC-133, JAC-134, JAC-147, JAC-148, and JAC-149-A.
- Evacuation Level 1 Be Ready: Zones JAC-003, JAC-004, JAC-014, JAC-026, JAC-036, and JAC-158, Shady Cove Zones SHC-151, SHC-152, SHC-153, SHC-154, SHC-156, SHC-157, and SHC-158, and Douglas County Zones DOU-1012, and DOU-1015.

 

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office has upgraded Zones JAC-109, JAC-126, and JAC-149-B from a Level 2 to Evacuation Level 3: Go Now. Residents should leave immediately. There is extreme danger in the area. It is unsafe to stay and threatens the safety of you, your loved ones and emergency responders. A Level 2: Be Set warning has been issued for Zones JAC-111, JAC-112, JAC-127, JAC-131, JAC-132, JAC-133, JAC-134, and JAC-149-A per the JCSO. Additionally, Shady Cove Zones SHC-151, SHC-152, SHC-153, SHC-154, SHC-156, SHC-157, and SHC-158 have been issued a Level 1: Be Ready warning. A Level 1: Be Ready to evacuate warning for Zones JAC-003, JAC-004, JAC-014, JAC-026, JAC-036, and JAC-158, a Level 2: Be Set warning for Zones JAC-016, JAC-017, JAC-147, and JAC-148, and a Level 3: Go Now for Zone JAC-124 remain in effect.

 

The Grants Pass City Council Wednesday night gave away one of the Grants Pass Fire Department's fire engines. The Council received a formal request from sister city, Autlan De Navarro, Mexico, seeking the donation of an emergency vehicle and miscellaneous fire equipment. Autlan is covering all expenses related to the transfer of the truck. The truck and additional fire engine are in the process of being retired after the Department acquired two new trucks. The city disposes of retired fire apparatus through the State's surplus auction, where a retired fire truck may sell for $12,000. Actually Autlan is purchasing the truck for $1. The resolution was approved on a 4 to 3 vote. Then Councilors approved a resolution approving commercial activity in Riverside Park for August 23rd for the second annual Medicine Show Revival and the waiving of the park fee with the exception of the $75 Security and Clean-Up Fee. $220.50 was waived on a five to one vote. Councilors Pell and Riker participated in the meeting remotely and Councilor Joel King was absent

 

The Oregon Department of Transportation is continuing their pavement maintenance project set to be finished July 16th, and is reminding the public of potential delays.

Resuming Thursday from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., crews will repair cracked and rutted pavement on the Jacksonville Highway 238 west of Medford between West Main Street and Ross Lane.

The highway will be limited to a single lane through the work zone. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers and pilot cars. Expect delays of less than 20 minutes and reduced speed through the work zone.

Slow down and use caution in the zone. Allow extra travel time and watch for crews and equipment. Consider using an alternate route to avoid delays. This work is weather dependent and schedules may change.

 

Trespass orders and citations were given during a Riverside Park check by Grants Pass Police officers.

Tuesday morning, officers contacted two suspects in the 304 E Park Street location. They were both cited for Utilization of Open Park Space, and trespassed from the area for 30 days.

Law enforcement then located a woman inside her van. She was contacted and warned for parking on Vista Drive without a permit. During the interaction, she was found to have a warrant out of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office for Second Degree Trespass.

The warrant charged her with Larceny, and officers took her into custody around 7:46 a.m. She was then issued a citation to appear in Douglas County Court for her warrant.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested one and impounded a dog during an area check Tuesday morning.

Two suspects were contacted at the river's edge near 900 E Park Street around 10:51 a.m. One of them, identified as Jeffrey McPeake, was found to have a felony warrant and had previously run from law enforcement during the last property check.

He proceeded to run from police, and an officer attempted to deploy a taser after telling McPeake to stop to avoid potential injury. The attempt was unsuccessful, as was a search of the area for McPeake.

The second suspect, Morgan Botello, was taken into custody for Second Degree Criminal Trespass. Animal Control had been contacted by officers regarding McPeake's dog that was at the scene, and he was secured at the Josephine County Animal Shelter. Botello was advised she had five days to contact the shelter.

She was additionally trespassed from the property and transported to jail. Officers lodged Botello on her trespass charge and Offensive Littering. Josephine County Jail logs show she was booked today at 9:50 a.m.

Logs also show McPeake was booked this morning at 10:01 a.m. for Second Degree Criminal Trespass, Possession of Methamphetamine, Offensive Littering, and a Post-Prison Supervision Sanction.