Local firefighters called to aid in battle against growing wildfire near Medford

Firefighters based in Lane County have been deployed to assist with a wildfire near Medford, which has exploded to more than 2,500 acres since it started Friday.

The East Evans Creek Fire, about 26 miles north of Medford, has forced evacuation orders in several parts of Jackson County.

A car crash and a downed powerline ignited the fire Friday afternoon, officials said.

Crews on engines and bulldozers are working to keep the fire from spreading into nearby residential areas, but the magnitude of the fire is beyond the scope of local firefighting agencies.

As strong northwesterly winds continue to stoke the fire, Gov. Tina Kotek invoked Oregon’s Emergency Conflagration Act on Friday, which is triggered when a wildfire threatens life, safety and property.

When invoked, the Oregon State Fire Marshal can mobilize firefighting personnel and equipment from across the state through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System.

In Lane County, Eugene Springfield Fire Deployed four personnel to work in leadership and logistical roles, helping manage the overall crisis response, said Janel Klews, a spokesperson for the fire department. Eugene Springfield Fire did not send any of its own fire trucks or emergency vehicles.

To ensure normal firefighting operations in Eugene and Springfield, firefighters are working extra shifts to fill the empty spots. There will be no negative impact on emergency services at home, Klews said.

In addition to the local personnel, the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Western Lane District sent eight firefighters to fill specialized positions. ODF’s South Cascade District sent nine overhead personnel to help direct field operations along with one fire engine, according to Jessica Neujahr, an ODF spokesperson.

The East Evans Creek Fire has become one of the largest wildfires in Oregon this season. The fire season is expected to last into October, according to state fire officials. 

Southern and central Oregon face heightened wildfire risks this season due to parched forests and a historically low winter snowpack, according to the National Interagency Fire Center’s seasonal outlook.