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Jack Fire 20% contained; Evacuation levels reduced

Written by on July 15, 2021

Steamboat, Ore. – The Jack Fire is currently estimated at 13,907 acres and is 20% contained. North of Hwy. 138, the east, west and northwest flanks are secured, mop-up and patrolling continue.

Other areas, much work is taking place. On the northeast, prep along the planned line continues and burning to remove vegetation is ongoing. As firefighters meet objectives north of the river, they are being moved to help increase pace of accomplishment south.

South of HWY 138, on the western perimeter of the incident, firefighters will continue burning lines and mop-up. Work to prepare identified control lines and burning operations continues, along with holding on the 4714 road on the east toward the southern edge of the fire. Cooler temperatures today will assist the firefighting efforts on the ground.

Structures: Structures have been prepped, structure protection enhanced and will be monitored by firefighters from NW Team 9. Crews continue to secure Horseshoe Bend campground and plan to complete structure protection on Deception Creek Trail bridges.

Aviation: Four Type 1 aircraft and one Type 3 aircraft continue to support firefighters on the ground. Type 1 aircraft include Sikorsky and Kaman 1200 (KMax) helicopters along with a Type 3 A-Star helicopter. Air assets provide ground resources with water and retardant drops to limit the spread of the fire and to help establish and hold containment lines.

Evacuations: Effective Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at 5:30 pm, the following changes have been made to the evacuation levels issued last week.

  • The Level 3 “GO!” evacuation for all residences and businesses located between milepost 43 and 51 on Highway 138E, including the Dry Creek Community has been reduced to a LEVEL 2 “BE SET” notice.
  • All residences and businesses located between milepost 38 and 43 on Highway 138E, including the Steamboat Inn and all residences located on Brindle Bug Road and Steelhead Caddis Road, have been downgraded from a Level 2 “Be Set” to a Level 1 “Be Ready”.
  • All residences and businesses located between milepost 51 and 55 on Highway 138E have been downgraded to a Level 1 “Be Ready”.
  • All residences and businesses located between milepost 55 and 60 on Highway 138E, to include the Slide Creek Village, Toketee Village and Clearwater Village, are no longer under a formal evacuation notice.

A current evacuation map can be found at www.dcso.com/evacuations The Sheriff’s Office will continue to work with county commissioners, fire managers and agency partners to ensure public safety.

Closures: Highway 138E remains closed as ODOT geologists and tree fallers are working to clear the highway of hazards for a possible re-opening by this weekend. Residents who have been evacuated and can show valid photo identification proving their address may be escorted through the highway closure by ODOT personnel. Failure to provide proof of valid proof of residency, will result in a denial of entry past the road closure. Please visit the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office interactive evacuation map: www.dcso.com/evacuations

State highway 138E from Steamboat Creek to mile post 55 is closed to vehicle traffic. Steamboat Inn is also closed. Oregon Department of Transportation has set an eastside ‘soft closure’ checkpoint at Lemolo Lake junction to allow for local access into nearby recreation areas, including Lemolo Lake. Please visit https://tripcheck.com/ for updates on road closures.

The Umpqua National Forest has issued closure orders around the Jack Fire. The full closure order and map can be viewed on at www.fs.usda.gov/umpqua and on the Jack Fire Facebook page.

Cooler temperatures in the 80’s today. Winds will be light from the east northeast in morning, changing northwest in afternoon.


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