Jack Fire grows to almost 17k acres, 25% contained

Steamboat, Ore. – The Jack Fire is currently estimated at 16,667 acres and is 25% contained. North of Hwy. 138 resources continue to successfully hold the fire within the planned containment lines. Firefighters are working to clear vegetation on the remaining portion on the containment line on the northern perimeter. As mop-up is completed, crews will be shifted to different parts of the fire to help with suppression efforts.

South of HWY 138, firefighters aided by air resources have established containment lines along the eastern and western perimeter of the fire. Crews will continue bringing line down and around the southern edge of the fire with the goal of completing line construction within the planned containment area. Resources are using a combination of hand and dozer line supported by water drops and fire suppressant to establish the remaining containment line. Firefighters will burn away vegetation when needed to maintain the line.

Structures: Structures continue to be monitored by firefighters from NW Team 9.

Aviation: 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.

• LEVEL 2 “BE SET” evacuation for all residences and businesses located between milepost 43 and 51 on Highway 138E, including the Dry Creek Community is in effect.
• 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, are in a Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuation level.
• All residences and businesses located between milepost 51 and 55 on Highway 138E are in a Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuation level.

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.

Weather: Today will be sunny with smoke. Smoke is expected to clear off in the afternoon. Temperatures will be in the low to mid 80’s with light winds out of the northeast.