Sheriffs: Fire Evacuation Zones Eliminated

** The following is a joint release from the sheriffs of Jackson and Josephine counties. **

Following Monday's declaration of the end of fire season in southwest Oregon, the Jackson and Josephine County Sheriff's Offices announce the elimination of any remaining wildfire evacuation zones within their respective jurisdictions.

All remaining Level One "Be Ready" evacuation levels were lifted as of 9:00 a.m. on October 29, 2018.  This includes Level One zones that may have remained for safety and security related to, but not limited to, the following wildfires in the two counties: Klamathon Fire, Wagner Creek Complex, Garner Complex, Taylor Creek Fire, Klondike Fire, Miles Fire, Ramsey Canyon Fire, and the Hugo Road Fire.

While many of the wildfires in our area are now completely extinguished, there are still mop-up and rehabilitation operations underway well within the perimeter of some of the fires. Therefore, interior smoke may be visible on occasion.  If you see something that appears unusual, or is not in the location of a current fire footprint, please notify your local fire agency.

Although we are seeing the temperatures cool and the seasons change, this is not the time to become complacent. If you have not yet signed up for our dual county emergency notification system – Citizen Alert – be sure to do so now.  As we found during the summer wildfire season, Citizen Alert was invaluable in getting important evacuation information to people quickly.  

But, Citizen Alert is not just for wildfire evacuation notices – it can be used for a variety of emergency situations. You can opt-in by signing up for emergency notifications by cell phone, email address, and more at www.rvem.org.  While you are there, take a minute to learn more about how you can prepare to keep you and your family safe in any type of emergency.

We wish to thank our local first responders as well as the interagency teams from across the country who came to our area to help keep us safe.  Most of all, thank you to the citizens for the unwavering support and assistance.  Everyone’s hard work and collaboration shone through during this lengthy and challenging fire season.

Sheriff Nathan Sickler

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff Dave Daniel

Josephine County Sheriff’s Office

###