Rum Creek Fire growth on Rogue River prompts evacuations, emergency declaration from governor

Editor's note: This story was updated at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30

The Rum Creek Fire grew rapidly Friday evening, gaining over 3,000 acres overnight, and brought multiple evacuations to the iconic Rogue River town of Galice, located northwest of Grants Pass. Gov. Kate Brown on Saturday morning invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act, effectively providing further support from the state to fight the wildfire, with a focus on structure protection.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the fire had burned 11,696 acres and destroyed one residence near Almeda Park, according to Rural Metro Fire. Rural Metro Fire reported it had made progress overnight building containment lines, and more than 1,300 firefighters were working the fire.

For the latest on evacuation updates, follow this page. A level 3 evacuation remains in effect for the outposts of Rand, Galice and a large surrounding area up to Hog Creek and north of Belknap Gulch, according to the Josephine County Sheriff's Office.

Areas to the south and west of that were at a Level 2: Be Set, and asked to be ready to leave quickly if needed. Areas west of Interstate 5 including Hugo, Three Pines, Pleasant Valley and Merlin, were at a Level 1: Be Ready and asked to prepare to evacuate.

Local residents Friday night had to flee the area in the evening darkness, according to social media reports.

“The Rum Creek Fire grew rapidly overnight, requiring additional resources to battle the fire and support the state’s response,” Brown said in a statement. “This is a good reminder that conditions can change quickly, and that fire knows no bounds.”

The Rogue River was closed from Hog Creek through the Wild section to all users for public and firefighter safety, according to officials. It will be assessed daily to determine when it is safe to reopen.

A Red Cross shelter for evacuees will be at the Pavilion Building at the Josephine County Fairgrounds.

A number of wildfires have burned in the area over the past decade and a U.S. Forest Service study identified the area as the most at risk to wildfires in Oregon. Just last year, the beloved Galice Store partly burned down.

More:Beauty and wildfire danger: Southwest Oregon fights to avoid becoming 'next Paradise'

Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. To support his work, subscribe to the Statesman Journal. Urness is the author of “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon” and “Hiking Southern Oregon.” He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Rum Creek Fire growth on Rogue River prompts evacuations, emergency declaration from governor