August 27, 2022 9:20 a.m.

Friday night, Governor Kate Brown invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act in response to the Rum Creek Fire burning near the communities of Galice and Rand in Josephine County.

A release said the declaration allows the Office of the State Marshal to take unified command Saturday, with local mutual aid currently on scene. The fire sparked from lightning and significantly increased Friday night to 4,700 acres. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office has issued Level 3, Level 2, and Level 1 evacuation orders for homes near the fire.

Brown said, “The Rum Creek Fire grew rapidly overnight, requiring additional resources to battle the fire and support the state’s response”. Brown said, “This is a good reminder that conditions can change quickly and that fire knows no bounds. It is important for all Oregonians to be prepared, follow all evacuation orders, and continue to follow local and statewide fire prevention regulations to keep our communities safe and our natural resources protected”.

Additional updates on the fire are at: https://www.facebook.com/rumcreekfire2022