Lincoln, Linn And Tillamook County Fire Agencies Deploy Another Strike Team To East Evans Creek Road Fire (Photo) - 07/16/26
Lincoln County, — July 16, 2026 — This morning, the Lincoln County Fire Defense Board fulfilled a resource request from the Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office by mobilizing Strike Team 7 in support of the East Evans Creek Road Fire, located approximately 14 miles northeast of Rogue River in Jackson County, Oregon.
Strike Team #7 is comprised of units from Lincoln, Linn & Tillamook Counties with the following resources. The deployment is being led by Strike Team Leader Mark Bernt of the City of Albany Fire Department.
| District | IC | Resource |
|---|---|---|
| North Lincoln Fire (Lincoln Co. | E15 | Type 1 Engine |
| Depoe Bay Fire (Lincoln Co.) | E22 | Type 1 Engine |
| Albany Fire (Linn Co.) | RE13 | Type 1 Engine |
| Harrisburg Fire (Linn Co.) | E41 | Type 1 Engine |
| Netarts-Oceanside Fire (Tillamook Co.) | B72 | Type 1 Engine |
| Albany Fire (Linn Co.) | 181 | Task Force Leader |
Strike Team 7 departed Lincoln County this morning at 08:00 a.m. and is en route to the staging area in Medford, Oregon. The team is expected to arrive at approximately 17:30 p.m. and will be assigned to operational duties immediately upon arrival.
The East Evans Creek Road Fire experienced rapid growth following its start on Friday, July 10, 2026. This fire has seen significant growth in the last 6 days, requiring additional resources. The fire is currently estimated to have burned 11,551 acres. Firefighters will continue to encounter challenging conditions as suppression efforts continue. This deployment may last up to 14 days, depending on fire activity and operational needs.
Strike Team 7 represents the second deployment of resources requested by the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) from Lincoln County fire agencies, this week, to assist with suppression efforts on the East Evans Creek Road Fire. These firefighters and apparatus have joined the statewide response to help protect lives, property, and natural resources as wildfire activity continues to increase across Oregon.
On behalf of the Lincoln County Fire Defense Board, I would like to thank the firefighters and agencies who answered the call to assist our fellow Oregonians during this significant wildfire incident. Their willingness to serve reflects the professionalism, dedication, and strong mutual aid partnerships that exist throughout our state.
With wildfire activity increasing across the state, we ask everyone to be vigilant and exercise due diligence with any activity that could spark a fire. Avoid using equipment that may create sparks during the hottest parts of the day, properly extinguish campfires where permitted, and never discard smoking materials on the ground or from a vehicle.
We also want to remind all residents that a debris burning ban remains in effect. These restrictions are in place to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire during periods of elevated fire danger.
We appreciate the continued support of our community as our personnel assist in protecting Oregonians statewide. By working together and following current fire restrictions, we can help reduce the risk of additional wildfires and keep our communities safe.
Please keep the residents affected by this fire, along with all emergency responders working to protect lives and property, in your thoughts during this critical time.
Submitted by Lincoln County Fire Defense Board Chair, Chief Tom Jackson