(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown today invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act in response to the Jack Fire that broke out in Douglas County Monday evening. The fire is estimated to be 900 acres in size and is located near the community of Dry Creek. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has issued Level 3 evacuations, and the fire has temporarily closed Highway 138. The Office of the State Fire Marshal will assume command at 8 p.m. today and will work to bring resources from counties around Oregon to assist in the response.

"Today I invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act to make more state resources available to the fire crews on the front lines in Douglas County at the Jack Fire," Governor Brown said. "It is evident that this fire season is rapidly under way, and we must all remain aware and cautious throughout the season, especially with activities that could spark a fire. We all need to do our part to help the many firefighters battling multiple fires across Oregon."

In accordance with ORS 476.510-476.610, Governor Brown determined that a threat to life, safety, and property exist due to the fire, and the threat exceeds the firefighting capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment. The Governor's declaration cleared the way for the State Fire Marshal to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources battling the fire.

The Office of the State Marshal's Blue Incident Management Team has been mobilized. OSFM is responding with personnel, a Communications Unit, and a cache trailer loaded with incident support supplies, including COVID-19 PPE, tools to enhance defensible space around structures, and other provisions firefighters need to inhabit a fire camp.