TILLER, Ore. - Effective at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office has cancelled all remaining evacuation notices for the Devil's Knob Fire. No evacuation notices exist for residents impacted by the Devil's Knob Fire or any other location in Douglas County. This is the last update from the Sheriff's Office regarding this incident. 

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CANYONVILLE, Ore. - Effective at 1:30 pm on Monday, September 16, 2024, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, working in partnership with Douglas Forest Protective Association, has cancelled all remaining Level 1 - BE READY evacuation notices for the Milepost 98 Fire due to suppression efforts. No evacuation notices exist for residents impacted by the Milepost 98 Fire. This is the last update from the Sheriff's Office regarding this incident. 

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DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is instituting several evacuation level changes to the Devil's Knob and Milepost 98 Fires. These changes will take effect at 5:00 pm on Thursday, September 12, 2024. An interactive map reflecting these evacuation levels can be found online at: www.dcso.com/evacuations 

• LEVEL 3 "GO!":
  • No Level 3 evacuation notices exist for either incident.
     
• LEVEL 2 "BE SET":
  • No Level 2 evacuation notices exist for either incident. The previous Level 2 evacuation notices have been downgraded.
     
• LEVEL 1 “BE READY”:
  • All residences on Joe Hall Road, Tiller (Devil's Knob Fire)
  • All residences on Tison Road, Tiller (Devil's Knob Fire)
  • All residences on Elk Diamond Road, Tiller (Devil's Knob Fire)
  • All residences on Ritchie Road, Canyonville (Milepost 98 Fire)
     
• CANCELLED EVACUATION NOTICES
  • All residential addresses on Canyon Creek Road, Canyonville (Milepost 98 Fire)
  • All residences on the East side of Tiller Trail Hwy between the 34000 block to 36760 block, Tiller (Devil's Knob Fire)

All residents who have been placed on any level of evacuation notice and those living in proximity of the fire should continue to monitor official sources for updated information. Any changes to these evacuation notices or danger levels will be communicated through official channels. 

UPDATE 09/11/2024 8:30 PM

GARDINER, Ore. - On Monday, September 9, 2024, detectives with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office were made aware of an attempt to tamper with the female victim in this case. Detectives were advised that 36-year-old Eric Cumming and his wife, 38-year-old Tabitha Cumming, both of Gardiner, were conspiring to get the juvenile victim to change her story in order to get Eric released.

“Detectives launched an investigation into the allegations and determined that Eric, who is currently lodged in the Douglas County Jail was communicating with his wife via letters. In those letters they discussed having Tabitha persuade the victim into changing her story,” Lt. Kelley Bean said.

Bean says Tabitha went as far as to contact the Douglas County District Attorney's Office and advise them that the juvenile had recanted her story and wanted to set the record straight. 

DCSO Detectives spoke with Tabitha and the juvenile, determining that Tabitha and Eric had in fact taken steps toward tampering with the witness/victim.

Tabitha was taken into custody and lodged in the Douglas County Jail on a single charge of Tampering With a Witness, a class C Felony. Eric, who was already in custody on the original charges was also charged with the crime of Tampering With a Witness. 

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ORIGINAL RELEASE 08/19/2024 8:00 AM

GARDINER, Ore. - A Gardiner man has been arrested and lodged in the Douglas County Jail on sex crime charges.

On Saturday, August 17, 2024, at approximately 10:00 am, deputies were dispatched to a reported disturbance in the 70000-block of Highway 101 in Gardiner. After arriving, deputies determined there were no crimes committed during the disturbance.

As deputies were preparing to leave, they learned information that a juvenile had previously reported to an adult that they had been the victim of sexual assault by 36-year-old Eric Thomas Cumming of Gardiner. Cumming is known to the victim.

Deputies began investigating and developed probable cause for the arrest of Cumming. He was taken into custody and transported to the Douglas County Jail where he was lodged on the following charges:

• Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree x10
• Sexual Abuse in the First Degree x10

Cumming remains in custody at the Douglas County Jail.

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CURRENT EVACUATION NOTICES

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - Evacuations remain in place for the Devil's Knob and Milepost 98 Fire, although the Sheriff's Office has instituted a number of downgrades this evening. The following is a summary of the current evacuation levels as of Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 8:00 pm. An interactive map reflecting these evacuation levels can be found online at: www.dcso.com/evacuations 

• LEVEL 3 "GO!":
  • No Level 3 evacuation notices exist. The previous Level 3 evacuation notices have been downgraded. 
     
• LEVEL 2 "BE SET":
  • All residences on Joe Hall Road, Tiller (Devil's Knob Fire)
  • All residences on Tison Road, Tiller (Devil's Knob Fire)
  • All residences on Elk Diamond Road, Tiller (Devil's Knob Fire)
  • All residences on Ritchie Road, Canyonville (Milepost 98 Fire)
     
• LEVEL 1 “BE READY”:
  • All residences on the East side of Tiller Trail Hwy between the 34000 block to 36760 block, Tiller (Devil's Knob Fire)
     
• CANCELLED EVACUATION NOTICES
  • All residential addresses on Canyon Creek Road, Canyonville (Milepost 98 Fire)

All residents who have been placed on any level of evacuation notice and those living in proximity of the fire should continue to monitor official sources for updated information. Any changes to these evacuation notices or danger levels will be communicated through official channels. 

CANYONVILLE, Ore., - This is a wildfire emergency alert from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. This is a DOWNGRADE of evacuation levels for all homes within the previously established evacuation zones for the Mile Post 98 fire in Canyonville.

DOWNGRADED to a Level 2 - BE SET for:

• The 100 to 7500 block of Ritchie Road to Canyon Creek Road.

DOWNGRADED from a Level 2 to a Level 1- BE READY notice for: 

• The 100 to 950 block of Canyon Creek Road.

Conditions may change so continue to monitor. Drive slowly through active response areas. For local information, visit www.dcso.com/evacuations

A Level 3 remains in place only for utility structures on upper Ash Creek Road. No residential homes on Ash Creek Rd are included in a level 3 at this time.

TILLER, Ore. - UPDATE AS OF 11:30 am 09/07/2024:

The east side of Tiller Trail Hwy 34000 to 36760 block has been DOWNGRADED from a Level 3 to a Level 1 – BE READY notice.

Following reassessment with Devil's Knob Fire teams this morning and the successful operations overnight these addresses are downgraded.

Remaining in a Level 3 at this time are Joe Hall, Tison Road, Diamond Elk Road.

Monitor conditions and drive slowly through active response areas.

View map at www.dcso.com/evacuations.

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PREVIOUSLY RELEASED INFORMATION:

This is a wildfire emergency alert from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. This is an UPGRADE from a Level 1 to a Level 3 – GO NOW! for the following areas: East side of Tiller Trail Hwy 34000 to 36760 block. Also, Tison Road, Diamond Elk Road, Joe Hall area.

Level 3 – GO NOW means leave without delay, it is unsafe to stay and threatens the safety of you, your family, and emergency responders.

Emergency services personnel may not be available to help you if you choose to stay.

• Do not stop to gather your belongings or protect your home. Follow your emergency plan.

• Leave as fast as safely possible. Drive carefully. Turn on your headlights. Follow traffic safety warnings and instructions from local authorities.
 

Use TripCheck.com (Road & Weather Conditions Map | TripCheck - Oregon Traveler Information) or call 511 for road closure information.

After you evacuate:

• Do not return to the area until public safety officials announce the area is safe. • Continue to check for updates through local city and county websites, social media, TV, and radio.

• An interactive wildfire evacuation map can be located at: www.dcso.com/evacuations

• Once you are safe, check with friends and family.

WINCHESTER BAY, Ore. - On Thursday, September 5, 2024, at approximately 2:00 p.m., 9-1-1 dispatchers received information regarding a boating accident in Winchester Bay. The United States Coast Guard had already been activated and was responding to the incident. 

As deputies were responding, the United States Coast Guard advised they located a separate overturned boat with subjects in the water. USGS personnel was able to rescue two subjects from the water, but a third individual was still outstanding. 

Deputies learned 63-year-old James McKeane of Medford had been fishing with his son, 36-year-old Kenneth McKeane of Central Point and a neighbor, 35-year-old Anthony Knight of Medford. After a few hours of ocean fishing, James McKeane was returning to the dock due to weather conditions in his 2020 18'6" Kingfisher. While progressing into the bay, a large wave crashed into the left side of the boat causing the boat to roll over. All three occupants went into the water without lifejackets. The vessel eventually capsized. 

James McKeane and Knight were rescued by USCG personnel. Lifesaving efforts were initiated on Knight who was unconscious. Both James and Knight were transported to Lower Umpqua Hospital for medical treatment. Efforts to revive Knight were unsuccessful. 

Kenneth McKeane was later located by USCG helicopter on the North Jetty and was airlifted from there to North Bend Hospital. 

As previously mentioned, there was an initial boating accident to which USCG and emergency services were dispatched. The individuals from that incident were located and were determined to be uninjured. No further information is available on that incident at this time. 

Both accidents remain under investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Marine Division working in coordination with the Oregon State Marine Board. 

TILLER, Ore. - This is a wildfire emergency alert from Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Level 1 BE READY to evacuate from the following areas: East side of Tiller Trail Hwy 34000 to 36760 block. Also Tison Road, Diamond Elk Road, Joe Hall area.

 Level 1 - BE READY to evacuate means:

Be aware of danger in your area and stay informed. Check local city and county websites, social media, TV, and radio for updates. View wildfire information map at www.dcso.com/evacuations

• Make plans and prepare to evacuate. Gather necessary supplies for health, safety, and identification.
• Act early if you are older, have children, disabilities, or limited access to transportation. Consider moving pets and livestock early.
• Plan possible evacuation routes. Use TripCheck.com or call 511 for road closure information.
   
• If you can do so safely, check with your neighbors and share information. Ask for help if you need it. Offer help if you can give it.

This may be the only notice you receive. Don’t wait to evacuate if you feel unsafe. If conditions change, you may receive a Level 2 - BE SET or Level 3 - GO NOW evacuation notice. You do not need to wait for another evacuation notice. Make the best decision for your safety.

An interactive wildfire evacuation map can be located at: www.dcso.com/evacuations

Evacuation Graphic

A wildfire has started near Milepost 98 on Interstate 5, which has resulted in the following evacuation notices. 

LEVEL 3 - GO NOW! Evacuate immediately is in effect for the following areas:

* All homes in the 100-7000 block of Ritchie Road, Canyonville.

Level 3 - GO NOW means Leave Immediately!

There is extreme danger in your area - evacuate now. Leave without delay, it is unsafe to stay and threatens the safety of you, your family, and emergency responders. Your life could be in great danger. Emergency services personnel may not be available to help you if you choose to stay.

• Do not stop to gather your belongings or protect your home. Follow your emergency plan.

• Leave as fast as safely possible. Drive carefully. Turn on your headlights. Follow traffic safety warnings and instructions from local authorities.

• Use TripCheck.com or call 511 for road closure information.

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LEVEL 2 - BE SET to evacuate from the following areas:

* All homes in the 100-950 block of Canyon Creek Road, Canyonville

Level 2 - BE SET to evacuate means:

• There is significant danger in your area - be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

• Time to act - follow your emergency plan. Grab your go-kit of essential supplies for health, safety, and identification.

An interactive evacuation map can be found at ww.dcso.com/evacuations

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - Scammers are posing as officials from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) in an effort to scam community members out of money. Deputies have once again begun receiving reports from people contacted by phone by individuals posing as DCSO employees. 

The scammer will tell the intended victim they have missed some court appearance, failed to appear for jury duty, they owe fines or have a warrant for their arrest and eventually demands payment. The victim is often directed to immediately make payment or they face consequences including arrest. These are tactics that are never utilized by legitimate law enforcement agencies. 

It is critically important for our community to be aware of these tactics and to share them with their friends and family members, especially those who may be vulnerable to falling victim to the scams, such as the elderly members of the community. However, we also wish to remind the community not to focus too much on specific scam tactics; scammers often change their methods over time:

• Scammers can easily obtain new phone numbers and will change them often.
• Scammers may use “spoof” programs to make the Caller ID show an agency’s actual phone number.  
• Scammers may use the names of actual DCSO employees to make the call seem legitimate.  
• Scammers may obtain personal information about a victim online including their name, address, phone number, and the names of others in the home. 
• Scammers may initially contact victims by mail, email, or through social media.

Due to the technology used in the scam – and the fact that scammers can be located anywhere in the world – it is virtually impossible to track the scammers or to get money back.

“If anyone has any question about a possible scam call, they should call dispatch at (541) 440-4471 and ask to speak to a deputy,” said Lieutenant Brad O'Dell.  “The most important thing is to not send any money or agree to meet someone to make payment.”

LASD Flyer

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - On Friday, August 30, 2024, at 1:30 p.m., Douglas County Deputies received information from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department that a kidnapping suspect's phone was near the Love's Travel Stop in the Green District.

Detectives from Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office indicated that 53-year-old David James and 39-year-old Tiffany Bryant had taken their children, ages 4 and 2, from a supervised visit and fled with them against child custody orders on August 14, 2024. The pair were believed to be in a brown Buick Enclave SUV and both had active warrants out of California for Kidnapping. A California Amber Alert had been issued for the children but had not been activated in Oregon.

Douglas County Deputies, along with multiple other agencies, began searching. Approximately 1 hour later at 2:29 p.m., a Deputy located the vehicle at the 103 Chevron in Tri-City which was unoccupied. They located David James inside of the Chevron and took him into custody.

During an interview with Detectives, James agreed to show law enforcement where Bryant and the children were and took them to a camp approximately 12 miles out Cow Creek Road. Once on scene, deputies located the children in the company of Bryant who was taken into custody. The Oregon Department of Human Services - Child Welfare Division was contacted and took custody of the children.

James and Bryant were lodged at the Douglas County Jail on the Kidnapping warrants out of California. Douglas County Detectives continue to assist the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department with the investigation.

Assisting agencies included the Oregon State Police, Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team, Myrtle Creek Police Department and Oregon Department of Human Services – Child Welfare.

ROSEBURG, Ore. - On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, shortly before the end of the business day, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office investigated a reported threat at the Douglas County Courthouse and Justice Building Complex. 

Out of an abundance of caution and in coordination with County Officials, the Courthouse and Justice Buildings were closed early, and all occupants were sent home for the day. 

The incident has since been determined to not be credible and remains under further investigation. 

The Courthouse and Justice Building complex will re-open tomorrow, Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at its normal time and all business will resume as normal. 

No further information will be released at this time. 

UPDATE 08/23/2024 5:30 PM

DIAMOND LAKE, Ore. - On Friday, August 23, 2024, the body of Chimanbai Patel was located at Diamond Lake. 

At 7:43 a.m., 9-1-1 dispatchers received information from a member of the public they had been walking their dog on the west side of the lake when they observed the body in water. Marine Deputies, who were already on their way to continue searching for Patel responded to the scene. Upon their arrival, deputies recovered the body and confirmed it to be Patel. 

The Douglas County Medical Examiner's Office responded and began a death investigation. Currently, there are no indications of foul play.

Patel's family was notified of the recovery. 

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office would like to thank the Klamath County Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police, Diamond Lake Resort, United States Forest Service, Douglas County Search and Rescue, Douglas County Dive Team and all of the community members who assisted in the search. 

UPDATE 08/19/2024 9:00 PM 

DIAMOND LAKE, Ore. - Search efforts continued today in the search for a man who drowned at Diamond Lake on Saturday. 

For the past two days, deputies have searched for signs of the victim, 37-year-old Chimanbai Patel of Bend, Oregon without success. On Saturday, August 17, 2024, at approximately 5:38 pm, 9-1-1 dispatchers received a report that Patel had been on a pontoon boat with friends at Diamond Lake when he jumped into the water to swim. Shortly after entering the water Patel went under and never resurfaced. 

Deputies have enlisted the assistance of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Dive Team, Douglas County Search and Rescue, Klamath County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue, and Oregon State Police. Today, a dog trained in water recovery was deployed on the lake with searchers. At this time, Patel remains missing.

“This is a tragedy for his friends and family,” Lt. Brad O'Dell said. “We have been in communication with his family and will continue efforts to locate him so he can be returned to his loved ones. We are very grateful to our partner agencies who have been assisting us in our search.”  

ORIGINAL RELEASE 08/18/2024 10:00 AM

DIAMOND LAKE, Ore. - The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is continuing a search for a man who drowned at Diamond Lake Saturday evening. 

On Saturday, August 17, 2024, at approximately 5:38 pm, 9-1-1 dispatchers received a report of a man who had been on a pontoon boat with friends at Diamond Lake when he jumped into the water to swim. Shortly after entering the water the victim went under and never resurfaced. 

Marine Deputies, along with a rescue crew from Central Douglas Fire & Rescue and an ambulance from Umpqua Valley responded to the scene. Along with volunteers from the Diamond Lake Resort, crews searched unsuccessfully until dark. The 37-year-old, whose name is being withheld pending next of kin notification, is presumed drowned.

Today, searchers have returned to Diamond Lake to resume recovery efforts. Resources from Douglas County Marine Patrol, Douglas County Dive Team, Douglas County Search and Rescue, Klamath County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue, and Oregon State Police are on scene. 

Evacuation Notice Cancelled Graphic

DIAMOND LAKE, Ore. - Effective at 9:00 am on Friday, August 23, 2024, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, working in partnership with fire managers, has cancelled the last remaining evacuation notice for the Potter Fire which is managed by the Diamond Complex. The cancelation was facilitated by fire suppression efforts. As a result of the cancellation, there are no current evacuation notices anywhere in Douglas County. 

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