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Merlin told to be ready to evacuate By Vickie Aldous Updated: Aug 28, 2022 10:07 PM A A A fire truck drives past flames and sparks from the Rum Creek Fire burning northwest of Grants Pass. Photo courtesy of Illinois Valley Fire District Evacuation alerts widen for Rum Creek Fire All of Merlin was under a “Level 1 - Be Ready” evacuation alert Sunday evening as the Rum Creek Fire continued to burn northwest of Merlin and Grants Pass in Josephine County. The “Level 1 - Be Ready” alert reached halfway from Merlin to Grants Pass as of 8:30 p.m. Sunday. For evacuation updates, including maps, see www.facebook.com/josephinecountyEM . Under “Level 1” residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area and monitor emergency services websites. Have your evacuation plan and go-kit ready. Act early if you, your loved ones and animals can’t move quickly or need extra time to evacuate. The “Level 1 - Be Ready” zone stretched Sunday evening from just east of Merlin to I-5 west of Merlin and included the community of Hugo and areas southeast and southwest of Robertson Bridge. A “Level 3 - Go” evacuation alert remains in effect starting from the Rogue River near the Rainie Falls trail and Rand area south past Galice. There is extreme danger in the area and residents should leave immediately without delay if they haven’t left already. Do not stop to gather belongings or protect your home. Do not return until officials say it’s safe to do so. The area sandwiched between the “Level 1” and Level 3“ zones is under a ”Level 2 - Be Ready.“ There is significant danger in the ”Level 2“ area and residents should be set to evacuate with their go-kit at a moment’s notice. Monitor for updates. Conditions may change rapidly. Leave if you feel unsafe. The Rum Creek Fire was last listed at 8,404 acres as of Sunday morning. The acreage of the fire and mapping of the fire’s footprint had not been updated as of 9 p.m. Sunday. The next official update on the fire’s size is expected Monday morning. From Saturday morning to Sunday morning, the Rum Creek Fire doubled in size. At 9:40 p.m. Sunday night, Josephine County Emergency Management posted a video update to its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/josephinecountyEM . The video was recorded Sunday afternoon with a message from Brian Gales, incident commander for Northwest Incident Management Team 13, which is managing the fire with the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office. Gales said the fire is under attack by air and on the ground. “We’re all working 24/7 to protect communities. Due to fire progression, recent fire assessments, weather patterns, future heat and weather predictions, fire growth is expected to continue,” he said. “Considering all these factors, we are asking for your communities to follow the recommended evacuation levels for your safety.” Hot, dry weather and dried out late summer fuels are causing heightened fire danger, which is already at extreme levels. The National Weather Service predicts temperatures in the Grants Pass area will reach 99 degrees Monday, 101 degrees Tuesday, 98 degrees Wednesday, 96 degrees Thursday and 92 degrees Friday. Highs will return to the mid-90s on the weekend. To sign up for Citizen Alert to receive emergency phone calls, texts or emails, visit rvem.org/Citizen-Alert . As of Sunday night, the BLM had closed its land in the fire area to the public for all uses, including hiking, hunting and camping. The area covers land both north and south of the Rogue River as it flows from the Grave Creek bridge west toward Rainie Falls and continuing downstream to the west. To view a map of the closure area, visit www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions . Josephine County closed recreation sites along the Rogue River including Hog Creek County Park, Indian Mary Park and Campground, Ennis Riffle County Park and Almeda County Park and Campground.