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State Fire Marshal to take ‘unified command’ of Rum Creek Fire By Kevin Opsahl Updated: Aug 27, 2022 09:39 AM A A The Rum Creek Fire in Josephine County continues to burn, prompting Gov. Kate Brown to invoke state fire marshal resources. [Josephine County Emergency Management] The decision from Gov. Kate Brown comes as the fire grew to 4,700 acres overnight The state Fire Marshal will take control of Josephine County’s growing Rum Creek Fire now that Gov. Kate Brown has invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act. The chief executive made the decision last night, according to a news release from her office issued Saturday morning. Since that time, the fire, caused by lighting, “significantly increased” from 4,300 acres to 4,700, according to the statement. Evacuation orders have already been made by the county sheriff’s office. However, aerial reconnaissance this morning confirmed no structures or homes have been lost. "The Rum Creek Fire grew rapidly overnight, requiring additional resources to battle the fire and support the state's response,“ Brown said in a prepared statement. "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.” The Emergency Conflagration Act is disaster response legislation that is tiers lower than a more commonly known presidential emergency declaration from the federal government. In invoking the Act, Brown determined the Rum Creek Fire poses “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” — which is why the state fire marshal is coming in with further resources to battle the blaze. “The (Oregon State Fire Marshal) Blue Incident Management Team will be briefed and will assume unified command with (Oregon Department of Forestry) and federal partners,” the governor’s news release said. “OSFM will bring in four additional task forces through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System from Douglas, Linn, Clackamas, and Lincoln Counties to assist in the response.” Reach reporter Kevin Opsahl at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @KevJourno.