UPDATE – Tuesday, 9/15

September 15, 2020

Shady Cove evacuation level has been downgraded to Level 2 – Get Set and roadblocks have been lifted.  This means that we need to be ready to leave quickly if the situation worsens.  Items that we should keep packed include some clothing, our medicines, communications devices, important documents, and cash.

Fire Chief Winfrey reminds us that “we are not out of the woods.”  Everyone needs to be signed up for Jackson County Citizen Alert to get notification of emergency situations when they occur.  If you are not yet registered, please go to and complete the simple registration.

The South Obenchain Fire is only 20% contained and crews are still mopping up and monitoring fire lines. Poor visibility because of dense smoke is keeping air support grounded.

Air quality is hazardous so protect yourself by staying indoors as much as possible and wear masks for both smoke and COVID-19 protection whenever you are out of doors.  The National Weather Service is forecasting an 80% chance of rain by Friday and that should bring some relief from the smoke.

Those of us who have returned home to Shady Cove found a layer of ash and dense smoke but no actual property damage.  We are among the truly fortunate people during this time of extreme emergency.  If you want to make donations to victims of the fires in Southern Oregon, you may contact Access at accesshelps.org.  Their website includes opportunities to donate as well as information sources and other agencies organizing emergency relief.

Mayor Lena Richardson