June 17, 2026

Good morning Douglas County! Here are today's updates live from the Roseburg Receiver Communications Center.

Fire Weather Forecast for southern Oregon and northern California National Weather Service Medford, OR | 307 AM PDT Wed Jun 17 2026

Above normal temperatures will continue this week, peaking Thursday. A weak marine push will bring improving recoveries this morning along with a slight cool down today. Dry and unstable conditions are expected on Thursday as a thermal trough pushes inland. Meanwhile, a thunderstorm pattern develops Thursday-Saturday, with activity peaking on Friday and focused across northern California and east of the Cascades.

ROSEBURG, Ore. — A fast-moving natural cover fire burned 27 acres Tuesday afternoon in the 2400 block of NE Diamond Lake Boulevard before firefighters were able to stop its spread.

The fire was reported at 12:40 p.m. on June 16. Crews from the Roseburg Fire Department, Douglas Forest Protective Association and Central Douglas Fire & Rescue responded to the area, which is a vacant lot previously known as the old Champion Mill site.

Firefighters arrived to find about four acres of dry vegetation burning. Officials said the fire was wind-driven and spreading quickly. It eventually grew to 27 acres before forward spread was stopped.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the fire was 100% lined and 100% plumbed. Crews were expected to remain on scene through the afternoon and into the evening for mop-up work.

Officials said the fire did not threaten homes or other structures. Firefighters were able to keep it from spreading to nearby residential and commercial areas.

A dozer from DFPA and another dozer from Sierra Pacific Industries helped build fire line around the full perimeter of the fire.

Roseburg Fire Department responded with eight firefighters, two chief officers, two Type 6 wildland engines, three Type 1 engines, two fire investigators and two incident command vehicles.

Central Douglas Fire & Rescue provided a chief officer, 10 firefighters, four Type 6 wildland engines and a water tender. DFPA responded with two Type 6 wildland engines, one Type 3 engine, a dozer, a Cessna airplane, firefighters and overhead command staff.

Officials said the fire was caused by a commercial mower doing regular maintenance on the property.

The Roseburg Fire Department, DFPA and Central Douglas Fire & Rescue are reminding the public that fire danger is currently moderate across Douglas County and that people should follow all current fire restrictions.

Other assisting agencies included the Roseburg Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Avista Utilities, Pacific Power and landowner resources.

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — A Roseburg-based group helping build a new emergency shelter village in Grants Pass has reached one of its biggest milestones yet.

Bernie Woodard of Elk Island Trading Group said Monday that the City of Grants Pass Building Department approved occupancy for Phase One of Parker’s Place Village, a shelter project designed to move people from outdoor camping into managed shelter with rules, services and support.

Phase One includes 20 rooms with two beds in each room, creating space for 40 people.

Woodard said 12 rooms on one side of the village will provide 24 beds. The other side includes six ADA units with 12 beds for people with physical disabilities, plus two additional regular units with two beds each.

The rooms are semi-private sleeping spaces. The first phase also includes portable toilets and a wash station. Woodard said 24 of the beds already have electrical access, with additional electrical work depending on the project budget.

“We will start looking through the over 120 applications tomorrow and start scheduling them in over the next week,” Woodard said.

Because some rooms already have electricity, Woodard said medically fragile applicants may be among the first considered, but he said he plans to discuss placement with MINT (Mobile Integrative Navigation Team) to make the best choices.

The project follows what Woodard has described as a “Safe Beds First” model. The idea is to get people indoors first, then work with them on next steps while maintaining rules for the village.

Woodard said residents will receive a rule booklet similar to Rogue Retreat’s manual. Expectations will include keeping the units clean, no hoarding, no drugs or alcohol, and getting along with others.

The stay model is still being finalized, but Woodard said it could involve 29-day contracts approved one day at a time, with a possible six-month total stay period while residents work toward the next level of housing or support.

The Grants Pass shelter project has also been closely tied to the city’s effort to transition away from unmanaged camping areas. As beds open at Parker’s Place Village, the city is expected to begin reducing capacity at its downtown camping sites and moving people into a more structured shelter setting.

The project also has a Douglas County connection. Elk Island Trading Group is based in Roseburg, and Woodard has been involved in managed homeless camps and alternative shelter work locally before taking on the Grants Pass project.

Woodard said he believes Roseburg could use a similar model.

“Roseburg can do this same thing so that the homeless are taken care of properly and the community gets its parks and public areas back,” Woodard said.

Parker’s Place Village is being built in phases. Phase Two is expected to add another 44 beds, with Woodard previously saying the team is hoping for approval as early as next week.

If completed on schedule, the full project could provide approximately 150 beds for people who are currently living in tents or other unstable situations.

Woodard said the Phase One approval came after 96 straight days of site work, including 23 days before permits and 73 days after permits.

There is still more work ahead, but the approval marks the first major step toward opening beds at the village.

“Onward to Phase Two,” Woodard wrote.

More images can be found on yesterday's article.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Pacific Power says it is preparing its system for an active wildfire season across the Pacific Northwest, and customers may see longer or more frequent outages in some high-risk areas as safety measures are used to reduce fire danger.

In a news release issued Tuesday, the utility said dry conditions across the region have increased concern heading into summer. Pacific Power pointed to outlooks from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center and the National Interagency Fire Center, which indicate warmer and drier than normal conditions are expected in many areas.

As part of its wildfire prevention work, Pacific Power said it is using enhanced safety settings and protective equipment designed to automatically shut off power when lines come into contact with debris, wildlife or strong winds.

The company said it may also temporarily de-energize power lines during periods of extreme risk. Those shutoffs are intended to reduce the chance of a wildfire starting or to help limit the spread of an active fire, but they can also mean outages for customers.

“We are preparing for an active wildfire season across our service area and taking proactive steps to reduce risk,” said Carrie Laird, Pacific Power’s vice president of wildfire mitigation and emergency operations.

Pacific Power said it monitors weather and wildfire conditions using more than 350 weather stations and other tools across its service territory. The utility is encouraging customers to make sure their contact information is current so they can receive outage notifications.

Customers are also encouraged to review backup power options, prepare emergency kits and have a plan in place before fire danger increases further this summer.

ROSEBURG, Ore. — Roseburg Schools and the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians are expanding their partnership with new investments in student opportunities, Tribal language education and support for Native students and families.

The Roseburg School Board approved the expanded partnership on June 10.

The agreement includes a $500,000 commitment from the Tribe over the next 10 years to support improvements and ongoing maintenance at the Roseburg High School Sports Complex. The funding will help with athletic facility improvements, along with student learning opportunities tied to the complex.

Roseburg Schools Superintendent Jared Cordon said the district is grateful for the Tribe’s continued support.

“The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians has been an extraordinary partner to our schools, our students and our community,” Cordon said. “These efforts demonstrate what is possible when we work together with mutual respect and a shared vision for the future.”

The partnership also includes a new Takelma language proficiency pathway. Through the program, students will be able to earn high school world language credit by demonstrating proficiency in Takelma, the ancestral language of the Tribe. Students who meet the required standards may also qualify for Oregon’s State Seal of Biliteracy.

Tribal leaders said the language program is part of a broader effort to support education while helping preserve and revitalize Tribal culture.

“One of the pillars by which the Cow Creek Umpqua Tribe makes decisions for our next seven generations is the idea that educational pathways create healthy, independent and fulfilling lives,” Cow Creek Umpqua Chairman Carla Keene said.

Keene said local students are the future of the community, and that Roseburg Schools has played an important role in helping prepare young people for success.

“Partnering with Roseburg Schools on these initiatives and learning from their leadership will be a transformational step forward for our youth,” Keene said.

Roseburg Schools and the Tribe are also continuing their work through Oregon’s Tribal Attendance Promising Practices program, known as TAPP. Roseburg Schools is one of nine districts in the state selected for the program.

TAPP focuses on improving attendance, strengthening relationships between schools and Tribal families, and creating culturally responsive support systems for Native students. The program is built around cooperation between school districts and Tribal governments, with the goal of removing barriers to attendance and helping students stay connected at school.

District officials said the expanded partnership reflects a shared commitment to students, families, cultural preservation and future generations in the Roseburg community.

SALEM, Ore. — A campaign seeking to repeal Oregon’s expanded waterway access permit requirement has turned in its first batch of signatures, but organizers still have a long way to go before the measure can qualify for the November ballot.

The “Let Us Paddle” measure would repeal the expanded law that now requires most operators of non-motorized boats to carry a Waterway Access Permit while using Oregon waters. The expansion took effect in 2026 and brought smaller non-motorized boats under 10 feet into the permit system, including kayaks, rafts and stand-up paddleboards.

Under current rules, youth 13 and younger do not need a permit. A one-year permit costs $20 through the Oregon State Marine Board’s Boat Oregon Store, with short-term and two-year options also available.

Organizers said Monday they have submitted 12,924 signatures to the Oregon Secretary of State and have another 15,000 signatures on hand to be submitted. That still leaves the effort about 90,000 signatures short of the 117,173 valid signatures needed by the July 2 deadline to qualify for the November ballot.

Let Us Paddle PAC chief co-petitioner Benjamin Roche said those totals do not include additional signature sheets still being sent in by circulators. The PAC is asking circulators to send in completed sheets no later than Friday, June 19.

Petition campaigns typically collect more signatures than the minimum required because some are often rejected during the state verification process.

Supporters of the repeal effort argue the expanded permit requirement adds an unnecessary cost for people using low-impact, human-powered watercraft. Let Us Paddle has described the requirement as a barrier to public access for kayakers, paddleboarders, rafters and other recreational users.

State boating officials say the Waterway Access Permit helps fund boating access improvements and aquatic invasive species prevention efforts. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says funds are used for projects such as boat ramps, restrooms and efforts to stop invasive species from spreading into Oregon waters.

Signing locations listed by the campaign can be found at:
https://www.letuspaddle.com/signing-locations

For Douglas County, the signing locations are listed below:

DOUGLAS COUNTY LOCATIONS

• Umpqua’s Last Resort
  115 Elk Ridge Lane
  Idleyld Park, OR 97447
  Located off North Umpqua Highway
• Dry Creek Store
  16 Happy Creek Lane
  Idleyld Park, OR 97447
• River Forks Market
  4342 Garden Valley Road
  Roseburg, OR 97471
  Conveniently located inside a convenience store!
• Waldron’s Outdoor Sports
  450 NE Stephens Street
  Roseburg, OR 97470
  • Hours:
    Monday–Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

More information about Oregon’s Waterway Access Permit is available through the Oregon State Marine Board:
https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/boater-info/pages/ais-faqs.aspx

WINSTON, Ore. — Fire crews responded Tuesday morning to a reported possible natural cover fire in the 14000 block of Lookingglass Road near Winston.

Central Douglas Fire & Rescue said crews were called to the area at 8:34 a.m. on June 16. When the first engine arrived, firefighters found a gazebo fully involved in flames, with the fire spreading into nearby trees.

Crews were able to quickly contain the fire and keep it from moving up the nearby hillside.

The cause of the fire was listed as undetermined.

Central Douglas Fire & Rescue responded with one structural fire engine, one brush unit and two command vehicles. Fire crews were assisted at the scene by the Winston Police Department and Oregon State Police.

REEDSPORT, Ore. — Free summer meals are available for kids in Reedsport this summer, with meal service running Monday through Friday through Aug. 14.

Meals are available to children preschool age through 18 through Reedsport School District Child Nutrition Services.

Highland Elementary School

• Breakfast: 8:00–8:15 a.m.
• Lunch: 11:00–11:30 a.m.
• Weekend meals, Fridays only: 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Lunch sites

• Forest Village Apartments: 11:30–11:45 a.m.
• Philip Boe Park: 12:00–12:15 p.m.
• Ridin’ Dirty Rentals: 12:15–12:30 p.m.
• Riverview Manor Apartments: 12:45–1:00 p.m.
• Henderson Park: 11:00–11:15 a.m.
• Lower Umpqua Library: 11:15–11:30 a.m.
• Holly Knolls MHP: 11:30–11:45 a.m.
• Oregon Coast Art School: 12:00–12:15 p.m.
• Champion Dog Park: 12:30–12:45 p.m.
• Lions Park / Skate Park: 1:00–1:15 p.m.

For more information, families can contact Reedsport School District Child Nutrition Services at 541-271-9110 or visit the district’s food services website for daily breakfast and lunch menus.

Limited Time Events

• Guest Artist Dave Hall Exhibit @ Gallery Northwest | May 3nd - June 30th | Every week Tue - Sat | 11 am - 4 pm | Link
• Wellness Walk | Every Saturday Through September | 9am at the Thrive Umpqua office in Roseburg (556 SE Jackson)
• The Cuckoo Clock @ Umpqua Actors Community Theatre (UACT) | June 4th - June 21st | Link
• Seven Feathers’ Wine Trolley Tour | June 6 - September 27 | Link
• 2026 Summerfest @ Roseburg Cinema | June 15 - August 20th | Link
• Oregon Chainsaw Carving Championship | June 18 - 21 | Reedsport | Thu - Sat 8am - 7pm, Sun 8am - 5:30 pm | 313 Rainbow Plaza
• Rock and Gem Show and Sale | June 19 - 21 | Reedsport | Fri - Sat 10 am - 5 pm, Sun 10 am - 4 pm | Reedsport Community Center
• Coastal Photographic Art Expo | June 19 - 25 | Reedsport | Mindpower Gallery | 10 am - 5 pm | Link
• Summer MELODRAMA in the Park - Oakland | Free Event | 19,20,26,27 at 7 pm & 21m28 at 2 pm | Link

Monday, June 15th

• DJ Trivia Night @ Workman's Bar & Smokehouse | 7 pm
• Open Mic Night @ Little Brothers Pub | 6 - 8 pm
• Celebrate Recovery | Westside Christian Church | Dinner at 5:30, Large group at 6:30.
• Monday Night Auxiliary Bingo | Winston VFW | 4:30 pm | must have papers by 5:30, $17 for all games.

Tuesday, June 16th

• Bingo @ Roseburg Elks Lodge #326 | 6:30 pm
• DJ Bingo @ Workman's Bar and Smokehouse | 6 pm
• DJ Trivia @ Urban NY Pizza & Grill | 7 pm
• Free Line Dancing Lessons - Elements Lounge @ Seven Feathers Casino Resort | Every week on Tuesday | 7 - 9 pm | Link
• Open Mic Night @ Kodiak Bar & Grill | Every week on Tuesday @ 6 - 8 pm
• Tuesdays! Free Line Dancing Lessons at Elements Lounge in Seven Feathers Casino Resort | 7 - 9 pm | Link
• Celebrate Recovery | Winston Assembly of God | Dinner at 5:30, Large group at 6:30.
• Live Music: Flashbak @ Melrose Vineyards | 6 - 8 pm | Link

Wednesday, June 17th

• DJ Trivia @ Backside Brewing Co. | 6 - 7:30 pm
• Karaoke/Open Mic Night @ Idle Hour Tavern | 9 pm - 12:30 am
• Open Mic at Brix | Every Wednesday | 6 - 8 pm
• Trivia Night @​ Lookingglass Brewery | 6 - 9 pm
• Trivia Night @​ Little Brothers Pub | 6 pm
• Bingo @ Roseburg Senior Center | (Every Wed and Fri) - Doors Open at 5 pm, starts at 6:30 pm. Food available. Ages 7+. $1 for non-members.
• Celebrate Recovery | Redeemers (Old movie theater) | Dinner at 5:30, Large group at 6:30.
• Wednesday Night Karaoke with Mr. Michael | Winston VFW | 5 - 9 pm| 21+
• Group Meet - Knitting of Any Kind | Studio Arts Connection (1350 NE Stephens, Roseburg) | 1 - 3:30 pm | Knitting, crochet, hand quilting felting spinning, etc
• Canyonville Farmer's Market | Wednesdays from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm at Seven Feathers Casino Parking Lot | May - October
• Watershed Wednesdays @ The Umpqua Watersheds Clubhouse (533 SE Main St) | 4 - 6 pm
• Live Music: Dylan James @ Two Shy Brewing | 6 - 8 pm | Link
• T. Bone Stone's Old School Blues Jam @ The Rosebud Theatre | 6 pm | Link

Thursday, June 18th

• DJ Trivia @ North Forty Beer Company | 7 - 8:30 pm
• Kick Up the Dust - Line Dancing Lessons @ Workman's Bar & Smokehouse | 7 - 8 pm
• Karaoke Night at Kodiak | Every Thursday and Saturday | 8 pm
• DJ Bingo @ Brix Bar & Grill | 7 - 9 pm
• Thirsty Thursday Cornhole Night @ Lookingglass Brewery | Every week on Thursday | 6 - 8 pm | Link
• Al-Anon Meeting in Oakland (Weekly) | Oakland Ice House - 212 Lucust St | 2 - 3 PM
• Riddle City Library Summer Reading Program |  Get ready to Bee Amazed with the Museum of Natural and Cultural History, and learn all about our favorite pollinators! | 1 pm
• Live Music: The Mother Smuckers, w/ Jenna & The Smuckers @​ The Rosebud Theatre | 6 pm

Friday, June 19th

• Friday Pizzas! @ Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards | 12 - 4 pm
• Karaoke Night @ Winchester Pub & Grill | 8 - 11 pm
• Karaoke Night @ Workman's Bar and Smokehouse | 9 pm - 12 am
• Bingo @ Roseburg Senior Center | (Every Wed and Fri) - Doors Open at 5 pm, starts at 6:30 pm. Food available. Ages 7+. $1 for non-members.
• Karaoke Night at Kodiak | Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday | 8 pm
• Friday Night Live Music | Winston VFW
• Group Meet - Open Painting Watercolor and Small Acrylic | Studio Arts Connection (1350 NE Stephens, Roseburg) | 1 - 3:30 PM
• Movies in the Park @ Nichols Bandshell - Stewart Park | 8 - 11 pm | Link
• Sushi Class @ Melrose Vineyards | 5:30 pm | Link
• Canyonville Main Street Sip and Stroll | 302 S Main St | 5:30 - 7:30 pm
• Live Music: Jackrat, w/ The’Lectrics @​ The Rosebud Theatre |
  6 pm
• Late Night Jazz: Tommy Whiteside’s Quardless Chortet @​ The Rosebud Theatre | 10:30 pm

Saturday, June 20th

• Umpqua Valley Farmers Market | 9 am - 1 pm | SE Jackson St | Link
• Roseburg Saturday Farmers Market | 2525 W Harvard Ave | 9 am - 2:30 pm | Link
• Karaoke Night @​ Brix Bar & Grill | (Every Saturday) @ 7 - 10 pm
• Karaoke Night @ Lookingglass Brewery | 6 - 8 pm | Link
• Karaoke Night at Kodiak | Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday | 8 pm
• Saturday Night Karaoke with DJ Dan | Winston VFW | 5 - 9 pm | 21+
• Fables & Fireflies Fantasy Ball | 5 - 10 pm | Link
• Live Music: Kacie Corrine @ Two Shy Brewing | 6:30 - 6:30 pm | Link
• Live Music: Lonestar @ Seven Feathers Casino Resort | 7:30 - 9 pm | Link
• Blooms and Butterflies 5K Run/Walk | Elkton Community Education Center | Link
• Glide Sasquatch Festival | 10 am - 10 pm | 20940 Hwy 138, Glide | Link
• Umpqua Woofstock Festival for Dogs and People | Central Park, Sutherlin
• Myrtle Creek / Tri City-Wide Yard Sale
• South Douglas Rodeo | June 21 & 22 | Tri City Horsemen Arena, Myrtle Creek | Link
• Live Music: Borrowed Time @​ Lookingglass Brewery | 6 pm
• SafeHaven/Blessing Bags POP - UP Event | 10 am - 2 pm | In the parking lot of SafeHaven office, 445 NE Chestnut St. | Everything's FREE- Baby clothes, kid's clothes, adult clothes, shoes, toys, baby equipment.  Please bring your own bags! | Link

Sunday, June 21st

• DJ Trivia Night @ Brix Bar and Grill | Every Sunday | 6 - 8 pm
• Live Music: Wild at Heart Band @ Melrose Vineyards | 3 - 5 pm | Link

• We now have 21,278 Facebook group members!! Thank you all so much for being here!
• There is now an opportunity to advertise your local business with The Roseburg Receiver! If your company is interested, please email info@theroseburgreceiver.com. Your ad will be featured in The Roseburg Scoop emails, videos, website, and much more.
• Project Skywatch is now fully funded and installation is underway! Find out more about this project at https://www.theroseburgreceiver.com/project-skywatch/
• Kyle Casteel joins The Roseburg Receiver and The Roseburg Plug serving as a marketing and business development consultant. Kyle will be helping both organizations continue growing, strengthening community partnerships, building new opportunities and supporting the long-term vision behind the work we are doing in Roseburg and Douglas County.

The Roseburg Receiver is powered by the community. If you have local news, helpful information, an incident update, or an upcoming event to share, please email us at info@theroseburgreceiver.com so others can stay informed.

Two quick reminders:

• Protect privacy: For public safety or incident-related posts, please do not share personal or identifying information (names, addresses, license plates, etc.). Event posts, community announcements, and press releases may include names when appropriate.
• Safety first: Never post while driving

Want to contribute more regularly or become an author on theroseburgreceiver.com?
Email: community@theroseburgreceiver.com

That is the scoop for this Wednesday morning. Have a great day!

- The Roseburg Receiver Team