Medford in the Rogue Valley was the largest city affected by the catastrophic Almeda Fire on September 8 2020 which destroyed the neighboring communities of Talent and Phoenix in hours. The fire spread through suburban neighborhoods driven by powerful east winds — demonstrating that urban areas are not immune to catastrophic wildfire. The Rogue River creates flooding risk and Medford's bowl-shaped valley can trap smoke during wildfire season creating severe air quality emergencies.
// Preparedness Recommendations
- Evacuation routes inland should be identified in advance.
- Store at least 72 hours of food and water.
- Elevate critical belongings above flood level.
- Have backup power ready in case of grid failure.
// Recommended Supplies
Essential gear for power outages, severe weather, and emergency situations in your area.
- Emergency Food Supplies
- Water Filtration & Storage
- Backup Generator
- Solar Backup Power
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// Risk Intelligence
| Threat Score | 7 / 10 High |
| Primary Hazard | Wildfire / Flooding |
| FEMA Flood Zone | Zone X (Wildfire Risk) |
| County FEMA Declarations | 34 |
| Last Major Event | Almeda Fire (2020) |
// Emergency Information
| Emergency Phone | (541) 774-2000 |
| Evacuation Routes | I-5 North, I-5 South, OR-62 North, OR-140 East |
| Elevation | 1373 ft above sea level |
// County Risk Profile
Jackson County OR
Oregon · Wildfire / Flooding
View full county emergency preparedness profile →
7/10
High Risk