Three days after the Board Shanty Fire scorched over 400 acres in southern Josephine County, residents reflected on the chaos and uncertainty that accompanied the fast-moving blaze. Although the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) took charge of firefighting efforts and the Sheriff’s Office oversaw evacuations, many in the community were left unsure of where to turn for timely and accurate updates. Much of the confusion centered on the county’s Emergency Management department, whose presence and communication during the crisis appeared limited or unclear.
Initial criticism focused on the apparent silence from Emergency Management Director Michael Sellers. For more than 24 hours, the department’s webpage listed no active fires, and many residents reported receiving no alerts through the county’s emergency notification system. Some turned to social media to express frustration and concern over the perceived failure in leadership and communication.
However, newly provided information has clarified certain aspects of the county’s emergency alert process. According to a source familiar with the system, four alerts were indeed sent through Everbridge, the county’s official emergency alert platform. These alerts were posted on the Citizen Alert – Notifications page and are typically initiated by the Sheriff’s Office and executed by Emergency Management. The messages are pre-formatted to show they originate from the Sheriff, who holds legal authority over evacuations in Oregon.
The system, it appears, was technically used—though possibly not in the comprehensive or highly visible manner the public expected. Residents not already enrolled in the Everbridge platform may have missed the notifications, especially given the county’s redirection to third-party platforms such as Watch Duty and ProtectGenasys.com, which created additional confusion.
Furthermore, clarification was offered regarding door-to-door notifications. Law enforcement officers conducting in-person evacuation notices is standard protocol for Level 2 and Level 3 events. While multiple residents left the area under threat, one local resident who monitored emergency radio traffic believes that no official Level 3 order was formally issued for this fire. The Sheriff’s Office typically attempts face-to-face notification for such evacuations, even when alerts have been sent electronically, which may explain the reliance on deputies going door to door during the crisis.
The county’s Emergency Management department includes two additional full-time staff: Jason Allemand, who oversees day-to-day operations, and Mike McLaughlin, a former Applegate Fire Chief now serving as the county’s FireWise coordinator. Budget documents confirm significant public investment in the department, with emergency management funding climbing substantially in recent years. The department’s stated goals in official materials include ensuring “transparent, open and professional” communication with the public.
Although parts of the county’s emergency response followed established procedures, inconsistencies in messaging and limited public communication created confusion among residents. Questions emerged about the effectiveness of information delivery, as not all updates were easily accessible or clearly disseminated. In an attempt to clarify the situation, a county commissioner published a video featuring wildfire footage captured by drone. However, the use of aerial equipment near an active fire zone appeared to conflict with FAA regulations, prompting further scrutiny.
The incident also reignited public scrutiny over the broader structural and administrative problems within Josephine County’s emergency management and IT operations. Over time, a consistent pattern of dysfunction has emerged under the leadership of Michael Sellers, who oversees both departments. Reports have pointed to frequent technical outages that have disrupted county services, prolonged absences by department leadership during key operational periods, and significant delays in submitting and managing grant applications—some of which are crucial for emergency preparedness and public safety. Additionally, the department has faced repeated criticism for failing to respond to public records requests, a legal obligation essential for government transparency. Perhaps most troubling is the unexplained disappearance of archival video recordings from official county meetings, which has further eroded public trust. When coupled with breakdowns in communication during emergencies like the Board Shanty Fire, these ongoing issues have intensified concerns about the department’s capacity to function effectively under pressure and meet its critical responsibilities to the community.
While dedicated deputies and engaged neighbors filled communication gaps during the fire, relying on grassroots coordination cannot substitute for a professionally managed emergency response. In the absence of centralized leadership, public safety depends on inconsistent or unofficial channels—an unacceptable situation in the face of growing wildfire threats.
As the region continues to face longer and more dangerous fire seasons, residents are increasingly calling for accountability, transparency, and operational upgrades within Emergency Management. Whether through public records requests or outreach to the Oregon Emergency Management Department, many are demanding a formal review of both policy execution and personnel decisions.
The Board Shanty Fire may be contained, but the questions it raised about communication, oversight, and public trust remain very much unresolved.