LOWER ROGUE RIVER CORRIDOR, Ore. (Sept. 5, 2025) – Firefighters assigned to multiple fires along the Lower Rogue River Corridor in northwestern Josephine County overnight made great progress on the smaller incidents and held the Kelsey Peak Fire in its current footprint. Cooler temperatures allowed resources to line and mop up an additional three fires, bringing the total numbers of fires already extinguished to seven. This work only leaves the Kelsey Peak, Marial and Mule fires still in an active status. Today, firefighters assigned to these incidents will continue to build on this progress.
The Kelsey Peak Fire remains the largest incident. Overnight, minimal growth was seen and the fire remains an estimated 80 acres. Resources worked early into Friday morning, holding the lines built, strengthening them where possible, and bringing in miles of hose. Firefighters working Friday’s day shift will distribute this hose across the fire and build a system to allow water access across the incident. Firefighters will also continue to build line and use aircraft where needed.
Today, resources assigned to these incidents include four 20-person crews, two 10-person crews, four engines, two bulldozers, two water tenders and various aircraft, including three Type 1, three Type 2 and two Type 3 helicopters. Air tankers will be ordered as needed, and if possible, due to smoky conditions. More than 130 personnel are currently assigned to these fires, with the majority dedicated to the Kelsey Peak Fire.
The following is a complete list of fires on ODF-protected land from Wednesday’s thunderstorm:
| Fire | Size (Acres) | Status |
| August Knob Fire | 1/100 | 100% lined, 100% mopped up |
| Bald Ridge Fire | — | Unable to locate (UTL) |
| Bald Ridge Fire #2 | 1/4 | 100% lined, 100% mopped up |
| Big Meadow Fire | 1/10 | 100% lined, 100% mopped up |
| Cold Springs Fire | 1/10 | 100% lined, 100% mopped up |
| Ditch Creek Fire | 1/10 | 100% lined, 100% mopped up |
| Hewitt Creek Fire | 1/10 | Turned over to USFS |
| Jeep Ridge Fire | 1/100 | 100% lined, 100% mopped up |
| Kelsey Peak Fire | 80 (estimated) | 25% lined, 0% mopped up |
| Marial Fire | 1/2 | 100% lined, 20% mopped up |
| Mule Creek Fire | 1 | 100% lined, 25% mopped up |
| Quail Creek Fire | 1/10 | 100% lined, 100% mopped up |
With numerous fires along the lower Rogue River Corridor, please avoid these areas for your safety and the safety of those responding to these incidents. Road closures to the Rogue River Ranch, adjacent to the fire will likely be going into effect today. Additional fires burning downriver near the Paradise and Half Moon Bar Lodges are on ground protected by our partners at the U.S. Forest Service Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and the Coos Forest Protective Association; please follow their pages for additional fire updates.
Thunderstorms remain in the forecast for today and tonight across Jackson and Josephine counties, with higher probability for the eastern portion of Jackson County. As a result, the National Weather Service Medford office has issued a Red Flag Warning today from 1 – 9 p.m. across eastern Jackson County for abundant lightning on dry fuels. These storms bring the potential for gusty wind on existing incidents and new fire starts from lightning. Rain over the fire area is also a possibility today.
ODF fire regulations are available here: https://swofire.com/public-fire-restrictions/.
BLM fire regulations can be found here: https://www.blm.gov/programs/fire/fire-restrictions