ODF CIMT 1 in-briefed on Kelsey Peak Fire, firefighters continue steady progress on the line

LOWER ROGUE RIVER CORRIDOR, Ore. (Sept. 7, 2025) – As firefighters remain engaged on the Kelsey Peak Fire, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) 1 was in-briefed on the incident by local leadership from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Medford District and ODF Southwest Oregon District. The fire, burning on BLM-administered land along the Lower Rogue River Corridor roughly 26 miles northwest of Grants Pass, was sparked by lightning during a thunderstorm last Wednesday night. ODF CIMT 1 is currently working with their counterparts to learn as much as possible about the fire, terrain, local historic structures, and communities before taking command of the incident on Monday morning. With the team transition, updates will begin to be available on the Kelsey Peak Fire 2025 Facebook page tomorrow.

Today, resources assigned to the fire improved work along existing control lines, bolstering these areas to create a strong barrier to stop the forward spread of the fire. Additionally, they were able to create new lines along the north and southeast portions. Smoky conditions have halted the use of aircraft for the past two days, but a window opened up around 5:30 p.m. and helicopters were able to assist firefighters on the ground.

Tonight, resources will continue to push forward on building lines around the fire. This effort will help to keep it as small as possible, which remains a top priority, along with the safety of firefighters and the public. More than 150 personnel will be working on the fire overnight, including five 20-person crews, 13 engines, one bulldozer, two water tenders and medical staff.

Evacuations around the fire remain in place tonight. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management placed Zone JCU-801, located mostly southeast of the fire, on a Level 1, BE READY evacuation notice. In Curry County, Sheriff John Ward of the Curry County Sheriff’s Office issued a Level 3, GO NOW, evacuation order for the area of Rogue River Ranch, Tucker Flat Campground and the nearby area of Marial. The Rogue River Trail is closed from Horseshoe Bend to Flora Dell. A portion of the Grave Creek to Marial Backcountry Byway (BLM Road 32-9-14.2) is closed. The public is strongly encouraged to avoid the entire Byway to facilitate safe firefighter access on the steep, narrow, windy road. Members of the public may not enter closed areas, and all uses—including hiking, hunting and dispersed camping—are prohibited. Please see the map for full closure information on the BLM website: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions.

Firefighters are also scouting the area for cabins and other historical locations in an effort to preserve them. While the Rogue River Ranch, Marial and the Zane Grey Cabin are near the general area of the fire, they are currently not threatened by it. The Level 3 evacuation affecting some of these structures is due to the limited road access currently threatened by the fire. Resources will continue to monitor fire behavior and take the steps necessary to keep these structures safe.

The fires along the Lower Rogue River Corridor were started by lightning during a thunderstorm last Wednesday; the following is a complete list of the fires that affected ODF-protected land:

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.

Help firefighters by following all current regulations during Extreme fire danger:

• ODF: https://swofire.com/public-fire-restrictions/
• BLM: https://www.blm.gov/programs/fire/fire-restrictions