LOWER ROGUE RIVER CORRIDOR, Ore. – Firefighters engaged on the Kelsey Peak Fire are continuing to finish mop-up operations and repairs, as well as hauling unneeded equipment off of the incident. The fire, now 95% contained as of Thursday morning, is located approximately 15 miles west of Glendale and was started by lightning on September 3.
Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Incident Management Team 1 has been assigned to the fire since September 8, and after 12 days, will be completing their final shift today. Despite steep terrain, dense brush, hazardous trees and rolling debris, firefighters were able to quickly build a control line around this fire and hold it at a final size of 1,039 acres during this timeframe.
On Wednesday, a local Type 3 team made up of ODF, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Medford District and U.S. Forest Service Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest resources was in-briefed on the current status of the fire and have been shadowing members of ODF Team 1 since. They will officially take command of the incident at 6 p.m. tonight to complete the final mop-up and repair work.
In response to the current status and containment of the fire, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management has canceled the Level 1 – BE READY evacuation notice for Zone JCU-801. A Level 1 – BE READY evacuation notice issued by the Curry County Sheriff’s Office remains in effect for Rogue River Ranch, Tucker Flat Campground and Marial due to the proximity of the Moon Complex.
Local resources will continue to coordinate with Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team (IMT) 5 on the Moon Complex, as well as the incoming Northwest IMT 13, which will take command of the Moon Complex on Saturday morning. Work to re-open old fire lines used during past fires as contingency lines for the east flank of the Moon Complex and mitigating fuels around structures in the Rogue River Ranch, Tucker Flats, and Marial areas will continue as needed to support the Moon Complex teams. For more information on the Moon Complex, visit https://www.facebook.com/SWORFireInfo
Rogue River Access: Fire activity can drastically alter the river environment. Please follow https://www.facebook.com/R6RRSNF and https://www.facebook.com/SWORFireInfo for updates regarding river access and impacts. Be aware of changing conditions and follow the direction of River Rangers and firefighting personnel along the river. Permitted boaters can contact the BLM Smullin Visitor Center at 541-618-2408 or BLM_OR_MD_Rogue_River_Mail@blm.gov with questions.
Closures: The Rogue River Trail is closed from Horseshoe Bend to Flora Dell. A temporary closure of a portion of the Grave Creek to Marial Backcountry Byway (BLM Road 32-9-14.2) has been implemented by the BLM Grants Pass Field Office. The public is strongly encouraged to avoid the entire Byway to facilitate safe firefighter access on the steep, narrow, windy road. Unauthorized individuals may not enter closed areas, and all uses—including hiking, hunting and dispersed camping—are prohibited. Please see the map for full closure information and updates on the BLM website: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions
Evacuations: A Level 1 – BE READY evacuation notice from the Curry County Sheriff’s Office remains in effect for Rogue River Ranch, Tucker Flat Campground and Marial.
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place at an altitude from the surface up to and including 7,000 feet, daily (24 hours) until further notice. Complete information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_5_8274. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts.