LOWER ROGUE RIVER CORRIDOR, Ore. – Firefighters on the Kelsey Peak Fire are rounding the corner on mop-up operations, extinguishing hotspots 300 feet into the fire’s perimeter on all sides. This work creates a strong barrier around the incident, located approximately 15 miles west of Glendale, preventing any future spread of fire in warm, windy conditions. Due to this tremendous progress firefighters have made, containment has risen to 90%, and the fire remains 1,039 acres in size.
Today, resources will continue to finish mopping up, as well as pulling unneeded equipment off the fire line. Helicopters will be working again to support ground crews, hauling equipment off the incident and saving firefighters from hiking it back out themselves on the steep terrain. The equipment will then be readied to be deployed for the next fire.
Additionally, repair work along fire lines is ongoing, as firefighters work to restore the disturbed landscape to a more natural state. Water bars will also be added on steep terrain to prevent soil erosion when consistent rain returns this fall and winter. Fire lines along ridges will be left open for potential future fire blocks if needed.
This afternoon, a local Type 3 Incident Management Team made up of Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest resources will be in-briefing with ODF Team 1 to get a current overview of the incident. These incoming resources will then spend Thursday shadowing the current team before taking command of the incident at 6 p.m. tomorrow evening.
Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Complex Incident Management Team 1 is coordinating with Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 5 on the Moon Complex, approximately eight miles to the west. ODF Team 1 resources are re-opening 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 to support Great Basin Team 5 objectives. 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 on the BLM website: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions
Evacuations: The Curry County Sheriff’s Office has reduced the evacuation order for Rogue River Ranch, Tucker Flat Campground and Marial to Level 1 – BE READY in response to increased containment. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management has a Level 1 – BE READY evacuation notice for Zone JCU-801 in place. More info: https://tinyurl.com/KelseyPeakEvacs
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.