Incidents All News

***Flood Watch in Effect From 5 AM To 11 PM Monday***Wind Advisory in Effect Through 1 PM Monday***CURRENT SITUATION: The expected storm arrived off the coast early this morning bringing strong winds and rain throughout the Smith River Complex. The system today is potentially going to bring rainfall between 2 to 3 inches over the next 12 hours and the runoff has the potential for mud slides and debris flows that could impact highways and the roads in and around the fire footprint. 

CURRENT SITUATION: A powerful storm is expected late tonight and into Monday evening. This storm is expected to bring heavy rains and wind. A wind advisory has been issued from Sunday 8pm to Monday 8am. These winds are expected to reach up to 25 mph with 50 mph gusts. A flood watch has also been issued from 5pm Sunday to 11pm Monday with a potential of 2 to 4 inches in the ridgetops and 2 inches in the valleys. The excessive runoff may result in the flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and mud slides. 

Size: 94,508 acres (12,460 ac. in Oregon); Location: Grants Pass, OR; Cause: LightningContainment: 84%; Start date: August 15, 2023; Total personnel: 1,246Resources: 26 crews   6 helicopters   33 engines   8 dozers   22 water tenders  5 masticators   1 Skid Steer 

CURRENT SITUATION: Friday’s calmer weather helped to minimize fire behavior. Crews continued to patrol containment lines of the main fire and US 199 while also mending any damage to the forest caused by firefighting operations. Crews monitored the fire on the east side, where it is burning in the Siskiyou Wilderness. Helicopters conducted water drops to reduce the fire’s intensity and slow its southward progression toward the Bear Basin Lookout.

Smith River Complex North, Daily Update, Saturday, September 23, 2023Size: 94,508 acres (12,460 ac. in Oregon); Location: Grants Pass, OR; Cause: LightningContainment: 84%; Start date: August 15, 2023; Total personnel: 1,394

Smith River Complex North, Daily Update, Friday, September 22, 2023Size: 93,559 acres (12,460 ac. in Oregon); Location: Grants Pass, OR; Cause: Lightning Containment: 79%; Start date: August 15, 2023; Total personnel: 1,441  

CURRENT SITUATION: Thursday was another active day on the fire due to continued northeast winds with smoke visible in the surrounding area. Like yesterday, the wind allowed for a more aggressive attack from the air, but also limited the amount of work done on the ground in some areas due to safety concerns.

 Smith River Complex North Daily Update, Thursday, September 21, 2023Size: 93,559 acres (12,460 ac. in Oregon); Location: Grants Pass, OR; Cause: LightningContainment: 76%; Start date: August 15, 2023; Total personnel: 1,475

Size: 92,914 acres (12,460 ac. in Oregon); Location: Grants Pass, OR; Cause: LightningContainment: 77%; Start date: August 15, 2023; Total personnel: 1,526Resources: 37 crews   6 helicopters   45 engines   8 dozers   28 water tenders   10 masticators   1 Skid Steer  

CURRENT SITUATION: A suppression repair plan has begun on the northwest portion of the fire. This plan will help ensure the safety of these communities and help restore the affected forest lands. An important part of the process is chipping the trees into small pieces, creating water bars to redirect any waterflow that could damage the ground on trails and roads, and road repair work, which has begun on the northwest portion of the fire. This helps with environmental damage and promoting recovery.