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Smith River Complex North update August 22, 2023
Smith River Complex
Publication Type: News 08/22/2023
Smith River Complex North update for Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Grants Pass, Ore. – Fire suppression efforts are progressing as Smith River Complex North resources put in dozer line from Monkey Creek Ridge to Hwy 199. Northwest Incident Management Team 13 (NWIMT13) is working with local fire departments to create a coordinated structure protection plan in the event of significant fire behavior moving towards residences. Currently, in the Dwight Creek area, firefighters are conducting structure protection assessments while in Elk Creek, firefighters are providing structure protection.
Del Norte County has issued a Level 3 evacuation notice from the Oregon/California border south. Specifics of this closure can be found at https://www.facebook.com/DelNorteOfficeOfEmergencyServices/.
Josephine County has issued a Level 2 evacuation notice along Hwy 199 south of mile post 39 to the California border, and a Level 1 evacuation for the community of O’Brien south of Rough & Ready Creek. For more information and maps, visit the Rogue Valley Emergency Management site at https://www.rvem.org.
The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has implemented an area and road closure order for the Smith River Complex. Visit the forest website for additional information https://tinyurl.com/2s4hymku.
The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) around the Smith River Complex has been extended to the north into Oregon. Resources assigned to the Complex will assist with initial attack on fires within the TFR. Due to significant smoke and limited visibility, air operations are limited. A mobile retardant base has also been ordered. This base will allow aircraft to deliver fire retardant more quickly when and where it is needed to help slow fire spread.
Cooperatively responding agencies include the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, the Oregon Department of Forestry, BLM-Coos Bay District, BLM-Medford District, Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, Josephine County EMS, the Illinois Valley Fire Department and Curry County Sheriff’s Office.