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Smith River Complex North update for Saturday, August 26, 2023

Grants Pass, Ore. – The north side of the Smith River Complex North remains active with afternoon winds and abundant drought-stressed vegetation contributing to fire spread. Fire personnel are focused on constructing direct and indirect fire lines south and west of Gilligan Butte along the 4402 Road to Hwy 199, and southeast along the 18N11 Road to the 444 Road. They are also installing structure protection systems to minimize immediate threats to local communities and critical infrastructure, as well as cutting hazard trees along Hwy 199 and scouting contingency lines.

Thursday’s thunderstorms brought several new fire starts to the region. A new lightning-caused fire was detected near the north side of the Smith River Complex North and was quickly contained. Resources from the Complex are also assisting with the Grayback Fire near Oregon Caves National Park. The air cleared enough on Friday afternoon that aircraft were able to provide fire suppression support. Patchy morning fog in the valleys and smoky conditions in the afternoons will make for poor visibility and limit air operations the next few days. A slight warming and drying trend with moderate afternoon wind gusts is expected to continue through at least Monday.

A Level 3 – GO NOW evacuation remains in place for the Hwy 199 area south of O’Brien from mile post 38 into California. A Level 2 – GET SET evacuation is in place for O’Brien and the Takilma area. A Level 1 – GET READY evacuation is in place heading north to Cave Junction. The interactive Fire First Response Map showing evacuation areas can be found at https://rvem.org. The American Red Cross has set up an evacuation shelter at Rogue Community College in Grants Pass. Livestock can be sheltered at the Josephine County Fairgrounds.

Due to increased fire activity, the public is encouraged to monitor the Rogue Valley Emergency Management site at https://rvem.org for updates and sign up for Citizen Alert if you have not already done so. The Bureau of Land Management Coos Bay District announced an emergency closure of public lands south of Waldo Road and Happy Camp Road to the Oregon/California border. Maps and additional information can be found at https://www.blm.gov/orwafire.

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 at https://tinyurl.com/2s4hymku.