Single Publication

Smith River Complex North update for Thursday, August 31, 2023

GRANTS PASS, Ore. – Firefighters continue to make steady progress establishing fire lines to protect the communities of the Illinois Valley and halt the spread of the Smith River Complex North.

“We are working aggressively to fully suppress this fire,” said Scott Blower, Wild River District Ranger for the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.

With aviation support and favorable winds, tactical firing operations are occurring during both day and night shift. Tactical firing is strategic ignition by a team of fire experts under controlled conditions to bring the fire perimeter to a predetermined containment feature. It stops the forward progression of a wildfire while consuming ground litter and dried vegetation. Shrubs and trees are generally left intact.

Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) task forces continue to expand defensible space around threatened structures, protecting them from any firebrands or embers. Firebrands are small pieces of burning vegetation such as small branches or leaves that can be carried across a fire line by the wind.

After dark, OSFM crews are conducting perimeter patrols, watching for spot fires and assisting wildland resources as needed. 

Winds out of the northeast have been pushing the fire back on itself the past several days but are expected to shift again this weekend and come from the southwest. Cooler weather and measurable rain are also predicted this weekend, which may reduce fire activity, but will not be sufficient to extinguish the fire.

A Level 3 – GO NOW evacuation remains in place for the Hwy 199 area south of O’Brien from milepost 38 to the state line. 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 north to Cave Junction. An American Red Cross evacuation shelter is located at Rogue Community College in Grants Pass. Livestock can be sheltered at the Josephine County Fairgrounds.

Due to fire activity, the public is encouraged to monitor the Rogue Valley Emergency Management site at https://rvem.org for evacuation updates. An interactive Fire First Response Map showing evacuation areas can also be found there.

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. The Bureau of Land Management Coos Bay District announced an emergency closure of public lands near the Oregon/California border. For additional information see https://www.blm.gov/orwafire.