Single Publication

Smith River Complex North, Update for Sunday, September 17, 2023

Size: 92,142 total/ 12,460 in Oregon                                             

Start Date:  August 15, 2023

Location: Grants Pass, OR

Containment: 58%

Total personnel: 1,651 for Complex

Cause: Lightning

Resources: 44 crews   11 helicopters   68 engines   10 bulldozers   25 water tenders   14 masticators   1 Skid Steer  
 

Yesterday: Although smoke prohibited air support most of the day, crews on the northwest corner of the fire conducted successful burning operations up to the road system on the west side of Taylor Creek. On the northern edge of the fire, crews have completed firing operations and are mopping up and monitoring the area, working toward the goal of full suppression. On the eastern edge, crews removed approximately a mile and a half of hoselay, since there is little danger of fire activity in that area.

Today’s Activities:  Near Taylor Creek, crews are using small-scale tactical firing to bring the black to the control line. This allows firefighters the ability to operate safely while mopping up and holding the line. On the northern edge of the fire, crews are holding the line, mopping up, monitoring, and starting to identify repair needs. The suppression repair crews are starting chipping operations on a secondary control line in the Monkey Ridge area. Progress continues on the western secondary control line on Forest Road 1106.

Smoke: Jackson County was added to the air quality advisory in effect for Curry and Josephine counties through Sunday evening due to smoke from the Anvil and Smith River Complex fires. Smoke will decrease throughout the area today, but high-level haze will continue. Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather; check current conditions at: https://bit.ly/SWORsmoke

Closures: The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest issued an area and road closure for a 400-yard-wide corridor centered on Forest Road 1106 (South Elk Mountain Road), Forest Road 1205 (Lower Wheeler Road), and Forest Road 1983 (Mt. Emily Road) beginning yesterday, September 14 through October 31, 2023. The closure allows for safe operations related to the Smith River Complex North. Closures on BLM land are in place, as well. Visit bit.ly/RRSNFAlerts or https://www.blm.gov/orwafire for additional information.

Road Closures and Delays: Caltrans in Del Norte County issued a schedule of road closures and lane restrictions on US-199. Weekdays will have a combination of road closure and lane restrictions. Over the weekend, the road will remain open, but with lane restrictions and pilot cars. Expect delays. For specific information on road access, please see the Caltrans QuickMap site https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ and Oregon Department of Transportation’s https://www.tripcheck.com/. Local law enforcement cautions against any non-essential traffic along this route. Navigation apps and mapping programs have been routing travelers into active fire areas. Do not use forest roads as alternate routes.

Evacuations: Monitor the Rogue Valley Emergency Management site and sign up for evacuation alerts and updates at https://rvem.org/. An interactive Fire First Response Map with evacuation areas can also be found there.

Restrictions: Please respect the temporary flight restriction (TFR) established for the Smith River Complex. Keep drones away from firefighting operations and the TFR. If you fly, we can’t. Don’t be the reason a firefighting air mission has to divert! For more information on the TFR, visit https://tfr.faa.gov/.