Firefighters Continue Battle Against 400+ Acre Board Shanty Fire

Grants Pass, Oregon- Firefighters continued to mount an aggressive attack Friday on the fast-growing Board Shanty Fire, which has now been GPS-mapped at 409 acres south of Grants Pass.

Crews worked throughout the day to suppress the blaze, which exhibited very active fire behavior and produced heavy smoke visible across the region. Fire officials said the smoke column may continue into the evening but is expected to diminish overnight with cooler temperatures.

Firefighters successfully held the flames north of Board Shanty Creek and constructed containment lines using hand tools and bulldozers along most of the fire’s perimeter. Hose lines were also installed along the north and west ends to support water access. Containment efforts remain focused on the eastern edge of the fire, where crews are working to establish both direct and contingency lines.

Air support played a critical role in the day’s efforts, with helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft conducting multiple water and retardant drops. Officials issued a warning against drone activity in the area, emphasizing that unauthorized drones are illegal and pose serious risks to aerial firefighting crews.

The fire is expected to remain active overnight, and crews will continue working through the night to strengthen containment and prevent further spread.

Hot, dry weather and gusty winds are contributing to increased fire risk across the region. Officials urged the public to follow all current fire restrictions and practice caution when recreating outdoors.

In response to the Board Shanty Fire, evacuation notices have been issued for multiple areas. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office has placed Zones JCU-436, JCU-437, and JCU-448-A under a Level 2 “Be Set” evacuation notice, while Zone JCU-448-B is under a Level 1 “Be Ready” advisory. In Jackson County, Zone JAC-068 has also been placed under a Level 1 notice.

To find your evacuation zone, visit https://protect.genasys.com

The fire was first reported around 5:00 p.m. Thursday. Resources from the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District, Grants Pass Fire, Rural Metro Fire, Rogue Valley fire agencies, and ODF’s Incident Management Team 3 responded. Command of the incident was officially transferred to ODF CIMT 3 on Friday morning.