Firefighters Battle Multiple Lightning-Caused Blazes in Lower Rogue River Corridor

Josephine County, Oregon- Firefighters are continuing a relentless attack on multiple lightning-caused wildfires across the Lower Rogue River Corridor in northwestern Josephine County, officials said Thursday evening.

The blazes, sparked by Wednesday afternoon’s thunderstorms, are burning on Bureau of Land Management land about 26 miles northwest of Grants Pass near the Winkle Bar Airstrip.

The Kelsey Peak Fire is the largest incident, estimated at 80 acres Thursday night. It has been designated the top priority fire across Oregon Department of Forestry’s statewide jurisdiction because of difficult conditions and safety risks. Crews made progress on the north and east sides, establishing 25% containment, but steep terrain and dense brush hindered efforts on the southern edge. Aircraft dropped water throughout the day, and one air tanker successfully laid a retardant line along the east side before heavy smoke prevented further low-level flights. Crews must hike 90 minutes to access the fire.

Other fires include:

• Bald Ridge Fire #2, held at a quarter-acre and fully contained.

• Cold Springs Fire, stopped at one-tenth of an acre and mopped up.

• Ditch Creek Fire, also one-tenth of an acre, fully lined with mop-up underway. This was the only fire reported on private land.

• Marial Fire, holding at a half-acre with line construction ongoing.

• Mule Creek Fire, estimated at one acre, with crews continuing work overnight.

• Bald Ridge Fire, not yet located but may reemerge.

• Hewitt Creek Fire, turned over to the U.S. Forest Service.

Crews also located four new lightning fires Thursday:

• August Knob Fire (1/100 acre, active).

• Quail Creek Fire (1/10 acre, contained).

• Big Meadow Fire (1/10 acre, contained).

• Jeep Ridge Fire (1/100 acre, fully lined and 30% mopped up).

More than 120 personnel, including five 20-person crews, 13 engines and three water tenders, were assigned to the fires Thursday night, with additional reinforcements expected Friday. Road closures in the corridor are set to go into effect to protect both the public and firefighters.

Officials warned that thunderstorms are forecast to continue through Friday, bringing the risk of new lightning strikes and gusty winds. The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag Warning for eastern Jackson County from 1 to 9 p.m. Friday for abundant lightning on dry fuels.

Separately, firefighters stopped a fire on Jump Off Joe Creek Road near Grants Pass at one-tenth of an acre Thursday morning. That fire is now fully lined and mopped up.

Fire officials urged the public to avoid the corridor and to follow fire prevention restrictions. Current regulations for Oregon Department of Forestry lands are posted at swofire.com, and Bureau of Land Management restrictions are available at blm.gov.