Salem, Oregon- The Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing four task forces along with its Green Incident Management Team to respond to the Moon Complex fire in Curry County, the agency said Saturday, as the lightning-caused blaze surged Friday under strong winds and threatened homes and key infrastructure near the communities of Agness and Illahe.
In total, six structural task forces have been mobilized against the fire. State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple described Friday’s growth as driven by “challenging weather conditions,” saying that local responders urgently require additional support to protect residents, property and critical infrastructure. “This is a good reminder that we are still in fire season and ask everyone to stay aware and do everything they can to prevent sparking a wildfire,” she said.
The state’s resources will join two structural task forces that were sent through the Immediate Response program on Saturday morning, mobilized from the Rogue Valley and Lane County regions.
The Curry County Sheriff’s Office has issued Level 2 and Level 3 evacuation notices for several areas around the fire. Area residents are urged to monitor the sheriff’s office for up-to-date evacuation instructions.
The declaration marks the eighth invocation of the Emergency Conflagration Act in 2025, a legal tool that allows the state to deploy additional firefighting resources.
The Latest on the Moon Complex Fire
The fire, described as “flaring up again” in a 4 p.m. update Friday, produced a visible smoke column, underscoring the intensity of the day’s spread. Firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, local contract crews, and the Coos Forest Patrol are engaged in active suppression, focusing on protecting both federal lands and adjacent private properties.
While no consolidated acreage figure has yet been confirmed, the fire has grown significantly compared to earlier footprints. Fire authorities emphasizes that risk remains high along the Rogue River corridor and that permitted river users should exercise caution.
Community Risk & Response
As the blaze spreads, concerns are mounting for properties, power lines, communication infrastructure, and access routes in and around Agness and Illahe. The terrain is remote and recovery of resources is slow, meaning that protective measures may lag behind fire activity.
Evacuation levels are designed to move from cautionary (Level 2) to mandatory (Level 3) as conditions worsen. Level 3 typically means residents must evacuate immediately; Level 2 means be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
Residents in threatened zones are urged to have an evacuation plan in place, keep in contact with local authorities, and adhere to closures and travel restrictions.
Outlook & Hazards Ahead
Forecasters warn that ongoing dry conditions and forecasts for gusty winds could continue to push the fire into new terrain. The complex topography, limited access routes, and rugged terrain all pose substantial obstacles to fire crews.
Fire officials stress that, despite seasonal fatigue and competing demands across the state, the Moon Complex Fire remains a top priority. The invocation of the Emergency Conflagration Act this year signals how strained resources have become statewide.
More updates will be provided as firefighters report progress and as mapping data becomes available.
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