Monday, September 8, 2025

Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 5

Size: 2,229 acres

Containment: 0%

Total Personnel: 430

Cause: Lightning       

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orrsf-moon-complex

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SWORFireInfo

Contact Fire Information Phone: 541-674-5038

Email:  [email protected]

Weather:A storm system is slowly moving into the fire area today. Temperatures are expected to be around 67 degrees in the valleys and 65 degrees along ridgetops. Relative humidities will also be significantly higher, with valley humidities around 70% and ridgetop humidities as high as 85%. Strong gusty winds are possible throughout the area as storms pass and there is also the possibility of a strong funneling effect along the Rogue River Canyon. However, winds are only expected to be between 10 and 15 miles per hour if outflow winds do not occur. Up to half an inch of rain may occur in some areas over the next two days.

Situation:Due to an increase in fire behavior near the Rogue River, several safety concerns have been identified that can injure recreationists in the area. Fire-weakened trees have been seen falling into the river and there have been several rock-falls caused by weakened cliff faces and firefighting activities. The Rogue River remains open to the permitted boaters, however, it is strongly advised that boaters remain aware of the hazards inherent in entering an active wildfire area. When river conditions allow, it is recommended that recreationists navigate away from the burned sides of the river. Strong winds can cause weakened trees to fall at any time. Rocks can become dislodged at any time due to firefighting activities or because vegetation that once held them in place has been removed.

Incoming weather can increase the chances of rock and tree falls. Do not stop in the fire area, watch for increases in fire activity, and do not approach or pause to photograph aircraft that will be trying to dip out of deeper pools in the river. Remain vigilant of hazards that could cause serious injury or death.

• Backbone Fire– The Backbone Fire is 1,489 acres. Crews worked on building control lines, as well as contingency lines, around Paradise Lodge area yesterday. Firefighters also work to assess areas where adjacent firelines can be constructed along the fires edge. The steep and rugged terrain has made line construction difficult in some areas, but firefighters look to utilize natural features, including the Rogue River. Firefighters continue structure protection operations in the Brushy Bar area.
• Pinnacle Fire– The Pinnacle Fire is 1,730 acres. The Pinnacle Fire saw the most activity yesterday due to some localized funneled winds that pushed the fire along the bottom of the canyon. These winds caused the Brushy Fire to burn into the Pinnacle Fire, which partially accounts for the large increase in acreage of the Pinnacle Fire. As a result, we will no longer report on the Brushy Fire and it will be reported as the Pinnacle Fire. Today, firefighters will continue to directly engage the fire, utilizing handlines and other tools, when fire behavior allows. Fire activity slowed along the southern edge of the fire, allowing firefighters to begin directly attacking hot spots. Dozers successfully created a second entry point, allowing more resources to reach the area that was formerly the Brushy Fire. Dozers are being utilized to build fireline along Panther Ridge and have successfully constructed line from Bald Knob to Hanging Rock. Hand crews and felling crews will work to improve the dozer line.
• Tate Fire– The Tate Fire is 19 acres. The fire saw another day of no growth, thanks to the hard work of firefighters. Firefighters have completely lined the fire and are now pushing steadily towards the interior, mopping up hot spots and felling hazard trees along the edges of the fireline.

Evacuations:An evacuation order remains in place for the Paradise and Half-Moon Lodge areas. Please see the

Curry County Sheriff’s Office website for more information.

Closures:The Rogue River trail is under an emergency closure from Horseshoe Bend to Flora Dell due to fire activity.