Moon Complex Fire Update

Monday, September 15, 2025

Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 5

Monday, September 15, 2025

Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 5

Size: 3,964 acres

Containment: 6%

Total Personnel: 885

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:Yesterday, rainfall amounts ranged between 0.2 to 0.4 inches over the active fire area. Very high relative humidity and drizzle persisted throughout the morning before partial clearing in the afternoon. Humidity remained elevated, around 80% in higher terrain and 50% in the Rogue River Valley. Today there will be a rapid change in weather due to a quick-building thermal trough over the Pacific Coast. Clear skies are expected, allowing temperatures to reach the upper 80s and minimum relative humidity values to drop into the upper teens by tomorrow afternoon.

Situation:Cooler temperatures and high relative humidity recovery overnight will limit fire spread today. However, offshore northeast winds will cause rapid drying of fuels. Ridgetops will start drying early this morning, with dry air quickly reaching valley floors as the surface inversion breaks. Firefighters will continue to strengthen existing firelines and establish new lines, improve old roads and trails, and maintain structure protection measures around lodges and residences. Resource Advisors (READs) are working closely with firefighters to ensure that considerations for wilderness and river values are incorporated into trail work and line construction.

Backbone Fire– The Backbone Fire is 1,830 acres. With the cloudy conditions yesterday, only Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) were able to fly. The UAS collected information about areas of heat within the fire perimeter, assisting firefighters with direct engagement locations. Crews continued removing hazard trees from the Clay Hill Trail from Panther Ridge to the 5520 Road and started clearing for a new helispot location near the trail. Today, crews are working to complete structure protection for Wild River Lodge in the Slide Creek area.

Pinnacle Fire– The Pinnacle Fire is 2,108 acres. Today, firefighters will continue to work on containing and stopping fire spread to the south and west. Crews will construct handline from the end of the 713 Road down to the river and monitor direct line on East Creek. Crews will continue construction of direct line west of the 127 Road, following the ridge along the wilderness boundary. A hotshot crew will be deployed on the eastern flank of the fire to begin constructing direct lines.

Tate Fire– The Tate Fire is 26 acres and has been contained. Crews will remain in the area to patrol and monitor the fire and watch for any changes in fire behavior in the interior of the burned area.

Safety Message: Fire activity can drastically alter the river environment. Mitigation measures may be in place. It’s an evolving situation and updates will be shared as soon as possible. Permitted boaters can contact the BLM Smullin Visitor Center at 541-618-2408 or [email protected] with questions about the status of the river.