Join Northwest Complex Incident Management Team 7 for updates on the Moon Complex Fire and Rogue River recreation on Thursday October 9, 6:30 to 7:30 PM at the Merlin Community Center, 100 Acorn Street, Merlin Oregon. The meeting will be streamed live on the Southwest Oregon Fire Information Facebook page.
CURRENT STATUS: Yesterday was the warmest and driest day in the past ten days over the fire area. There was no measurable increase in acres burned. This weather helped to reveal hot spots scattered around the fire, where isolated pockets of heavy fuels continue to smolder even after several day of moisture. Firefighters concentrated work on these spots, using direct suppression work on the ground and helicopters to drop water on spots near the fire’s edge. Crews continued work on contingency fire lines away from the fire’s edge and mopping up directly along perimeter lines in areas of the Shasta Costa Creek drainage that are accessible. Firefighters monitored Stair Creek and Blossom Bar Creek for any increased activity, including using UAS (drones) to closely search for hidden heat.
Crews have completed direct fire line construction and mopping up around Wild River Lodge, and continue repair, rehabilitation and retrieving equipment at Brushy Bar and Paradise Lodge. Boaters and recreators are encouraged to use extra caution on the river between Foster Bar and Cougar Lane to allow full access for helicopter operations. Coordination between the recreating public and agencies managing the fire has allowed for continued recreational use of the river while suppression efforts are ongoing.
WEATHER:A trend to much cooler and wetter weather will begin Thursday, with a high probability of a wetting rain (one-quarter inch or more) on Friday and continuing through the weekend. This weather will significantly reduce fire behavior and the risk of spreading in the near future.
EVACUATIONS: A Level 2 (BE SET!) evacuation order is in place from Tacoma Rapids (River Mile 29) to the Oak Flat Area, including Agness; and southwest from Spud Road and the Rogue River, bordered on the northwest by Agness Road (Forest System Road [FSR] 33) and ending at Forest System Road 3318. An interactive evacuation map can be found at https://bit.ly/MoonComplexEvacs.
SMOKE: Air quality information is available at https://www.oregonsmoke.org/ and https://www.airnow.gov.
CLOSURES: Bear Camp Road (FSR 23), Eden Valley Road (FSR 3348), Burnt Ridge Road (FSR 2308), and Agness Road (FSR 33) from Agness to Eden Valley Road are closed. County Road 375 to Foster Bar is open.An emergency area, road and trail closure is in place on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest for the fire. Please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/rogue-siskiyou/alerts for closure information and maps.
River permits for the Wild Section are being issued. Burned areas along the river may be extremely hazardous with a high potential for falling green trees that have been damaged by fire and rockslides into the river. Watch for helicopters dipping out of the river and move away from these operations if you are on the water. Due to fire impacts and the complexity of moving personnel and gear to the fire area, the Forest Service has suspended motorboat traffic upstream of Foster Bar boat ramp. Lodge owners and private cabin owners may travel upstream for ingress and egress purposes to their private property/businesses.
Moon Complex Fire Information
541-674-5038