Firefighters continue to make progress on Kelsey Peak Fire  

LOWER ROGUE RIVER CORRIDOR, Ore. (Sept. 5, 2025) – Resources on the Kelsey Peak, Mule Creek and Marial fires burning along the Lower Rogue River Corridor located roughly 26 miles northwest of Grants Pass continued to push forward on progress today. Dayshift crews picked up where nightshift firefighters left off, constructing hose around the fire’s perimeter to allow for water access. Firefighters were also able to fully mop up the Mule Creek Fire and complete 90% of mop-up operations on the Marial Fire today. These fires are a result of lightning that struck in the area during thunderstorms on Wednesday afternoon, affecting Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land.

The Kelsey Peak Fire remains the largest of the incidents by far, estimated to have grown to 120 acres following an active day. Hot, windy temperatures fueled fire growth on the north and northwest sides of the fire, prompting firefighters to use strategic firing operations to protect roads in the area and build a stronger defense against the fire’s observed growth potential.

Due to the threatened roadway, Sheriff John Ward of the Curry County Sheriff’s Office issued a Level 3, GO NOW, evacuation order for the area of Rogue River Ranch and the nearby area of Marial on the BLM Road 32-9-14.2 Road. While the structures in these areas weren’t directly threatened, the road serves as the only way out of those areas. ODF personnel working the fires conducted in-person evacuation warnings to Rogue River Ranch, Tucker Flat Campground and Marial due to what would have been a long response time to the remote area from available county personnel.

In conjunction with the evacuations, the Bureau of Land Management Grants Pass Field Office has temporarily closed a portion of the Grave Creek to Marial Backcountry Byway near the Rogue River Ranch for firefighter and public safety. The public is strongly encouraged to avoid the entire Byway to facilitate safe firefighter access on the steep, narrow, windy road. Members of the public may not enter closed areas, and all uses—including hiking, hunting and dispersed camping—are prohibited. The closure order encompasses BLM Road 32-9-14.2 along the Grave Creek to Marial Backcountry Byway. Please see the map for full closure information on the BLM website: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions

Tonight, more than 150 personnel will be working the fires, including five 20-person crews, 13 engines, three water tenders and overhead.

The following is a complete list of fires on ODF-protected land from Wednesday’s thunderstorm:

Additional fires burning downriver near the Paradise and Half Moon Bar Lodges are on ground protected by our partners at the U.S. Forest Service Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and the Coos Forest Protective Association; please follow their pages for additional fire updates.

Help firefighters by following all current regulations during Extreme fire danger:

• ODF: https://swofire.com/public-fire-restrictions/
• BLM: https://www.blm.gov/programs/fire/fire-restrictions