August 23, 2023 4:00 a.m.

Firefighters made good progress Tuesday on the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest.

Public Affairs Officer Virginia Gibbons said that was due to strategic prioritization and coordination between all the ranger districts involved in managing over forty fires. Gibbons said there are over five hundred personnel engaged in initial attack across the forest.

Gibbons called the completion of handline around the Kanaka Fire a “monumental achievement by all of those involved”. She said it was a testament to their hard work and dedication to aggressive initial attack.

Heavy smoke has impacted and reduced visibility in the valley and has limited the use of air resources. Gibbons said that means the work of those on the ground continues to be the key to success for fire suppression efforts.

Gibbons said the Smith River Complex progressed northward Tuesday. Northwest Team 13 has integrated with local fire districts to establish structure protection plans for the communities closest to the fire.

Updates on the fires in the RRSNF are available at: https://www.facebook.com/R6RRSNF