12 SEPTEMBER 2025 | GALICE, OR. -- The Moon Complex is about 3,930 acres and at 4% containment, burning in the Wild Rogue Wilderness. Read the 9/12 update here. Firefighters have been up against accessing the fire in the rugged slopes between the Rogue River and Panther Ridge. But recent weather has slowed spread, and firefighters have been using another asset: trails recently maintained by SMC crews.
Volunteers work Panther Ridge Trail in May 2023
The Panther Ridge and Clay Hill trails have "provided quicker opportunities to identify and begin implementation as potential contingency lines," writes Alyssa Archuleta of the incident command team in an email response to our queries.
Volunteers take a break at Hanging Rock May 2023
There's 616 personnel working the fire, according to today's update. Those fire crews have been building fire line along trail corridors we've serviced recently. Crews worked both the Panther Ridge and Clay Hill trails in 2023.
Crew leader Tiffani Ayres maintains aggressive trail prism through the rhododendron tunnel
"When trails are roadways are in good condition," she goes on, "...they provide easier access for fire personnel to move through the landscape and build situational awareness." Archuleta indicates that well-maintained trails can "also serve as effective line control line options...their good condition allows fire personnel to establish lines more quickly and with fewer resources."
Clay Hill Trail 2022
"This has only become more common as we've expanded our reach and wildfires have gotten worse," says executive director Gabriel Howe. "It turns out these trails were built for a reason and it makes sense to keep them open."