AGNESS — The spread of the Blossom fire slowed Wednesday and parts of the Rogue River were reopened to boaters, but firefighters say it still is only 20 percent contained.

The river reopened to commercial boaters in the nine miles from Grave Creek to Black Bar, but remained closed from there to Marial. "It's pretty much quiet along most parts of the fire right now,'' said Chris Friend, spokesman for fire agencies.

The fire was at 8,644 acres Wednesday, up 255 acres from Tuesday.

Fifteen homes, four commercial properties and several dozen outbuildings are still listed as threatened. "I don't think they're in imminent threat now,'' Friend said.