Incident Publication

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Tamaño de Whisky Creek: 2,092 acres | Fecha de inicio: 20 de julio   |Causa: De orígen humano   |Contención 25%

Tamaño de Sandstone: 702 acres | Fecha de inicio: 5 de agosto   |  Causa: Rayo   |   Contención 75%

Total de recursos: 469 | Equipos de obreros: 6 | Camiones de bomberos: 6 | Topadoras: 2 | Maquinarias pesadas: 10 | Helicópteros: 4

Si llega a haber nuevos fuegos en el área, los bomberos, los camiones de bomberos y otros recursos permanecen disponibles en los incendios Whisky Creek y Sandstone si es necesario para ayudar con el ataque inicial. Estos incendios se encuentran en un terreno escarpado y accidentado en el Bosque Nacional Mt. Hood, donde los escombros rodantes y los árboles debilitados por el fuego dificultan el trabajo de extinción. Este fin de semana del Día del Trabajo, ayude a prevenir incendios forestales y proteja a los bomberos al recrear de manera responsable, respetando los cierres de incendios y cumpliendo con todas las restricciones contra incendios.

Whisky Creek:

Ayer, el clima más caliente y seco resultó en una intensidad un poco más fuerte en el interior que creó un humo ligero visible en la bifurcación este de Herman Creek. Los bomberos continuaron participando en el trabajo ligero de reparación de extinción, lo que incluye dispersar escombros leñosos, el astillado y la construcción de canales de agua sin que se comprometa la solidez de las líneas de control de incendios. Un grupo de trabajo que incluía equipos de mano, maquinarias pesadas y personal, así como tres helicópteros pesados que vertían agua, fueron desviados a un nuevo fuego que empezó en el área del campamento Knebal. El agresivo ataque inicial que realizaron frenó el fuego y lo mantuvo en unos nueve acres. Las cuadrillas también trabajan en limpiar las carreteras del Servicio Forestal (FSR) 2810 y 2820 con la ayuda de una excavadora y los camiones de agua que llegarán hoy.

Sandstone y Blister Creek:

Las cuadrillas continuaron con la reparación de extinción al terminar de triturar en el camino forestal 7015 y triturar los combustibles del incendio a lo largo del camino forestal 7020 hasta el ramal 150, así como a lo largo del camino forestal 6322. Las excavadoras removieron los escombros de las zanjas y las niveladoras repararon el camino forestal 4620. Los bomberos localizaron y controlaron algunos focos de calor cerca del perímetro del incendio para remover la amenaza de que empezaran fuegos salpicados. El incendio Blister Creek permanece dentro de su huella sin que se vea humo. Hoy los bomberos están limpiando alcantarillas y astillado a lo largo del camino forestal 7010 hasta la carretera ramal 160. Un sistema de aeronaves no tripuladas (UAS, por sus siglas en inglés) volará sobre el incendio Blister Creek en búsqueda de áreas de calor persistente con tecnología infrarroja. El personal también vigilará y patrullará el incendio Blister Creek, listos para atacar en caso de que el fuego se reavive.

Clima: El día de hoy, se verán temperaturas más frescas entre los 60 y los 70 grados y una mayor humedad relativa.

Cierres: Información sobre el cierre del Bosque Nacional Mt. Hood y el Área Escénica Nacional del Río Columbia se puede encontrar en escaneando el código QR o siguiendo el enlace en la esquina inferior derecha de la página. Los cierres se implementarn para la seguridad del público y de los equipos de bomberos.

Seguridad: El público juega un papel importante en la prevención del próximo incendio forestal. Tenga cuidado con cualquier fuente de ignición. Para obtener consejos de prevención, visite, https://keeporegongreen.org. Hay restricciones contra incendios dentro del Bosque Nacional Mt. Hood. Se puede ver más información en https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/mthood/fire.

Unified Command: CACIIMT15 & CAL FIRE 

Fire Size: 11,625 acres 

Percent Contained: 13%  

Personnel: 1,369 

Cause: Lightning 

Start Date: Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 10:05 AM 

Location: Southeast of Three Rivers, CA 

COFFEE POT FIRE PUBLIC MEETING: A public meeting about the Coffee Pot Fire will be held on Tuesday, September 3, at 6:00 PM at the Three Rivers Memorial Building: 43490 Sierra Drive, Three Rivers. Those unable to attend can watch the meeting live on the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Facebook page @SequoiaKingsNPS or YouTube channel @sequoiaandkingscanyonnps5018. 

EVACUATION NOTICES: The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office has issued two new Evacuation ORDERS due to current fire conditions for Genasys zones TLC-E094-C and TLC-E094-E. Zone TLC-E094-C: West of the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park boundary, north of the East Fork Kaweah River, and east of Oak Grove. Zone TLC-094-E: The Mineral King Road area, south of River Hill, east of Case Mountain, and west of Mitchell Ranch, including the Oak Grove community. Evacuation ORDERS remain in effect for zones TLC-E094-D and TLC-E094-B.  

An evacuation ORDER, also known as a mandatory evacuation, means that all residents and visitors should leave now before the fire reaches the community. If you are unable to evacuate and require assistance, please call 9-1-1. In case of sheltering needs or questions regarding sheltering, please contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.  

The Tulare County Fire Department has also issued Evacuation WARNINGS for zones TLC-E093-A, TLC-E093-B, TLC-E095, TLC-E127-B, and TLC-E128-A. The Evacuation ORDER for zone TLC-E128-B has been downgraded to a WARNING. To find your zone, please refer to: protect.genasys.com. 

CURRENT SITUATION: Yesterday, crews continued to prioritize the northern flank of the fire. Northwest of Case Mountain, firefighters identified a spot fire and worked directly to contain its spread. Firefighters also worked to slow the rate of spread along constructed control lines northeast of Case Mountain, using low-intensity firing operations, fire retardant, and aircraft water-drops as the fire reached the East Fork Kaweah River. Crews continued to brush and chip along Mineral King Road and to the east, the Fire Use Modules worked to construct indirect control lines moving north toward Horse Creek and Mineral King Road. Also on the east flank, firefighters constructed direct control lines around a spot fire outside the Eden Creek Grove of giant sequoias. To the south, mop up activities are continuing along the South Fork Kaweah River containment line. Crews on the western flank worked to construct direct control lines around a spot fire south of the Monache Tub Grove of giant sequoias, supported by aircraft water-drops. 

Today, firefighters on the northern flank will use aircraft low-intensity burning and water-drops to hold the fire at its containment line along the East Fork Kaweah River. Crews will continue working to contain a spot fire near Case Mountain in the northwest. On the eastern flank, firefighters will work to slow fire spread near the Eden Creek Grove of giant sequoias. To the south, firefighters will monitor the near complete containment along the South Fork Kaweah River and continue mop-up activities. On the western flank of the fire, crews are patrolling direct control lines to ensure containment. 

WEATHER: Warm and dry weather continues with sunny skies, haze, and smoke. Low pressure moving through to the north of the area will bring slightly cooler weather, with marginally higher humidity, and an uptick in southwesterly winds. General winds in early morning will be light out of the northeast, shifting to the southwest by mid-morning. A strong inversion will gradually rise in the morning and then break in the afternoon. There will be little change in the weather for Tuesday. 

SMOKE IMPACTS: Westerly winds will shift the smoke impacts today. Springville and Pinehurst should see less smoke, averaging MODERATE, with periods of conditions that are UNSAFE FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS. Three Rivers will see some relief, although smoke settling in overnight will still likely reach UNHEALTHY levels by the morning. Hammond and Mineral King will likely see slightly more smoke today, with levels reaching VERY UNHEALTHY at times. The Giant Forest will see UNHEALTHY conditions this afternoon and evening. Smoke is making its way east of the Sierra Nevada, which raised levels to UNSAFE FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS last night in Independence. This will lift by late morning and is unlikely to raise levels above MODERATE during the day. For more information on current wildfire smoke impacts in your community, please visit AirNow.gov or fire.airnow.gov. 

FIRE INFORMATION: Fire information will not be posted on Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Facebook or Instagram pages today. Fire information will be available on inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/caknp-coffee-pot-fire and videos will continue to be posted on the park’s YouTube channel at @sequoiaandkingscanyonnps5018. A Public Information Officer will be at the Three Rivers Village Market daily from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM to provide fire information and answer questions.  

BLM AND PARK CLOSURES: The portion of South Fork Drive within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and trails accessed from the road, including the Ladybug and Garfield Grove Trails, are closed. Park closure information is available online at nps.gov/seki. The Bureau of Land Management has also issued a closure of the Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area at blm.gov/press-release.  

PUBLIC NOTICE: Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t. For more information, visit knowbeforeyoufly.org. 

Homestead Complex Fire Update for Monday, September 2, 2024 

Start Date: July 19, 2024 | Location: 15 miles Northeast of Glide | Total Number of Fires: 7 | Total Personnel: 525 | Total Fire Acreage: 5,918 | Cause: Lightning | Overall Complex Containment: 60% 

Fire Operations Summary: 

Firefighters are working to complete and secure all remaining primary and secondary (contingency) control lines. This work includes using crews and heavy equipment to chip and haul away forest fuels near control lines (creating a stronger fuel break). Fire managers are tracking weather forecasts that may produce favorable conditions for planned tactical burnout operations on the Horse Heaven and No Man fires.  Patrol and mop-up operations continue, and suppression repair groups are working to minimize the fire impacts to resources, lands, and facilities resulting from firefighting operations. Firefighters are prepared to do initial attack on any new fire starts within the delegated fire operations area and to support local fire resources. Three of the seven fires on the complex have now reached 100% containment, these include the Salmon 33 Fire (275 ac.) on August 24, 2024, the Reynolds Butte Fire (334 ac.) on August 22, 2024, and the Lost Bucket Fire (34 ac.) on July 29, 2024. 

On the No Man Fire (2,076 ac., containment: 28%), the fire continues to hold within control lines. Chipping operations will continue to strengthen primary and secondary (contingency) containment lines in preparation for possible burnout operations. On the Horse Heaven Creek Fire (2,304 ac., containment: 64%), crews will continue improving control lines doing chipping along roads northeast of the fire and setting the stage for possible burnout operations. Crews will continue to patrol and keep the fire checked-up along handline in the northwest corner down in the Horse Heaven Creek area. Efforts on the ground have been aided by helicopter bucket drops. On the Bullpup (473 ac., containment: 17%) and Fuller Lake fires (426 ac., containment: 5%) work is nearing completion to reinforce primary and secondary lines on the 300 and 200 roads located just west of these fires. Yesterday, helicopter bucket drops were used to reduce fire behavior along the east and west flanks of the Fuller Lake Fire. Suppression repair work will continue on the Reynolds Butte and Lost Bucket fires. 

Weather: Continued cooler temperatures with a small chance of thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening. Highs will be in the upper 60s to low 70s. Any rain accompanying storm activity is expected to be limited. Winds will start out the day as terrain driven then changing to northwesterly in the afternoon. 

Closures and Fire Restrictions: 

The closure order issued by Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Roseburg District, for portions of BLM land which border the Umpqua National Forest Emergency Fire Closure north of Steamboat remains in effect: https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2024-07/orwa-fpo-rbg-072624.pdf  

On August 30, 2024, the Umpqua National Forest decreased Public Use Restrictions (PURs) to Level 2, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umpqua/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1202470. For more information on PURs, IFPLs, or other fire management information, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/umpqua/fire 

The Umpqua National Forest ranger stations will be closed on Monday, September 2, 2024, in observance of Labor Day. 

There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the Homestead Complex Fire. Please remember, if you fly we can’t! If a drone or other aircraft enters the air space, all firefighting aviation equipment will be grounded. 

Fire Information Line: 541-208-7100 (Staffed 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) 
Email: 2024.homesteadcomplex@firenet.gov 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HomesteadComplexFireInfo/ 
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orupf-homestead-complex 

2024.WillametteComplex.North@firenet.gov

Information line: 541-208-1262, 8 am to 8 pm
Facebook: https://facebook.com/OreFireInformation2024;

                 https://www.facebook.com/PyramidFireInfo2024/

Inciweb: Willamette Complex North

Northwest Team 7 and the Willamette National Forest acknowledge the four-year anniversary of the Holiday Farm Fire and the rest of the Labor Day firestorm that occurred in Western Oregon in 2020. 

SUPPRESSION OBJECTIVES: The Ore Fire and the Pyramid Fire remain under a full suppression strategy to protect values at risk, including the Middle Santiam Wilderness and private timberlands. Firefighters are building direct fire line where possible, and strategic indirect containment line as needed. 

CURRENT SITUATION:  Firefighters continue to make progress, with the Ore fire showing an increase of containment to forty-two percent. Weather continues to moderate over the fire with temperatures decreasing and humidities increasing. However, temperatures will increase by Wednesday and fire behavior may increase into the first week of September. Helicopters dumped over eighty bucket drops to help ground resources work hot and heavy fuels. Air resources will again serve both the Ore and Pyramid fires and the District and Forest for initial attack response. 

Ore Fire: 7 miles Northeast of Blue River, 3,296 acres, 42% contained, 644 total personnel, human caused. Unmanned aerial ignitions resumed in the Waterfall Creek drainage on the southwest side of the fire. Firing took place from the 1509 road to cleanup the unburned material that the aerial ignitions could not reach. The spot fire reported on August 30th has required felling of overhead hazards to mitigate risk to firefighters. Firefighters worked towards a fifty-foot mop up from the containment line to be completed by the end of the shift. They will continue to gain more depth in the subsequent operational shifts. 

Pyramid Fire: East of Middle Santiam Wilderness, 1,312 Acres, 98% contained, 230 total personnel, lightning caused. Firefighters worked with heavy equipment in a coordinated effort to remove hazardous material away from the fire line. Crews patrolled dozer lines on the west side of the fire to check for and locate any heat sources. 

CLOSURES & FIRE RESTRICTIONS UPDATE:  Willamette National Forest closures for all fires can be found here: Willamette National Forest - Alerts & Closures (usda.gov)  Specific closure maps for the Pyramid Fire can be found here. Specific closure maps for the Ore Fire can be found here.

Everyone is reminded to stay out of all fire closures for firefighter and general safety. Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of up to $5,000. All campfires, charcoal fires, pellet fires, or any other open fires are prohibited, including in developed campgrounds and wilderness areas. Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns, and heaters that can be switched on and off are allowed. Please see Forest Order 06-18-00-24-27 for additional information.

Size: 851 acres   Location: 5 miles west of Crescent Lake Junction, OR   County: Klamath  

Start Date: July 17, 2024   Cause: Lightning   Containment: 0%   Total Personnel: 132

Activities – Crews continued to haul chips out of the area between Odell Lake and Crescent Lake and clean up the shaded fuel break. Dump trucks and excavators are working again today to reduce the chip depth in the area. Hand crews made good progress on the shaded fuel break between Crescent Lake and Summit Lake.

Closures – To provide for the safety of firefighters, equipment operators, and the public, the Deschutes National Forest emergency closure around Crescent Lake and in the Diamond Peak Wilderness is still in effect. Forest Service Road 60 is closed, and road guards have been posted for public safety. The emergency closure is being reevaluated daily as conditions continue to change. More closure information is available at: https://www.fsa.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices/?aid=89091 

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is closed from north of the Windigo Pass (mile 1883.5) to Highway 58 (mile 1909.5) due to the Red Fire and Willamette Complex South in the Diamond Peak Wilderness. The Diamond Complex has also closed lands to the west of the trail. Refer to the PCT Closures App and the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) for current and accurate trail closure information for the PCT.

The 2024 season for commercially harvesting Matsutake mushrooms will open for the Deschutes National Forest the day after Labor Day, September 3, and will close November 4, 2024. A commercial permit must be purchased for the picking of any Matsutake mushrooms on National Forests that are harvested for resale. The emergency fire closure that is currently in place for part of the Crescent Ranger District due to the Red Fire and may impact certain harvesting locations. 

Incident Weather, Fire Behavior, and Smoke – A low pressure system will move across the fire area Monday into Tuesday morning. This system will moderate temperatures, raise relative humidity, increase cloud cover, and produce potentially mostly dry thunderstorms. Fire activity is expected to moderate with somewhat cooler and more humid weather today coupled with cloud cover. Single tree torching can be anticipated along with low intensity upslope surface runs.

Strategy – A full suppression strategy is being implemented utilizing indirect tactics, shaded fuel breaks, structure protection equipment, trail, and hose lay. Firefighter and public safety remain the incident management team’s highest priority in managing this fire. Expect to see increased fire activity due to the warmer and dryer conditions.

Evacuations – The WILDFIRE! Level 1 – BE READY to Evacuate notice issued by Klamath County Emergency Management for Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, and Crescent Junction areas remains in effect (INCENDIO FORESTAL! Nivel 1 - ESTÉ PREPARADO para evacuar de las siguientes zonas: Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, Crescent Junction). Visit www.klamathcounty.org/300/emergency-management for more information or to sign up for alerts.

Fire Restrictions – Stage 2 Public Use Fire Restrictions – which prohibit open fires, including in developed campgrounds – remain in effect for the Deschutes National Forest. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level is currently Level III “Partial Shutdown.” Visit fs.usda.gov/detail/deschutes/home/?cid=stelprdb5297376 for more information.  

Drone Restrictions – Aerial firefighting is suspended when unauthorized drones are in the area. Unauthorized drone use over a fire area poses serious risks to fire personnel and the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. If you fly, we can’t. 

11:00 AM, September 2, 2024

Estimated size: 211 acres
Start Date/Time: July 17, 2024
Area of Origin: Johannesburg Mountain. 1 Mile East of Mineral Park C.G.
Cause: Lightning
Fuels/Topography: Timber, rugged terrain
Structures Damaged: None, there are no homes threatened at this time.
Evacuations: None

Closures: Cascade River Road at and including Marble Creek Campground, Mineral Park Campground, and all tributary roads, trailheads, and trails are all closed. The public is not to enter the area for public and firefighter safety.
Full closure orders available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/mbs

Update: As the warming weather trend is forecasted to continue through the week with minimal chance of rainfall, firefighter crews are continuing to monitor and track hotspots on the Pincer Two fire. Overcast skies Monday may negatively impact aerial reconnaissance flights, resulting in their resumption on Tuesday.

Weather: A weak weather system passing over the area today will produce cooler temperatures along with a slight chance of an afternoon shower or thunderstorm, but little to no rainfall is expected. An upper level ridge will rebuild over the area midweek for a return of warmer and dry conditions. High temperature around 77°F with light winds in the morning becoming west around 6 mph in the afternoon. Gusty and erratic winds expected near thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Smoke: For more information on smoke and air quality please visit: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Air Space Restrictions: There are no air space restrictions at this time.

Forest Restrictions: The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie has lifted the full campfire ban and forest-wide shooting restrictions, effective 8/28/2024. Additional details at: www.fs.usda.gov/mbs
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Middle Fork Complex Update
Monday, September 2, 2024

Fire Size: 56,806
Completion: 14%
Total Resources: 934

Community Meeting
A community meeting is scheduled for today Monday, September 2nd, at 6 p.m. at the White Barn Building, near 85 Severance Road, Garden Valley, Idaho. The Incident Commander, key team members, and Boise National Forest representatives will provide updates on the fire and answer any questions. 

Weather and Fire Behavior
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for today. The inversion that had a modifying effect on the fire the past few days has lifted and will be replaced by high winds accompanied by thunderstorms. These storms may produce strong outflow winds, small hail, and lightning. Fire behavior analysts are expecting very active fire behavior today, with spotting and torching likely as winds increase. 

Operations
Crews continue to focus their efforts on structure protection in the Silver Creek and Boiling Springs areas near the Bulldog Fire. Moderate fire behavior allowed them to continue building an indirect containment line towards the Rattlesnake trail system. There was some growth on the eastern side of the fire in the Lightning Creek drainage while the west side of the fire remains secure and under observation. 

Successful operations on the southwestern side of the Nellie Fire and near Deadwood Reservoir may prove beneficial in advance of the problematic weather. Firefighters working day and night shifts have observed no additional fire activity or growth along the Highway 17 corridor. At Deadwood Reservoir, crews established a direct fire line east of the lake, connecting it to the Bearskin and Pioneer fire scars. They are making good progress building direct line on the western side of the lake and on the peninsulas, as well. 

Fire is moving into the Pioneer and Bearskin fire scars on the eastern and southern sides of the Deadwood Reservoir. Crews have focused on constructing lines into previous fire scars. Fire spread and growth slow down when it enters a previously burned area, which gives firefighters more options for management and control. Incoming Red Flag weather will put the last few days of preparation to the test.  

When the inversion lifted late yesterday, air operations resumed. Helicopters bolstered efforts on the southwestern side of the Deadwood Reservoir yesterday afternoon. One Type 1 and two Type 2 helicopters supported crews with water drops.  

Closures
The Boise National Forest has issued Order Number 0402-06-60, effective August 23, 2024. Highway 21 is closed from the Sourdough Lodge in Lowman to Stanley (MP 84 to 130) due to wildfire activity. Only local traffic is permitted between the Sourdough Lodge and Warm Springs Airstrip. For additional information, visit https://511.idaho.gov/

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR)
A TFR is in effect over the fire area. It is illegal for the public to fly drones over or near wildfires due to the risk of accidents and interference with firefighting efforts.

11:00 AM, September 2, 2024

Estimated size: 1,098 acres
Start Date/Time: July 17, 2024
Area of Origin: 21 air miles east of Darrington WA
Cause: Lightning
Fuels/Topography: timber, rugged terrain
Structures Damaged: None, there are no homes threatened at this time.
Evacuations: None

The Miners Complex consists of eight wildfires caused by lightning strikes in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The fires included in the complex are Miners Fire, Vista Ridge Fire, Dolly Creek Fire, Sulphur Three Fire, Sulphur Four Fire, Sulphur Thirty-Four Fire, Plummer, and Middle Ridge Fire.

Update: The warming weather trend is forecasted to continue through the week. Firefighter crews continue patrols of the Miners Complex along with accompanying rehab work. Overcast skies on Monday may result in delays to aerial reconnaissance flights, which will resume on Tuesday when skies clear.

Weather: A weak weather system passing over the area today will produce cooler temperatures along with a slight chance of an afternoon shower or thunderstorm, but little to no rainfall is expected. An upper level ridge will rebuild over the area midweek for a return of warmer and dry conditions. High temperature around 77°F with light winds in the morning becoming west around 6 mph in the afternoon. Gusty and erratic winds expected near thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Smoke: For more information on smoke and air quality please visit: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Closures: The following is a summary of the areas closed due to the fires in the Miners Complex: Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail #2000.2 from Mica Lake to Suiattle Pass, Suiattle River Trail #784, Miners Ridge Trail #785, Buck Creek Pass Trail #789, Miners Cabin Trail #795, Grassy Point Trail #788, Sulphur Mountain Trail #794, Sulphur Creek Trail #793, Sulphur Creek Campground, Sulphur Creek Trailhead, and the Downey Creek trailhead. Suiattle River Road, closure beginning at Downey Creek trailhead. The full Closure Orders visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/mbs Forest Restrictions: The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie has lifted the full campfire ban and forest-wide shooting restrictions, effective 8/28/2024. Additional details at: www.fs.usda.gov/mbs
 

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Diamond Complex

• Size: 11,141 acres
• Containment: 78%
• Personnel: 927
• Location: 18 miles SW of Chemult, OR
• Start Date: July 19, 2024
• Cause: Undetermined

Middle Fork Fire

• Size: 5,282 acres
• Containment: 48% 
• Personnel: 75
• Location: Crater Lake National Park
• Start Date: July 17, 2024
• Cause: Undetermined

Visitor and Firefighter Safety, Fire Restrictions and Closures

Throughout the Labor Day holiday, expect heavy traffic including firefighting equipment. Drivers on Hwy. 230, which is on the northwest side of Crater Lake National Park, should be especially cautious. Firefighters are using heavy equipment to remove downed and dead wood in this area. 

Slow down when approaching areas of firefighter activity. Minimize distractions and focus on driving. Please be patient, keep your eyes on the road and be aware of your surroundings. 

For your safety and ours, do not enter closed areas. Barriers may not block the entire roadway to allow for firefighter traffic. However, the public should not drive past these barriers. Areas are closed because of fire activity, falling trees, heavy equipment and road grading operations. Drivers entering closed areas endanger themselves and disrupt firefighters’ work. 

The Umpqua National Forest, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and Crater Lake National Park have different fire restrictions in place. Crater Lake National Park has implemented a fire ban whereas the Umpqua and Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests have Level 2 fire restrictions. Know where you are and follow restriction information posted on the forests’ and national park’s websites.

• Crater Lake National Park: https://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm
• Umpqua National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/umpqua
• Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou 

Current Fire Situation

Fires were moderately active yesterday. However, it was within current fire footprints and did not threaten containment lines. Despite warm, dry weather and afternoon winds, firefighters made good progress on fires in the Diamond Complex and increased containment on the Middle Fork Fire. An initial attack crew is ready to respond to any new starts from possible dry thunderstorms today.

Middle Fork Fire

Firefighters increased containment, securing lines on the south and west sides. Today, they will focus on scouting and patrolling lines on the north and east sides. Crews will continue suppression repair and heavy road work especially on Highway 230 where they are removing downed and dead wood. 

Diamond Complex

• Pine Bench Fire (north of Hwy. 138 near Dry Creek, 3,976 acres, 65% contained): Yesterday, firefighters focused on mopping up heat on the east side of the fire. Today they will focus on heat on the north and northwest side of the fire. Crews also will continue suppression repair and pulling excess equipment.
• Potter Fire (north of Hwy. 138, 2 miles southeast of Potter Mountain, 3,428 acres, 38% contained): Yesterday, firefighters continued monitoring heat in the fire’s interior and found nothing threatening containment lines. Helicopters dropped water on the north side to knock down fire activity, allowing firefighters on the ground to mop up cooled areas. On the east side of the fire, firefighters found heat under the duff layers of heavy timber stands. Crews will continue to patrol and monitor, hold and improve line and clean up around the water flume. On the southwest side of the fire, due to concerns about the possibility of fire moving into dead timber from an earlier fire, firefighters are working on a fuel break plan. Crews will continue chipping operations and road work on the north and east sides of the fire. 
• Lemolo Fire (north of Lemolo Lake, 1,246 acres, 100% contained): Yesterday helicopters dropped water to cool flare ups in needle cast. Firefighters will continue to monitor and mop up heat. 
• Multiple fires within the complex: Firefighters will continue patrolling and mopping up hotspots. Where possible, crews are repairing areas disturbed by wildfire suppression including chipping, brushing and installing water bars to minimize future soil erosion.

Weather and Fire Behavior        

A low-pressure system coming on shore is bringing cooler temperatures and higher humidity. High temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s expected with west winds gusting to 18 mph along ridgelines. There is a 30% chance of thunderstorms moving over the fire area and a 5% chance of wetting rain. Storms will be capable of producing frequent lightning and outflow gusts of 40 mph. Tuesday will be cool and dry. A warming, drying trend returns mid-week.

Cooler, moister weather will reduce fire activity to smoldering and creeping. Higher activity is possible if winds increase. 

Smoke Outlook

Local smoke has increased from new and existing wildfires. For more information, visit outlooks.airfire.org/outlook and fire.airnow.gov.

Evacuations

No evacuations are in place.

Forest Closure and Fire Restrictions

Umpqua National Forest has decreased Public Use Restrictions to Level 2. The forest remains in High Fire Danger and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels are at Level 2. For more information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umpqua/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1202470. 

Umpqua National Forest’s current closure order allows access to specific roads, trails and campgrounds, which are listed as exemptions in Forest Order 06-15-24-07. For more information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umpqua/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1202210.

A closure is in place on Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest for the area north and west of Crater Lake National Park along Hwy. 230 south to the intersection with Hwy. 62. The closure order and a map are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices.

All Umpqua National Forest Ranger Stations are closed today in observance of Labor Day.

Park Closure and Fire Restrictions

Crater Lake National Park remains open. However, several closures are in effect. For details, visit  https://www.nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit/conditions.htm.

The north entrance to Crater Lake National Park will remain open until 6 a.m. tomorrow. Fire operations may necessitate temporary closures or delays along the North Entrance Road. 

Traffic at park entrances will be busier than usual throughout the day. Long lines and waits of up to 2 hours are expected at both entrance stations. Arriving before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m. may reduce wait times. If you are not visiting the park, consider avoiding Hwy. 62. 

At 6 a.m. tomorrow and continuing until further notice, the North Entrance will be closed to all traffic to allow hazard reduction work related to the Middle Fork Fire to resume. During this time, access to the park will be limited to the South Entrance. 

Know before you go. Check the latest conditions and road status before you arrive at your destination to ensure a smooth, enjoyable visit. Updates are available on the park website at https://www.nps.gov/crla and on Oregon Tripcheck at https://www.tripcheck.com.

REMINDER: The Pacific Crest Trail between the Lightning Springs and Rim Trail Intersections, Bald Crater Loop, Bert Creek and Boundary Springs Trails are closed until further notice due to potentially hazardous conditions created by the Middle Fork Fire. Hikers and bikers may not use the North Entrance Road to enter or leave Crater Lake National Park.

Temporary flight restrictions (TFRs)

TFRs are in place over the Middle Fork Fire https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_8387.html (6 a.m. to 9 a.m. local time to accommodate uncrewed aircraft systems work) and https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_7055.html (9 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time). TFRs are also in place over the Potter and Pine Bench Fires https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_7055.html (9 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time).