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Map showing tail closure due to the Middle Fork Fire
Local smoke production has increased from new and existing wildfires. Mostly GOOD today with a few smoke prone areas MODERATE. A change in wind patterns on Tuesday will bring smoke to areas that haven't had it in a week or more. Expect reduced visibility on I-5 early Wednesday morning along with degraded air quality west of the Cascades.
The Middle Fork Fire was discovered on July 17, 2024 and is burning in the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park. A Complex Incident Management Team is managing the Middle Fork Fire in addition to the nearby Diamond Complex. Fire managers are employing a full-suppression firefighting strategy, while working to minimize risks to responders and the public.
| Current as of | Tue, 09/03/2024 - 11:09 |
|---|---|
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Undetermined |
| Date of Origin | |
| Location | Crater Lake National Park; Middle Fork area |
| Incident Commander | Incident Commander Debbie Beard, Southern Area Gold Complex Incident Management Team |
| Coordinates |
43° 1' 37'' Latitude
-122° 13' 57
'' Longitude
|
| Total Personnel: | 38 |
|---|---|
| Size | 5,286 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 52% |
| Estimated Containment Date | 10/18/2024 |
| Fuels Involved | Timber (Grass and Understory) Narrative: |
| Significant Events | Moderate Narrative: |
| Planned Actions |
Construct direct line using MIST tactics. Suppression repair all areas impacted by suppression efforts to the specifications outlined in the suppression repair plan. Repair work along Crater Lake Highway will be suspended from 8/31/24 through 9/2/2024 to open the North Entrance to public traffic visiting Crater Lake National Park over the Labor Day weekend. The road closure will be back in effect on 9/3/2024 and work along the road will resume. |
|---|---|
| Projected Incident Activity |
12 hours: Minimal fire activity expected overnight unless dry lightning produces new starts. 24 hours: Minimal fire behavior expected as excellent RH recovery is forecast overnight with cooler than normal daytime temperatures. Daytime humidity is expected to be in the mid 30s. This combination of factors will minimize burn periods and discourage significant fire behavior. Smoldering and creeping possible. Outside chance that new ignitions could surface if lightning is experienced on the day prior. 48 hours: Minimal fire behavior expected, however, a warming and drying period is expected. Temperatures are forecast to return to normal (low 80s) with relative humidity values that could bottom out around 20%. Fire potential increasing, and fire activity likely increasing in the form of an uptick in smoldering and creeping. 72 hours: Warmer and dryer conditions remain. Winds remain relatively low, but no precipitation is expected. Fire danger continues to gradually increase, with increasing potential for low end fire activity. Low potential for escape, but minor smoldering and creeping or reburn is possible. No precipitation is expected. Anticipated after 72 hours: Fuels remain dry and fire potential continues to gradually increase. Conditions remain warm with low humidity. ERC values continue to increase daily. Threat to containment is not likely but is not zero chance either. Approaching weather system needs to be monitored for potential enhanced fire weather conditions. |
| Remarks |
The administrative closure to the public was lifted for the holiday weekend along the North entrance road advances. The Pacific Crest National Trail through the north side of the park is also closed impacting both day and thru hikers. This will impact day visitation from the Diamond Lake area. Oregon's only national park, Crater Lake, is a major economic driver for the southern Oregon Cascades area as it attracts visitors from throughout the country and internationally. The vast majority of these visits occur in July, August and September with overall visitor expenditures estimated at over $51 million in local gateways to the park. These expenditures directly support over 700 jobs, nearly $28 million in labor income, over $42 million in value added, and nearly $75 million in economic output in local gateway economies surrounding the Park. Even short term periods of closures or reduced visitation has consequences to the area economy. *Resources in block 48 are supported or augmented by resources on the Diamond Complex. |
| Weather Concerns | CURRENT PREDICTED |
|---|