Single Publication

Today, the Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3, Incident Commander Mike Behrens, assumed command of the Diamond Complex and Middle Fork Fire.  

The Diamond Complex on the Umpqua National Forest consists of 27 lightning-caused fires totaling approximately 6,315 acres, with 513 people assigned. The containment percentages vary per fire. Resources are shared with the Middle Fork Fire, which is also being managed by the Northern Rockies CIMT3. The Middle Fork Fire in the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park has 30 people assigned. Crater Lake National Park remains open. 

KEY MESSAGES: Due to an active fire season, resources are stretched thin in the Pacific Northwest and across the nation. Fires are prioritized to address those most threatening critical values at risk. The highest priorities for protection are the fires threatening life, property, transportation, hydropower infrastructure and developed recreation areas.  

OPERATIONS:  

Middle Fork Fire (1,938 acres, 1% contained): Crews are using heavy equipment to open old fire lines from the 2015 National Creek Complex fires to stop the Middle Fork’s northward spread and confine it within the park. Firefighters are doing some structure protection work around the north entrance. On the west side, crews are working on a shaded fuel break and opening roads that parallel Highway 230. The Pacific Crest Trail from the Dutton Ridge Intersection to Hwy 138, Lightning Springs, Bald Crater Loop, Bert Creek and Boundary Springs Trails (within the park) are closed.     

Diamond Complex Fires 

Pine Bench Fire (North of Hwy 138 near Dry Creek, 2,143 acres, 15% contained): Yesterday, firefighters used helicopters to drop water where fire crossed Boulder Creek two days ago. On the east side, crews are mopping up (cooling hot spots). To the west, firefighters are constructing handline up a ridge system to tie into a road system. Structure protection assessments are also occurring to the east of the fire. 

Potter Fire (North of Hwy 138, 2 miles southeast of Potter Mountain, 989 acres, 0% contained): South of the fire, crews are prepping critical Pacificorp hydropower infrastructure. This work includes clearing vegetation from around trestles, wrapping supports, and setting up sprinkler systems. 

Trep Fire (About four miles south of Hwy 138, 252 acres, 0% contained): This fire saw increased activity yesterday. Fire managers are putting more resources and equipment on this fire, looking for opportunities to pick up spots to the east and keep it out of Bear Creek.  

Ooya Fire (North of Hwy 138, one mile northeast of Bird Point, 175 acres 0% contained): Fire managers are re-staffing the Ooya Fire and looking at road systems in the northeast corner for opportunities to stop the fire. Significant power infrastructure is to the south of this fire, making it a high priority. 

Brodie Fire (Five miles south of Hwy 138, south of Devils Canyon, 165 acres, 0% contained): Fire managers are re-staffing the Brodie Fire and assessing road systems for opportunities where the fire is currently checked up to keep it in its current footprint. 

Lemolo Fire (North of Lemolo Lake on Bunker Hill, 1246 acres, 20% contained): As conditions trend warmer and drier, firefighters will look for opportunities to burn out pockets of vegetation between the fire and Lemolo Lake Road. Crews will continue to cool hot spots and patrol areas where firing operations previously occurred. 

Trail Fire (East of Hwy 138 on the west slope of Mt. Thielsen, 843 acres, 40% contained): Crews will look at areas still containing heat and assess structure protection needs around Diamond Lake.  

Bear Trap Fire (Two miles south of Hwy 138 near Bear Trap Mountain, 64 acres, 50% contained): The fire now has a control line around the entire fire and crews are mopping up. 

Watson Fire (237 acres, 50% contained), and Loafer Fire (40 acres, 50% contained): Crews will continue their successful containment and mop up on these fires. 

Other fires within the Diamond Complex:   

Trap Fire (One mile south of Hwy 138 near Trap Mountain, 16 acres, 0% contained)   

Rough Fire (11 acres, 25% contained)  

Campwood Fire (Two miles south of Hwy 138, 20 acres, 25% contained)  

Wood Fire (Two miles south of Hwy 139, 23 acres, 25% contained)  

Canal Fire (1 acre, 75% contained) 

Slide Fire (Northeast of Pine Bench, 0.1 acres, 95% contained) 

Elephant Fire (Two miles southwest of Lemolo Lake, 0.7 acres, 95% contained) 

Sheep Fire (Three miles north of Diamond Lake, 0.3 acres, 95% contained)  

Thin Fire (Four miles northwest of Diamond Lake, 0.6 acre, 95% contained)  

Pig Iron Fire (Near Pig Iron Mountain north of Hwy 138, 27 acres, 95% contained) 

Garwood Fire (About three miles southwest of Mt. Bailey, 5 acres, 95% contained) 

Mowich Fire (One mile north of Hwy 138, 0.4 acre, 95% contained)  

Toolbox Fire (0.1 acres, 95% contained)  

Fires 100% contained: Clearwater Fire (0.7 acre), Birds Fire (0.1 acres), Dog Fire (0.1 acres) 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:  The drying trend that started yesterday will continue today with warmer temperatures and lower humidity. Today’s predicted fire behavior will depend partially on smoke conditions. If the day is clear with little smoke, the fires will see more sun with potentially more active fire behavior. However, if there is lots of smoke, this could slightly lower temperatures and increase relative humidity, tampering fire behavior. 

SMOKE OUTLOOK:  Smoke will remain in the area and may reduce visibility and hinder air operations. For the most up to date information, please visit fire.airnow.gov/  

CLOSURES, RESTRICTIONS, EVACUATIONS: Umpqua National Forest has issued two closures across the forest in response to fire activity to protect public and wildland firefighter safety. Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-24-03 and Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-02-24-01 impacts all the Cottage Grove Ranger District, most of the Diamond Lake Ranger District, and parts of the Tiller and North Umpqua Ranger Districts. The closure orders can be found here: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices. Fire danger is set at Very High, and Public Use Restrictions are set at Level 3: https://tinyurl.com/PublicUseRestrictions. Broken Arrow, Diamond Lake, and Thielsen View Campgrounds are open and taking reservations through www.recreation.gov   

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has downgraded the evacuation order for the Trail Fire from a Level 2: BE SET to a Level 1: Get Ready, but the Level 3: GO NOW remains in effect for the Trail Fire east of Hwy 138. The Level 2: BE SET and Level 3: GO NOW evacuations for the Lemolo Fire remain in place. There is still a Level 2: BE SET for the Pine Bench Fire. For more information visit the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office website: www.dcso.com/evacuations