Single Publication

The daily infrared mapping flight was not completed yesterday so acreages have not been updated. The Diamond Complex on the Umpqua National Forest is still estimated at 5,622 acres and 11% contained, with 506 people assigned. The Middle Fork fire within Crater Lake National Park is still estimated at 728 acres and 1% contained with 19 people assigned. The park remains open. There are fire personnel in the area, so visitors should use caution when traveling within the park. 

The Umpqua National Forest increased Public Use Restrictions to Level 3 across all ranger districts of the forest in response to the drying conditions and increased fire activity. More information can be found at bit.ly/3xIZZdK. Broken Arrow, Diamond Lake, and Thielsen View Campgrounds are open and taking reservations through www.recreation.gov 

The Trail fire, east of Hwy 138 on the west slope of Mt. Thielsen, is 839 acres and 40% contained. The fire will be monitored from the air and firefighters will respond as needed.

The Lemolo fire, north of Lemolo Lake on Bunker Hill, is 873 acres and 10% contained. Firefighters continued strategic burning operations to strengthen containment on the north edge and made good progress to tie the containment line on the western flank to the Lemolo Lake Road. 

The Pine Bench fire, north of Hwy 138 near Dry Creek, is 2,117 acres and 10% contained. Crews continue to hold and mop up along the FS 4775 Road and patrol the 900 Road and Hwy 138. Work is underway to build indirect contingency fire line by opening and brushing roads to the east and north of the fire, to be used if the fire were to move out of the Boulder Creek Wilderness.

Crews on both the Watson fire, 236 acres and 50% contained, and Loafer fire, 37 acres and 50% contained, will continue their successful containment and mop up on these fires.

Bear Trap, 64 acres and 50% contained, 2 miles south of Hwy 138 near Bear Trap Mountain now has a control line around the entire fire and crews are mopping up.

Ooya, 190 acres and 0% contained, north of Hwy 138 about 1 mile northeast of Bird Point. Work is underway to remove hazardous snags (standing dead trees) to establish safe access to begin active work on the fire. There is significant power infrastructure to the south of this fire, making it a high priority as firefighters are reassigned from other fires. 

Potter, 747 acres and 0% contained, north of Hwy 138 about 2 miles southeast of Potter Mountain. Crews are assessing access points to work on containing this fire, to protect critical hydropower infrastructure below the fire.

Brodie, 121 acres and 0% contained, about 5 miles south of Hwy 138 and south of Devils Canyon. Teams of fallers and a roadside chipping operation are underway to establish safe and effective access for firefighters, who are employing a mix of direct and indirect line to contain the fire.

Trep, 133 acres and 0% contained, about 4 miles south of Hwy 138. This fire became active in yesterday’s hotter and drier weather, burning about 1.5 miles eastward toward the Lost fire, 25 acres and 0% contained. These fires may require containment as a single perimeter.

Other fires within the complex consist of:  Pig Iron near Pig Iron Mountain north of Hwy 138, is 27 acres and 95% contained;  Rough, 11 acres and 25% contained,  Garwood, 5 acres and 95% contained, about 3 miles southwest of Mt. Bailey; Slide, 0.1 acres and 95% contained, northeast of Pine Bench;; Clearwater, 0.7 acre and 100% contained, south of Hwy 138 about 5 miles northwest of Diamond Lake; Elephant, 0.7 acres and 95% contained, 2 miles southwest of Lemolo Lake;   Sheep, 0.3 acres and 95% contained, 3 miles north of Diamond Lake; Thin, 0.6  acre and 95% contained, four miles northwest of Diamond Lake; Trap, 15 acres and 0% contained, 1 mile south of Hwy 138 near Trap Mountain; Campwood, 20 acres and 25% contained, 2 miles south of Hwy 138;  Birds, 0.1 acres and 100% contained; Wood, 23 acres and 25% contained, 2 miles south of Hwy 138, Mowich, 0.4 acre and 95% contained, 1 mile north of Hwy 138,  Toolbox, 0.1 acres and 95% contained, New 19,  0.1 acres and 0% contained; and Canal, 1 acre and 75% contained.

The Middle Fork fire is in the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park. This fire has been primarily burning in the scars of previous fires but became very active yesterday when it reached an area of green timber that had not burned recently. The fire remains within the park and did not burn toward critical infrastructure. Firefighters withdrew to a safe distance and will assess the current perimeter today for opportunities to create a new containment strategy. 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 until further notice due to potentially hazardous conditions.   

Weather: A warming and drying trend is underway, with temperature forecasted to reach the low 90s and relative humidity around 20%. Winds will be from the northwest at 5-8 mph with gusts to 15 mph. There is a chance for scattered thunderstorms with dry lightning and gusty winds, beginning this evening and extending through Saturday.

Fire Behavior: Fire behavior has been largely limited to surface fire with slow spread. With hotter and drier weather, the fire will become more active, with isolated group torching, short and scattered crown runs, and increased spotting distance.

Smoke Outlook: Smoke production will increase with increased fire behavior. 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/ 

Fire prevention: As the weather warms and dries, the potential for rapid fire growth will increase in this area for the foreseeable future. Please be very careful with any potential ignition sources. Don’t park in dry grass, and make sure tow chains do not drag. Please be mindful of campfire restrictions and appropriate use of liquid fuel stoves. 

Closures and 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 impact all of 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: bit.ly/3xIZZdK.

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