Single Publication

The Diamond Complex on the Umpqua National Forest consists of 28 lightning-caused fires totaling approximately 10,455 acres, with 832 people assigned. A new start was discovered recently. The Middle Fork Fire in the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park has 38 people assigned, and the Diamond Complex is sharing resources as needed. The park remains open.

KEY MESSAGES: For public and firefighter safety, the North Entrance Road in the park is temporarily closed for firefighters to prepare control lines with machinery along that road. For details, visit https://www.nps.gov/crla/learn/news/crater-lake-temporarily-closes-north-entrance-for-the-middle-fork-fire.htm 

Seventeen of the 28 fires in the Diamond Complex are now 100 percent contained.

OPERATIONS:

Middle Fork Fire (5,075 acres, 0% contained):  The Wildland Fire Module cleaned up the southwest corner of the fire Thursday. Fuel reduction was completed along roads and trails on the west of the fire. After completion of prep along Hwy 230, many resources on the north flank were moved to smaller fires in the Diamond Complex. At the North Entrance to Crater Lake National Park, crews and equipment operators are slowly moving south along the North Entrance Road, clearing vegetation with a specialized machine called a “Spider”.  A rubber-tired log loader will load log trucks to move wood out of the national park.  

Cooler temperatures and high relative humidity kept the Middle Fork Fire fairly quiet on Thursday.  Air resources, including helicopters for water bucket drops and reconnaissance flights and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, or drones) for infrared imaging and firing operations remain available. 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. Hikers may not use the North Entrance Road to enter or leave Crater Lake National Park.

Diamond Complex Fires 

Pine Bench Fire (North of Hwy 138 near Dry Creek, 3,311 acres, 29% contained): Firefighters caught a spot in Slide Creek on the southeast edge of the fire yesterday and the fire was active around Camel Hump.  Road preparation on the west side up Illahee Road is complete and the historic Illahee Lookout was wrapped for structure protection. The 3402 Road is currently being prepared as a control line, which involves fuel reduction and widening.     

Potter Fire (North of Hwy 138, two miles southeast of Potter Mountain, 2,917 acres, 4% contained): Two hotshot crews caught a slopover on the northwest corner of the fire in the Nancy Creek drainage and are mopping up. A contingency line down a ridge to the east will be started with a dozer today, and line construction near Karen Creek will also begin.     

Trep Fire (About four miles south of Hwy 138, 506 acres, 0% contained): Fire crews are improving dozer line on the south flank and are prepared to go direct where feasible.  

Ooya Fire (North of Hwy 138, one mile northeast of Bird Point, 372 acres, 37% contained): Skidgines are supplying water to support the mop-up efforts. Masticating along the 2610 Road to the southwest past Bird Point will continue to create a contingency line. 

Brodie Fire (Five miles south of Hwy 138, south of Devils Canyon, 217 acres, 57% contained): Firefighters are constructing direct handline on the northwest flank. Crews doing mop-up are being supported with water pumped from Skookum Lake. 

Lemolo Fire (North of Lemolo Lake on Bunker Hill, 1,246 acres, 46% contained): Firefighters continue to cool the fire’s edge to secure the perimeter and more of the fire is contained every day. Backhaul of equipment is underway for redistribution to other fires in the complex.

Trail Fire (East of Hwy 138 on the west slope of Mt. Thielsen, 842 acres, 77% contained): Firefighters are mopping up in heavy duff and securing the eastern edge into the Mount Thielsen Wilderness. A helicopter will sling in a blivet (soft-sided water tank) today as a water source to support mop-up. 

Lost Fire (Northeast of Trep Fire, 63 acres, 0% contained): The 4800 Road is being prepped and opened for mastication to create a fuel break and contingency control line.

Trap Fire (One mile south of Hwy 138 near Trap Mountain, 17 acres, 0% contained): Crews are constructing fuel breaks along existing roads in the Bear Creek Canyon as a contingency line for this group of fires.

Other fires within the Diamond Complex:  

Loafer Fire (43 acres, 56% contained)

Bear Trap (65 acres, 100% contained)   

Watson Fire (237 acres, 100% contained)

Maple Fire (.2 acres, containment unknown)

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: There may be some instability and showers in the area on Friday, but not necessarily measurable precipitation. Fire behavior will be limited to creeping, backing and flanking.

SMOKE OUTLOOK:  Smoke has returned to 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: The Umpqua National Forest has a closure in place affecting the Diamond Lake Ranger District. Most of the Diamond Lake Ranger District is closed. Closure Orders and maps can be found here: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices. Fire danger is set at VERY HIGH, and Public Use Restrictions Level 3 ORDER NO. 06-15-24-04 is in effect: https://tinyurl.com/PublicUseRestrictions

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has issued a closure for the area north and west of Crater Lake National Forest along Highway 230 south to the intersection with Highway 62. See the Closure Order and map at https://bit.ly/RRSNFAlerts

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office evacuation order for the Trail Fire west of Hwy 138 is set at Level 1: Get Ready and east of Hwy 138 is set at Level 3: GO NOW. The evacuation order for the Lemolo Fire south of Lemolo Lake is set at Level 1: Be Ready and northeast of Lemolo Lake is set at Level 3: GO NOW. There is now a Level 1: BE SET for the Pine Bench Fire from Slide Creek to Soda Springs area. There is a Level 2: BE SET for the Potter Fire.  For an interactive map of evacuations, visit the Douglas Co. Sheriff’s Office website: www.dcso.com/evacuations