Single Publication

RED FIRE UPDATE
July 23, 2024
Fire Information Line - 541-316-7711

                                                 centraloregonfire.org    x.com/CentralORFire

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-news/ordef-red-fire

Size: 262 acres | Location: 5 miles west of Crescent Lake Junction, Oregon   
County: Klamath | Start Date: July 17, 2024 | Containment: 0% | Cause: Lightning   
Total Personnel: 150

Klamath County, Oregon — The Red Fire is located within the Diamond Peak Wilderness on the Deschutes National Forest, on the southwest slope of Redtop Mountain. The fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy.  The Southern Area Gray Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Fulton Jeansonne, assumed command of the fire on Friday, July 19, at 6:00 a.m. local time. Public and firefighter safety is the highest priority in managing this fire. 

The Diamond Peak Wilderness encompasses 52,500 rugged acres straddling the crest of the Cascade Mountains. It was designated in 1964 by the Wilderness Act, to be stewarded in its natural, undeveloped condition. Motorized equipment, motor vehicles, and aircraft are prohibited in Wilderness by federal law, with narrow criteria for exceptions. The USDA Forest Service has authorized the use of chain saws, portable pumps, fire retardant, and aircraft landings by firefighters on the Red Fire since initial attack.  

Yesterday’s Activities – Firefighters continued to assess and scout opportunities for control features in the Wilderness. Construction of the shaded fuel break continued along the west side of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and the north side of Forest Service Road 60, west of the community of Crescent Lake Junction.

Approximately 140 people attended last night’s community meeting in Crescent Lake Junction, Oregon. An additional 176 attended the live broadcast. A recording of the community meeting is available here.

Today’s Activities – Firefighters will continue to assess and scout opportunities for control features in the Wilderness. Construction of the shaded fuel break will continue along the west side of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and the north side of Forest Service Road 60, southwest of the community of Crescent Lake Junction. Heavy equipment working on the shaded fuel break along FS Road 60 will cause temporary traffic stoppages. The public is encouraged to avoid travel on FS Road 60 if possible.

Weather – Sunny today with areas of smoke and haze. Temperature 80-83, humidity around 30 percent. Light terrain-driven winds becoming southwest at 5 mph.

Evacuation Notice – The WILDFIRE! Level 1 – BE READY to evacuate notice issued by Klamath County Emergency Management for the Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, and Crescent Junction area remains in effect. For information, and to sign up for alerts, visit: https://www.klamathcounty.org/300/emergency-management 

Klamath County Emergency Management. INCENDIO FORESTAL! Nivel 1 - ESTÉ PREPARADO para evacuar de las siguientes zonas: Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, Crescent Junction.

Red Fire Area Closures – An area emergency closure is in effect for the Diamond Peak Wilderness due to the Red Fire. For more information, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices/?aid=89091 

Fire Restrictions – Public use fire restrictions are currently in effect for the Deschutes National Forest. Visit CentralOregonFire.org or the Deschutes National Forest’s website (fs.usda.gov/detail/deschutes/home/?cid=stelprdb5297376) for more information.
 

Air quality information can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/. 

A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the fire area. If you fly, we can’t. Unauthorized drone flights (UAS) pose serious risks to firefighter and public safety and the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. Aerial firefighting is suspended when unauthorized UAS are in the area, allowing wildfires to grow larger.

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