Single Publication

Size: 784 acres   Location: 5 miles west of Crescent Lake Junction, OR   County: Klamath  

Start Date: July 17, 2024   Cause: Lightning   Containment: 0%   Total Personnel: 129

Weather, Fire Behavior, and Smoke -- Isolated thunderstorms with minimal precipitation may impact the fire area this evening into Monday bringing the potential for outflow winds and new fire starts. Warmer and drier conditions persist across the fire area Sunday under partly cloudy skies. A slight cool down will occur this evening through Wednesday, September 4 before another warming and drying trend sets in late this week. Fire behavior has increased due to warmer temperatures and low relative humidity, single and group tree torching is being observed. Smoke production has increased daily and is expected to increase today through the weekend. Depending on weather conditions, fire season often lasts through September into early October. 

Activities – The section of shaded fuel break between Crescent Lake and Summit Lake continues to progress well and is anticipated to be complete by September 7. The bulk of the work remaining along the final portion of shaded fuel break is slash removal being accomplished by local contractors with equipment and log trucks. Structure protection equipment remains in place along Crescent Lake and is being tested periodically. A 1.5-mile hose lay remains in place along the Whitefish Creek Trail on the southern edge of the fire to check fire spread as it approaches the trail. Suppression repair work is beginning where it doesn’t interfere with firefighting operations. This involves removing wood chips from slash grinding, log landing and skid trail rehabilitation. 

Incident Strategy – A full suppression strategy is being implemented utilizing indirect tactics, shaded fuel breaks, structure protection equipment, trail, and hose lay. Firefighter and public safety remain the incident management team’s highest priority in managing this fire. Expect to see increased fire activity due to the warmer and dryer conditions.

Closures – To provide for the safety of firefighters, equipment operators, and the public, the Deschutes National Forest emergency closure around Crescent Lake and in the Diamond Peak Wilderness is still in effect, including these areas: Forest Service Road 60 is closed, and road guards have been posted for public safety. More closure information is available at: https://www.fsa.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices/?aid=89091   

Evacuations – The WILDFIRE! Level 1 – BE READY to Evacuate notice issued by Klamath County Emergency Management for Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, and Crescent Junction areas remains in effect (INCENDIO FORESTAL! Nivel 1 - ESTÉ PREPARADO para evacuar de las siguientes zonas: Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, Crescent Junction). Visit www.klamathcounty.org/300/emergency-management for more information or to sign up for alerts.

Fire Restrictions – Stage 2 Public Use Fire Restrictions – which prohibit open fires, including in developed campgrounds – remain in effect for the Deschutes National Forest. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level is currently Level III “Partial Shutdown.” Visit fs.usda.gov/detail/deschutes/home/?cid=stelprdb5297376 for more information.  

Drone Restrictions – Aerial firefighting is suspended when unauthorized drones are in the area. Unauthorized drone use over a fire area poses serious risks to fire personnel and the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. If you fly, we can’t.