Single Publication

Warner Peak Fire Update
Daily Update August 15, 2024

Acres:     65,002

Start Date: 08/05/24
Location: Lake County, OR

Personnel: 510
Containment: 40%

Highlights: Containment increased to 40% from control lines on the eastern perimeter. The team is using a full suppression strategy on this lightning-caused fire. The fire is still active in the south and west corridors. A Red Flag Warning is in effect for today for thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds. Predicted storms have the potential to bring erratic gusts accompanied with rapid wind shifts.

Fire Activity: Firefighters on the eastern and northeastern portions of the fire worked to strengthen containment lines by extinguishing pockets of residual heat. Available crews and resources were shifted to assist firefighters on the southern portion of the fire, particularly to bolster containment lines near Crump Lake and Hart Lake. Crews are making slow and steady progress on the direct fire line at the southern and western perimeters of the fire in steep, rugged terrain and dense vegetation.

Today’s focus will be on patrolling and monitoring established containment lines and extinguishing isolated hot spots within the fire’s interior. Crews will be paying close attention to the weather and potential for outflow winds to increase fire behavior, particularly in pockets of unburned vegetation near the southern perimeter. Today’s slight increase in humidity may moderate behavior; however, in general, the fire is expected to remain active over the next several days. Firefighters will continue to create line on the southern area of the fire where it has persisted to be active. Crews will patrol for spot fires outside of control lines. An Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) will be used to detect areas of high-intensity and scattered heat within the perimeter and identify heavy fuels that could carry fire beyond its current footprint.

Closures: The Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge is closed for public and firefighter safety.

In coordination with the Southwest Area Incident Management Team, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation orders for the Hart Mountain area in support of firefighting efforts on the Warner Peak Fire. For detailed information visit www.lakecountyor.org.

Weather: Temperatures are averaging in to the mid 80’s. Relative humidity will increase to 17%. Humidity is showing good recovery at night, climbing to 50%. This recovery should moderate fire activity allowing crews to continue to make progress on suppressing the fire.

Smoke: Wildfire smoke from the Warner Peak Fire may impact the community of Plush and surrounding areas. Go to www.airnow.gov to see the latest smoke conditions in your community.

More Information:
Information Phone Line: 541.208.1770 
Email: 2024.warnerpeak@firenet.gov  
Facebook: facebook.com/warnerpeakfire 
Inciweb: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orshr-warner-peak