Single Publication

The Diamond Complex on the Umpqua National Forest consists of 27 lightning-caused fires totaling approximately 7,629 acres, with 728 people assigned. The Middle Fork Fire in the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park has 31 people assigned, but the Diamond Complex is sharing resources as needed. The park remains open.

KEY MESSAGES: Highway 230 along the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park will be one-lane traffic with a flagger due to work occurring on the Middle Fork Fire. Expect delays and plan accordingly. 

The Umpqua National Forest has issued a new Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-24-05 that includes some exceptions from the previous Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-24-03.

OPERATIONS:

Middle Fork Fire (4,011 acres, 1% contained): The fire grew to the north and northeast yesterday, getting into a patch of green timber that allowed it to spread. Scoopers and helicopters flew briefly doing water drops before being grounded due to smoke. To the north, firefighters scouted for line options along OHV trails, with the alternative being Highway 230. Northeast of the fire, crews continued widening the previously constructed dozer line between Highways 230 and 138. A feller buncher and log loader are hauling logs away from that line to open it up further. On the west, local resources scouted for line options closer to the park border. Masticators continue to work along a road system from the south end of the fire west and up a road system paralleling Highway 230. Crews are laying hoses and pumps along many of these lines. 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.  

Diamond Complex Fires (No IR flight for new acreages was available for last night)

Pine Bench Fire (North of Hwy 138 near Dry Creek, 2,160 acres, 15% contained):  A large portion of the fire's east side is showing very little heat. From the top edge of the east perimeter, masticator and dozer operators are constructing an indirect line northeast of the fire, and crews have installed hoses and pumps along a portion of this line. Crews cleared vegetation along a dozer line on the south edge of the Boulder Creek Wilderness to the fire's edge. Hand crews are piecing together some of this line together with handline. Heavy equipment, including dozers and masticators, continue to work up the 4670 road on the west side of the Wilderness.

Potter Fire (North of Hwy 138, two miles southeast of Potter Mountain, 2060 acres, 0% contained): Yesterday, the fire showed low activity. Crews are finishing putting structure protection wrap around wooden trestles and other Pacificorp infrastructure south of the fire. On the north, fire managers are scouting for fireline opportunities. 

Trep Fire (About four miles south of Hwy 138, 374 acres, 0% contained): Fire managers are looking at fireline options south of the fire as it pushes that direction into the Bear Creek drainage. As smoke conditions allow, firefighters will continue to utilize helicopters to conduct water drops to slow the spread.

Lost Fire (Northeast of the Trep Fire, 51 acres, 0% contained): The rappelers will be replaced with a helitack crew today to continue working to construct line around and secure this fire. A dozer is also constructing line.

Ooya Fire (North of Hwy 138, one mile northeast of Bird Point, 276 acres, 0% contained): Firefighters continue mopping up where the fire slopped over the road to the south. Crews are opening roads around the fire, and sawyers are cutting down hazard trees before additional firefighters arrive so they can access the fire directly.

Brodie Fire (Five miles south of Hwy 138, south of Devils Canyon, 165 acres, 0% contained): The fire spotted across a line yesterday. Today, masticators will open roads to allow access for firefighters to get in and address it directly. Otherwise, firefighters are succeeding on this fire, and it's looking good.

Lemolo Fire (North of Lemolo Lake on Bunker Hill, 1247 acres, 20% contained): Firefighters completed burnout operations on the south and will mop up and secure the edge today. The rest of the fire is holding.

Trail Fire (East of Hwy 138 on the west slope of Mt. Thielsen, 843 acres, 40% contained): This fire is currently being patrolled by air. There continues to be some interior heat towards the eastern side.

Other fires within the Diamond Complex:  

Watson Fire (237 acres, 50% contained)

Loafer Fire (42 acres, 50% contained)

Bear Trap Fire (Two miles south of Hwy 138 near Bear Trap Mountain, 64 acres, 50% contained)

Trap Fire (One mile south of Hwy 138 near Trap Mountain, 16 acres, 0% contained)  

Rough Fire (11 acres, 25% contained)

Campwood Fire (Two miles south of Hwy 138, 20 acres, 25% contained) 

Wood Fire (Two miles south of Hwy 139, 23 acres, 25% contained) 

Canal Fire (1 acre, 75% contained)

Slide Fire (Northeast of Pine Bench, 0.1 acres, 95% contained)

Elephant Fire (Two miles southwest of Lemolo Lake, 0.7 acres, 95% contained)

Sheep Fire (Three miles north of Diamond Lake, 0.3 acres, 95% contained) 

Thin Fire (Four miles northwest of Diamond Lake, 0.6 acre, 95% contained) 

Pig Iron Fire (Near Pig Iron Mountain north of Hwy 138, 27 acres, 95% contained)

Garwood Fire (About three miles southwest of Mt. Bailey, 5 acres, 95% contained)

Mowich Fire (One mile north of Hwy 138, 0.4 acre, 95% contained) 

Toolbox Fire (0.1 acres, 95% contained) 

Fires 100% contained: Clearwater (0.7 acre), Birds (0.1 acres), Dog (0.1 acres)

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: Milder conditions are expected through the weekend and next week, including lower temperatures and higher humidity. The smoke also continues to keep temperatures cooler and humidity higher. The fires are primarily fuel and terrain-driven rather than wind-driven. The next few days should see moderated fire behavior.

SMOKE OUTLOOK:  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/

CLOSURES, RESTRICTIONS, EVACUATIONS: Umpqua National Forest has two closures in place across the forest in response to fire activity to protect public and wildland firefighter safety. Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-24-05 and Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-02-24-01 impacts all 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 Level 3 ORDER NO. 06-15-24-04 is in effect: https://tinyurl.com/PublicUseRestrictions

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 still a Level 2: BE SET for the Pine Bench Fire. For an interactive map of evacuations, visit the Douglas Co. Sheriff’s Office website: www.dcso.com/evacuations