Single Publication

The Diamond Complex on the Umpqua National Forest consists of 28 lightning-caused fires totaling approximately 10,843 acres, with 823 people assigned. The Middle Fork Fire in the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park has 59 people assigned, and the Diamond Complex is sharing resources as needed. The park remains open.  

Transfer of command of the Diamond Complex and Middle Fork Fire from Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3 to California Complex Incident Management Team 4 at 0600 Sunday.  

KEY MESSAGES: A red flag warning for lightning and strong winds is in place today.  

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 (5,197 acres, 0% contained):  A Type 3 helicopter dropped a few buckets of water to cool the southern flank of the fire Friday. Fuel reduction was completed along roads and trails on the west of the fire. Road preparation continues along the Wizard Creek Snowmobile Trail. 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 hand crew is also cutting out some of the smaller diameter vegetation adjacent to the road.  A hand crew will widen the Burnt Creek Trail corridor to create a control line.    

Yesterday was another mild day for fire behavior. However, red flag conditions for strong outflow winds associated with thunderstorms today are likely to induce increased fire behavior. 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, 3,706 acres, 30% contained): Crews continue to line and mop-up a spot between Medicine Creek and Slide Creek and the fire remains active around Camel Hump. Heavy helicopters supported the firefighters with water bucket drops. Additional hotshot crews will be working the problem areas on that southeast edge of the fire today. 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, 3,040 acres, 4% contained):  A Hotshot crew reinforced indirect dozer line on the east side, and heavy helicopters supported firefighters with water bucket drops. On the northwest flank, crews were building handline around a slopover in the Staley Creek drainage and will continue mopping that up today.   

Trep Fire (About four miles south of Hwy 138, 511 acres, 0% contained): Near the southwest corner of Trep, firefighters are building handline down to Bear Trap Meadows.  Road preparation continues on the 230 Road.  

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, 220 acres, 90% contained): Firefighters are constructing direct handline on the western edge of the fire. 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): Mop-up continues and 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.    

Lost Fire (Northeast of Trep Fire, 63 acres, 0% contained): Direct handline is being constructed. 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.  

Maple Fire (.2 acres, 0% containment): Firefighters are lining and mopping this small fire. 

Other fires within the Diamond Complex:    

Loafer Fire (44 acres, 56% contained)  

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: Heavy lightning and rain with strong winds are expected. Hail is also a possibility. Fire behavior will increase if winds precede the rain.   

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 has lifted evacuation orders for all areas except for east of the Pine Bench Fire, which remains at a Level 1: BE SET for a single residence east of the Potter Fire. For an interactive map of evacuations, visit the Douglas Co. Sheriff’s Office website: www.dcso.com/evacuations