Single Publication

Our primary mission on the Diamond Complex and Middle Fork Fire is to serve the public with dedication and compassion. With your safety and the safety of our firefighters in mind, we are committed to addressing the needs and concerns of your communities by managing and controlling the fires to keep your forests, parks, and natural areas safe and enjoyable.  Using safe and aggressive firefighting suppression methods our goal is to help you return to enjoying the outdoors. 

The Diamond Complex in the Umpqua National Forest consists of 29 lightning-caused fires totaling approximately 10,987 acres and is 38% contained.  Twenty-three of the original 29 fires in the Diamond Complex are now 100 percent contained. The Twin Knobs fire that we reported yesterday is 100% contained at .37 acre. 

The Middle Fork Fire in the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park is 5,228 acres and is 0% contained.  The fire is primarily burning within the 2015 National Creek and 2017 Spruce Lake fire scars. There was minimal smoke or fire activity as the fire continued to creep at a slow rate of spread. There remains an extreme hazard of falling trees that were destroyed in both the 2015 and 2017 fires. 

OPERATIONS:  

Middle Fork Fire: (5,228 acres, 0% contained): 

Today, crews will continue removing heavy timber and vegetation along the 230 Road and at the north entrance to Crater Lake National Park. On the southern side, crews will continue to look for areas of opportunity to limit fire spread and make trails more defensible to the south. Specialty teams have been deployed and will be embedded for the next few days to evaluate opportunities for direct suppression operations such as removing fuel or constructing a line around the area. The park remains open.

Diamond Complex Fires:  

Pine Bench Fire (North of Hwy 138 near Dry Creek, 3,925 acres, 30% contained): 

There was limited smoke, fire activity and no concerns with containment; however, hoselines remain in place. Hand crews and dozers pushed into the lower portion to control the East and West edges of the fire. The spot fire in Slide Creek is under control and hose lines are in place. Today’s priority will be to continue containment into Medicine Creek. Crews will continue  improving the road from the west side, moving north. 

Potter Fire (North of Hwy 138, two miles southeast of Potter Mountain, 3,320 acres, 6% contained):  

On the north side, Hot Shots and Dozer operations are working down to Noisy Creek and securing the North. Crews are still facing an extreme hazard of falling trees. Crews will continue to clear vegetation along the 265 Road, and prep the roads to the East and to the West. 

Trep Fire (About four miles south of Hwy 138, 544 acres, 0% contained):

Resources will continue their efforts to improve conditions along the northern perimeter and extend current handlines. In the south, crews will be working on extinguishing hot spots, conducting patrols and holding the fire west of Bear Creek Drainage. 

Other fires within the Diamond Complex:

Lost Fire (Northeast of Trep Fire, 64 acres, 100% contained): 

Ooya Fire (North of Hwy 138, one mile northeast of Bird Point, 374 acres, 73% contained):

Crews will continue to mop up and conduct patrols and haul out trash and excess supplies. 

Trail Fire (East of Hwy 138 on the west slope of Mt. Thielsen, 842 acres, 77% contained):

Crews will continue to extinguish hot spots and secure the area.    

Loafer Fire (44 acres, 56% contained) 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:

With dryer weather and a drop in relative humidity we observed more smoke production and isolated torching. Minimal fire spread, backing, creeping and smoldering was observed over the last 24 hours.  

SMOKE OUTLOOK:  

For the most up to date information, please visit fire.airnow.gov/  

EVACUATIONS:

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 

FOREST CLOSURE:

The Umpqua National Forest has two closures in place impacting every district of the forest. 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. 06-15-24-05 is in effect:https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umpqua/fire/?cid=FSEPRD937986

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://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices.

PARK CLOSURE:

Crater Lake National Park has several closures in effect, closure orders and maps can be found at: https://www.nps.gov/crla/learn/news/crater-lake-temporarily-closes-north-entrance-for-the-middle-fork-fire.htm.

REMINDER: 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 and bikers may not use the North Entrance Road to enter or leave Crater Lake National Park.