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 31 lightning-caused fires totaling approximately 11,152 acres and is 64% contained. Twenty-six of the 31 fires in the Diamond Complex are now 100 percent contained. The Fish Fire was reported August 23, 2024, 1.5 miles south of the Toketee Airstrip. Crews have been working on it throughout yesterday

The Middle Fork Fire in the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park is 5,280 acres and is 2% contained. The fire is primarily burning within the 2015 National Creek and 2017 Spruce Lake fire scars. Throughout the fire area there is an extreme hazard to firefighters due to falling dead standing trees remaining from the 2015 and 2017 fires.

Yesterday’s rain moderated the fire activity and gave firefighters an opportunity to scout for areas to fight the fire directly. Today, crews will work to increase containment on the remaining fires. Crews will be continuing suppression repair which involves restoring areas that were impacted by suppression activities. Additionally, an initial attack group including hand crews, engines, dozers, water tenders, falling modules, and task force leaders are ready to respond to any new fire starts.

OPERATIONS:

Middle Fork Fire: (5,280 acres, 2% contained):

Crews continue to remove heavy timber and vegetation to create a shaded fuel break along the 230 Road and at the north entrance to Crater Lake National Park. The north entrance to Crater Lake National Park remains closed. On the southern side and along the Bald Crater Trail, crews are improving firelines and are constructing direct line. The park remains open.

Diamond Complex Fires:

Pine Bench Fire (North of Hwy 138 near Dry Creek, 3,990 acres, 45% contained):

Hand crews and dozers are working in the lower portion of the fire reinforcing control lines and extinguishing hot spots along the southern edges of the fire. Infrared sensing along the northern edge of the fire is showing few hot spots and reduced fire activity in the Wilderness. Firefighters will begin scouting the fire’s edge in the wilderness to assess for opportunities to go direct. 

Potter Fire (North of Hwy 138, two miles southeast of Potter Mountain, 3,416 acres, 6% contained):

Crews continue to build dozer lines and hand lines on the east side of the fire into Nancy Creek. On the north side, Hot Shots and dozer operations are working through steep and dangerous terrain while facing extreme hazards from falling trees. Ensuring safe operations, firefighters are building direct fireline on the north side and the west side.

Trep Fire (About four miles south of Hwy 138, 546 acres, 100% contained):

Firefighters are working to rehabilitate fireline.

Other fires within the Diamond Complex:

Ooya Fire (North of Hwy 138, one mile northeast of Bird Point, 374 acres, 85% contained): Crews are continuing to patrol the area and put out any remaining hot spots. National Guard personnel are also helping by chipping away debris.

Loafer Fire (44 acres, 56% contained)

Fish Fire (.5 acres, 0% contained)

Discovered August 23, 2024, 1.5 miles south of the Toketee Airstrip. Crews will continue to work on mop up today.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:

After a cold start to the day, temperatures will warm significantly compared to the last few days. Morning valley fog will burn off by 9am with mostly sunny skies. This will allow a downward trend in relative humidity values after 2 days of rain and moisture. High pressure will build over the area on Monday , which will allow temperatures and humidity values to trend back towards seasonal normal. A weak cold front will push through the region on Tuesday bringing high clouds and an increase in winds. 

SMOKE OUTLOOK:

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

EVACUATIONS:

None. As of August 23, 2024, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has lifted evacuation orders for all areas. 

FOREST CLOSURE:

On August 21, 2024 the Forest reduced the temporary closure order, allowing increased access to specific roads, trails, and campgrounds that are listed as exemptions in Forest Order 06-15-24-06. For more information visit the Umpqua National Forest website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices/?aid=88996

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:

The North Entrance Road is closed from North Junction to the park boundary at the junction with Highway 138. This closure is necessary to ensure the safety of fire crews and the public. The date for reopening is not known at this time. All other park roads will remain open, except for construction closures on East Rim Drive. Crater Lake National Park remains open and is accessible from Highway 62 on the western and southern routes.

Crater Lake National Park has several closures in effect, closure orders and maps can be found at: 

https://www.nps.gov/crla/learn/news/temporary-closure-of-north-entrance-road-continues.htm

REMINDER: The Pacific Crest Trail between the Lightning Springs and Rim Trail Intersections, Bald Crater Loop, Bert Creek and Boundary Springs Trails are closed until further notice due to potentially hazardous conditions created by the Middle Fork Fire. Hikers and bikers may not use the North Entrance Road to enter or leave Crater Lake National Park.