Single Publication

Highlight: There will be a public meeting for the Anvil and Flat fires on Tuesday, October 3 at 7:00 PM at the Sixes Grange. The meeting will also be streamed live at facebook.com/flatfireoregon2023   

Anvil Fire

Size: 22,173 acres         Start Date:  August 25, 2023 Location:  8 miles east of Port Orford, OR
Containment:  43%    Total personnel: 1,224             Resources: 32 crews, 13 helicopters, 36 engines 

Containment is now at 43% as progress continues along the Elk River Road. Crews have been working to remove hazard trees to safely access the Grassy Knob communication repeater. Strong winds in the area made it necessary to disengage for safety yesterday during the afternoon. Near the Sixes River Campground, crews made significant progress building containment lines near Hells Gate. Four masticators continue work along the Sixes River Road. On the southeast corner of the fire, firefighters work to establish contingency lines south towards Milbury Mountain.  

Today, crews will work in the Grassy Knob area to remove hazard trees and firefighting equipment as it is safe to do so.  Line construction on the west side of Hells Gate will continue for several days if conditions remain favorable. Large timber and heavier fuels continue to hold heat and will begin to burn more actively as temperatures rise and humidities drop. Recent precipitation slowed fire growth but an increase in fire behavior is expected as these fuels dry and are subjected to strong ridge-top winds over the next few days. 

Evacuations:  Curry County Sheriff’s Office has identified evacuation zones near the Anvil Fire: Zones 1, 2, and 4 are in Level 2 “Set” status. Zone 3 is in Level 1 “Ready” status.  Conditions may change quickly. Monitor for updates in evacuation levels. View the interactive evacuation map at https://bit.ly/AnvilEvacs.  Sign up for Curry Co. emergency alerts at https://bit.ly/CurryCoEM.

Flat Fire

Size:  34,242 acres   Start Date:  July 15, 2023     Location:  2 miles southeast of Agness, OR    Containment:  75%  Total personnel:  45    Resources: 3 engines

Additional crews were brought in to conduct suppression repair work on the Flat Fire. Crews are working to clean up the fire line and returning the area to a more natural state. Helicopter operations will begin to drop straw bales within the Flat Fire for erosion control. 

Emergency Fire Area and Road Closures Still in Effect: Forest closures remain in place in both fire areas. Recent precipitation across the forest allowed for the lifting of Public Use Restrictions, which allows campfires on areas of the forest that are not currently under a closure order. Lifting Public Use Restrictions for campfires does not rescind closure orders. Forest staff are working closely with fire managers daily to re-evaluate closures and look for opportunities to reopen them as soon as safely possible for both firefighters and the public. For current closure information and maps, please visit: https://bit.ly/RRSNFAlerts or https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/orrsf-anvil-fire.

Fire Restrictions: The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest lifted all Public Use Restrictions on Forest Service lands and moved to “moderate” fire danger. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level was reduced to Level 1. Public Use Restrictions on the Wild Section of the Rogue River are at Stage 1- campfires must be in a fire pan below the high-water mark. 

Weather: Today, increased northerly winds will continue at 25mph along ridges. Conditions will be warmer and drier in the coming days, although there is a slight chance for precipitation Monday evening. 

Smoke: Smoke may be visible at times. For current smoke and air quality updates visit, https://bit.ly/SWORsmoke . Please drive slowly and with headlights on through any fire area. 

Roads: Visit www.tripcheck.com or call 511 for current road closures. Do not use forest roads for alternate routes.

Contact Fire Information: (541) 216-4579 or (541) 237-6369 

Email: 2023.anvil@firenet.gov 

Facebook: facebook.com/flatfireoregon2023 

X/Twitter: twitter.com/RRSNF 

Inciweb Anvil Fire: bit.ly/AnvilFireOR 

Inciweb Flat Fire: bit.ly/FlatFireOR