Single Publication

Anvil Fire

Size: 20,657 acres | Start Date: August 25, 2023 | Location:  8 miles east of Port Orford, OR | Containment: 9% | Total personnel: 1,321 | Resources: 37 crews, 8 helicopters, 47 engines 

Fire managers and crews are preparing for the weekend’s forecast precipitation. More than 1,300 people are now assigned to the fire, allowing fire managers to deploy resources on the Anvil Fire’s multiple active fronts. Dozers and hand crews have been working continuously to construct line around pockets of fire south of Elk River between Sunshine Bar and Butler Bar campgrounds. The Coos Forest Protective Association and other crews successfully pushed back on the fire as it approached containment line above the North Fork of Dry Creek. Bucket drops once again made a big difference in supporting ground crews, drenching flames with more than 172,000 gallons of water. 

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) patrolled the Anvil Fire area overnight, greeting the day shift with real-time information about embers outside the main fire or trouble areas to prioritize. Today’s milder weather will provide firefighters an opportunity to shore up and extend containment lines that are likely to be tested later this weekend. There is a high probability for rain Sunday evening, but fire managers are preparing for potential high winds that may arrive prior to the much-needed moisture. 

The Anvil Base Camp is near Cape Blanco State Park north of Port Orford off US Highway 101. Many of the crews and equipment assigned to the fire are operating out of this camp. Please drive slowly with your headlights on in this congested area. 

Evacuations: Curry County Sheriff’s Office has identified four evacuation zones around the Anvil Fire.  Zones 1 and 4 are in Level 3 “Go“ evacuation status. Zones 2 and 3 are in Level 2 “Get Set“ status.  View the interactive evacuation map at https://bit.ly/45UIh2E. Sign up for Curry Co. emergency alerts at https://bit.ly/CurryCoEM. 

Area and Road Closures: For the safety of firefighters and the public, the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest (RRSNF) and Coos Bay District Bureau of Land Management have issued closure orders for the Anvil Fire area. Find maps and closure information at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/orrsf-anvil-fire. 

Flat Fire

Size: 34,242 acres | Start Date:  July 15, 2023 | Location:  2 miles southeast of Agness, OR | Containment:  75% | Total personnel: 11 | Resources: 3 engines 

The RRSNF closure on the Flat Fire remains in effect, https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/xx1002-flat-fire. 

General Information 

Weather: There is a slight chance for light rain on Saturday. Light winds from the west and southwest will prevail, and patchy fog is expected. Heavy rain is a likelihood for Sunday evening to Monday morning, prompting a Flood Watch issuance by the National Weather Service. Winds will shift to the south with gusts of 35 to 55 mph.  A meteorologist is working closely with fire managers to monitor the weather and share information to support planning to ensure the safety of firefighters in all weather conditions, both those that cause increases in fire activity and those that may trigger runoff or flooding. 

Smoke:  Visit https://bit.ly/SWORsmoke for current smoke and air quality updates. Smoke and the marine cloud layer are mingling and settling in the lower elevations overnight causing limited visibility along highways.  Please drive slowly and with headlights on through any fire area. 

Caltrans issued a schedule of road closures and lane restrictions on US-199 northeast from Crescent City. Local law enforcement cautions against any non-essential traffic along this route. For specific information on road access, please see the Caltrans QuickMap site, https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ and Oregon Department of Transportation site, https://www.tripcheck.com/.  Do not use forest roads for alternate routes.