Single Publication

A community meeting will be held tonight at 7 PM at the Sixes Grange Hall and broadcast live on Facebook (link below).  Fire managers and local agency representatives will share information and answer questions about the Anvil and Flat Fires.

Anvil Fire

Size: 4,438 acres                            

Start Date:  August 25, 2023      

Location:  8 miles east of Port Orford, OR
 

Containment:  0%         

Total personnel:  353                  

Resources:  9 crews, 4 helicopters, 13 engines

Gusty winds pushed the Anvil Fire to the south and west starting Wednesday afternoon and continuing throughout the night, prompting the Curry County Sheriff’s Office to issue a Level 3 – Go advisory for residents on the Elk River Road from Mile Post 4 to Butler Bar Campground early Thursday morning. Fire managers also responded by shifting several resources from the Flat Fire to the Anvil Fire where they were needed based on the fire activity.

When sparks from the main fire ignited a spot fire across Elk River, firefighters, a dozer, and helicopters responded aggressively. Crews worked through the night to contain the spot fire, while other firefighters installed pumps and hoses near structures and built fireline in strategic locations near the perimeter of the Anvil Fire. When smoke cleared Thursday, helicopters dropped another 42,000 gallons of water to support fire crews working on the ground.

Evacuations:  A Level 3 “Go“ evacuation status is in place along Elk River Road from milepost 4 to the Butler Bar Campground by the Curry County Sheriff.  There are Level 2 “Get Set“ evacuations in place from from the intersection of U.S. Highway 101 and Elk River to milepost 4 on Elk River Road and on Sixes River Road Edson Creek Campground, about 16 miles east of U.S. Highway 101.  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:  92                     

Resources:  2 helicopters

Heavy equipment and hand crews continue to repair firelines that were created as contingency containment lines for the fire.  Much of the work has been completed, which will allow equipment to begin repairing the primary fire containment lines.  The winds this week have not caused any fire growth on the Flat Fire.  Although some smoke may be visible, it is generally from internal pockets of unburned vegetation.  Fire managers will continue to monitor this activity and respond as appropriate to prevent additional fire spread while also ensuring firefighter safety.

Evacuations:  A Level 1 “Get Ready” evacuation status is in place for areas near the Flat Fire.  

General Information

Weather:  Area weather varied wildly yesterday. Temperatures ranged from mild 60s in Gold Beach while Agness charted 103 degrees. Winds on the ridgetops gusted to 25 mph as lower elevations received only light breezes. Cooler temperatures predicted for this weekend may provide a brief period of more advantageous weather conditions. Very warm temperatures, dry air, and light winds are predicted today; the weekend will be cooler with higher humidity.

Smoke:  Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ for current smoke and air quality updates.

Area and Road Closures:  The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has issued a closure order for the Anvil Fire (06-10-28-23-63). The Bureau of Land Management’s Edson and Sixes Campgrounds are closed until further notice. Please drive slowly and with headlights on through any fire area, especially when smoke limits visibility.  Heavy equipment and firefighter transportation vehicles are using the area highways and roads as well. For closure information, visit https://bit.ly/RRSNFAlerts.. Check www.tripcheck.com in Oregon and www.quickmap.dot.ca.go in California for current road closures and safe detours as these are changing frequently. Do not use forest roads for alternate routes.

Restrictions:  The RRSNF fire danger is high and the Industrial Fire Precaution is at Level 2. Public Use Restrictions remain at Stage 3 across the forest and on the Wild Section of the Rogue National Wild and Scenic River. Visit https://bit.ly/RRSNFAlerts for more information. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction over the fire areas. Please do not fly unmanned aircraft (drones) in the fire vicinity.