Single Publication

Flat Fire Activity

Size: 34,242 acres             Start Date:  July 15, 2023                Point of origin: 2 miles southeast of Agness, OR

Containment: 70%           Total personnel: 317

Resources: 5 crews, 3 helicopters, 11 engines, 7 water tenders, 10 pieces of heavy equipment

Although fire behavior on the Flat Fire is minimal, some isolated pockets of heat continue to burn out in the interior. On the southwest corner, crews completed pulling in berms on dozer lines and spreading straw. They will begin applying seed mixes today to prevent erosion. Around the fire perimeter, erosion control measures are being implemented, including installing water bars and mulching. The Burned Area Response Team (BAER) began work today. Visit https://bit.ly/44H7nRe for more information on the BAER program. Initial Attack crews have integrated with other resources to work on both fires. They remain on standby for initial attack on new fires if needed.

Anvil Fire Activity

Size: 331 acres               Start Date:  August 25, 2023      Point of origin: 8 miles east of Port Orford, OR                           

Containment: 0%           Total personnel: 170

Resources: 5 crews, 3 helicopters, 4 engines, 4 water tenders, 1 pieces of heavy equipment

Fire managers continue to evaluate ways to keep the Anvil Fire as small as possible. Fire growth was primarily in the northeast corner yesterday. Two Very Large Air Tankers (VLATs) and three Large Air Tankers (LATs) dropped retardant in strategic areas around the perimeter. Firefighters on the specialized Wildland Fire Modules are assessing how much retardant is penetrating the tree canopy and looking for openings in heavily treed areas that allow retardant to reach the ground more effectively. The purpose of the retardant is to create barriers to slow and stop fire spread and buy firefighters time to construct fireline. In addition to the tankers, five helicopters dropped 133,620 gallons of water yesterday. Dozer operators will begin work on an alternate line from the fish hatchery north today, and firefighters will scout to the north for places to build alternate lines if they are needed. Crews will continue to reduce brush and other fuels along Grassy Knob Road if it needs to be used as a control line. Additionally, crews are removing hazardous fuels along Elk River Road. Two structure protection groups are working at residences along Elk River Road and Sixes River Road to clear vegetation around houses and other structures.

Weather: A warming and drying trend continues today into the weekend, with daily highs in the lower 70s to lower 80s. Minimum relative humidity values will be mid-20s to lower 40s across both fires. Light, terrain-driven winds are expected.

Smoke: Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ for the national wildfire smoke map.

Closures: U.S. Highway 199 has been reopened to all traffic using a pilot car system north of Gasquet to the Oregon border in California. Local law enforcement cautions against any non-essential traffic along this route. Expect 20-40 minute delays. The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest (RRSNF) has issued closure orders in the areas of the Flat and Anvil fires. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/RRSNFAlerts

Evacuations: Level 1 “Get Ready” evacuation status is in place for areas near the Flat Fire. Level 2 “Get Set“ evacuation status is in place along the Elk River from about milepost four to the USFS Butler Bar Campground near the Anvil Fire. Sign up for Curry Co. Everbridge Notifications (emergency alerts) at https://bit.ly/CurryCoEM to receive evacuation alerts.

Restrictions: The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is decreasing the fire danger from Extreme down to High and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level from Level 3 to Level 2, effective September 5, 2023. Public Use Restrictions (PUR) 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 (TFR) over the fire areas. Please do not fly unmanned aircraft (drones) in the fire vicinity. If you fly, we can't.