Single Publication

Size: 34,242  acres

Start Date:  July 15, 2023

Point of origin: 2 miles southeast of Agness, OR

Containment: 58%

Total personnel: 497 

Resources: 15 engines l 13 crews l 3 bulldozers l 16 water tenders l 4 masticators l 4 helicopters 

Highlights: The observed fire behavior is persistent smoldering and creeping among interior fuels. There are low rates of fire spread in the unburned islands within the perimeter. A limited amount of isolated single tree torching in these islands has not threatened containment lines. Visual assessment of the fire lines and isolated heat sources, to identify changes in fire behavior, is the primary focus of the Firefighters. Smoke from the Smith River Complex is impacting some air and ground fire operations as well as local communities. Aviation resources continue to support the Six Rivers National Forest south of the Oregon/California border.

Today’s Activities: Full suppression is the stated objective for the Flat Fire and firefighters are working toward that goal. Visual assessments of the fire activity remain the emphasis of the firefighting effort. Ground and/or aviation resources continue to evaluate conditions within and around the perimeter. Fuels Group crews are finalizing handlines in the Pistol River drainage and completing the southern tier contingency line project today. Improving those lines through chipping, brushing, masticating and removing timber will now be a priority for the group. Air resources remain available to support initial attack efforts as required.

Weather: Although temperatures are warmer and drier than average, a recent cooling trend and higher relative humidity continues to slow active fire behavior. The cooling trend will resume Monday, Tuesday, and into the next week. These conditions should help firefighting efforts. There is a 5-10% probability of isolated showers or thunderstorms.

Smoke: Smoke from the surrounding area fires will continue to impact firefighting efforts and local communities as dictated by wind conditions. The Smoke Outlook is available at: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/b74901f7? 

Closures: U.S. Highway 199 has been closed north of Gasquet due to fires on the Six River National Forest, please use U.S. Route 101 to SR 42s for all travel to and from the Rogue Valley. Forest Service and BLM roads should not be used as alternate routes due to fire activity. The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest (RRSNF) has issued a closure order for the fire area including trails, roads, and a portion of the Illinois River. Visit https://bit.ly/RRSNFAlerts  for more information.

Evacuations: Level 1 “Get Ready” evacuation status in place for areas in the vicinity of the Flat Fire. Link to more information: https://tinyurl.com/currycountyem
Restrictions: Fire danger is currently extreme; the RRSNF is implementing Level 3 Public Use Restrictions. Level 3 PURs on the Wild Section of the Rogue River have been implemented by the RRSNF, Medford BLM and ODF. More information: https://tinyurl.com/ueuznr6e¥