Single Publication

Size: 34,242 acres

Start Date:  July 15, 2023

Point of origin: 2 miles southeast of Agness, OR

Containment: 58%

Total personnel:  496 

Resources: 18 engines l 11 crews l 4 bulldozers l 17 water tenders l 4 masticators l 4 helicopters 

Highlights: Fire behavior consists of low rates of spread, backing, creeping, and smoldering limited to scattered pockets off heat and unburned fuels of the interior islands. Helicopters are engaging isolated areas of heat.  Single tree torching is also taking place, however containment lines are not threatened. Firefighters continue to identify fire behavior conditions that could result in rapid fire spread and engaging those areas with suppression tactics. Wind and slope alignment conditions in drainages and ridge-tops are regarded as critical indicators off potential fire spread. As a result, visual assessment of the fire lines and any remaining areas of heat is on-going.  Smoke from the Smith River Complex continues to impact various air and ground operations as well as local communities.  

Today’s Activities: Full suppression is the objective for the Flat Fire. Improving the fire lines for contingency against wind driven fire expansion is a priority. All resources are pitching in to create the best possible defenses against future fire expansion. Added contingency options are being investigated where the threat of future fire activity could be anticipated. Aviation resources continue to drop water on areas of heat in Indigo Creek drainage. Resources are improving access along 1376 Road to accommodate large firefighting equipment. Coos Forest Protective Association (CFPA) group is masticating along roadways in the south and hauling logs off site. The suppression repair plan has been approved and the team is setting priorities.  Incident personnel will continue supporting Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and CFPA for initial attack and neighboring fires as requested. 

Weather: An upper trough will bring a cooling trend and higher humidity Tuesday. Warmer and drier conditions will return midweek. Another cooling trend will move in Friday and over the weekend. Isolated showers are possible in the vicinity of the fire area all week. 

Smoke: Wind direction will influence smoke movement from the surrounding area fires and is expected to have minimal impact on the communities of Agness and Oak Flat. The Smoke Outlook is available at: Current Smoke Outlook for SW Oregon/NW California (wildlandfiresmoke.net)

Closures: U.S. Highway 199 has been closed north of Gasquet due to fires on the Six Rivers 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 Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov) 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:   Welcome to Curry County, OR

Restrictions: Fire danger is currently extreme; the RRSNF has implemented 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: Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest - News & Events (usda.gov)