Single Publication

July 25, 2023

Flat Fire Morning Update

Start Date:  July 15, 2023

Size: 22,697                                            

Point of origin: 2 miles southeast of Agness, OR

Containment: 3%

Cause: Human caused, Under Investigation

Total personnel: 1,528

Resources: 46 engines l 36 crews l 9 bulldozers l 24 water tenders l 8 masticators l 8 helicopters
 

Current Situation: Cooler temperatures and higher humidity moderated fire behavior yesterday. Most of the fire growth in recent days is a result of successful firing and holding operations in the southwest portion of the fire. The objective of these burnout operations is to eliminate vegetation between the wildfire and the road systems that firefighters are using as control features. Structure protection groups remain in the communities of Oak Flat and Agness. These resources are also prepared to provide support to other parts of the incident if needed.

Today’s activities: Firefighters will continue ignitions from the Game Lake area working south along Forest Road (FR) 3680 towards Snow Camp in the southwest portion of the fire. Unstaffed Aerial Systems (UAS) and helicopters will assist crews with burning operations as needed to create more depth along control lines. In the northeast, crews will continue reducing fuels along road systems including Burnt Ridge Road (Forest Road 2308) and Forest Road 150 in preparation for future containment efforts.

Firefighters will continue to extinguish sources of heat further in from the fireline along the northern perimeter, east and west of the Illinois River. Resources will also continue to reduce fuels along road systems to establish primary and contingency lines and prepare for planned burnout operations in the northeast and southwest in an effort to keep the fire as small as possible.

Evacuations: A Level 2 “Get Set” evacuation notice remains in effect from Agness to Quosatana Creek and for the areas of Oak Flat, Old House Creek Road and Spud Road. Curry County is using Everbridge to send evacuation notices. You can sign up for notifications here: https://www.co.curry.or.us/departments/emergency_management/index.php.

Weather: A slight warming and drying weather pattern will begin over the fire area today.

Smoke: The Smoke Outlooks are available at https://www.airnow.gov/ or oregonsmoke.org.

Closures: The Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest has issued a closure order for the fire area including trails, roads and a portion of the Illinois River. Oak Flat Campground, Game Lake

Campground, Wild Horse Campground and Snow Camp Lookout Recreation Rentals are all closed as part of the area closure. More information can be found here: bit.ly/RRSNFClosures.

Restrictions: Fire Restrictions are in place, to learn more visit: fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou

Please slow down and be careful when driving near the fire area and incident camps due to increased fire traffic. The public is asked to be especially cautions when driving on Bear Camp Road (Forest Service Road 23). There is heavy public and fire-related traffic on this road.