Single Publication

The Diamond Complex on the Umpqua National Forest consists of 27 lightning-caused fires totaling approximately 8,256 acres, with 743 people assigned. The Middle Fork Fire in the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park has 28 people assigned, but the Diamond Complex is sharing resources as needed. The park remains open. 

KEY MESSAGES: We will no longer be reporting on the following fires, which have reached 100% containment: Birds, Canal, Clearwater, Dog, Elephant, Garwood, Mowich, Pig Iron, Sheep, Slide, Toolbox, and Watson.  

Highway 230 along the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park will be one-lane traffic with a flagger and pilot car due to work occurring on the Middle Fork Fire. Expect delays and plan accordingly. 

OPERATIONS:  

Middle Fork Fire (4,718 acres, 0% contained): On the western flank crews continue road preparation with mastication and are scouting for additional containment features. On the northern portion of the fire up to HWY 230, sawyers are cutting down hazardous trees in preparation for potential firing operations. To the north northeast between HWY 230 and HWY 138, log loaders are moving large debris from established dozer lines, creating up to a 60-foot buffer. These dozer lines will be equipped with hose lays and water resources. Today outside the north entrance road to Crater Lake National Park, crews and heavy equipment operators will trial a lighter-handed approach to clearing vegetation to determine its effectiveness, in balance with impacts to the landscape. If determined appropriate, this method will continue inside the park on the north entrance road. 

Perimeter fire growth was minimal yesterday as most of the fuel consumption remained on ground level. Fire spread potential remains with current forecasted weather conditions. Air resources remain available in the form of helicopters and the arrival of two Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The Pacific Crest Trail from the Dutton Ridge Intersection to Hwy 138, Lightning Springs, Bald Crater Loop, Bert Creek, and Boundary Springs Trails (within the park) are closed.  

Diamond Complex Fires  

Pine Bench Fire (North of Hwy 138 near Dry Creek, 2,203 acres, 51% contained): Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) performed a recon flight on the Boulder Creek drainage to gather infrared imaging of fire activity. On the eastern flank, fire crews continue to cool the fire’s edge (mop-up) and secure established fire line along Forest Service (FS) Road 4774. To the west of the Boulder Creek Wilderness, road preparation continues on FS 4670. Road preparation with heavy equipment on Forest Service Roads 3402 and 3400 in between the Pine Bench and Potter Fires is near completion. To the southeast fire crews will continue structure protection activities. 

Potter Fire (North of Hwy 138, two miles southeast of Potter Mountain, 2367 acres, 0% contained): Crews are putting finishing touches on structure protection wrap and hose lays around wooden trestles and other hydropower infrastructure south of the fire. On the eastern flank a dozer line has been established and crews will continue to secure the line. To the north, resources have been added to start containment features.  

Ooya Fire (North of Hwy 138, one mile northeast of Bird Point, 327 acres, 0% contained): Favorable conditions allowed drone operators to perform a firing operation on the western flank yesterday. Today, firefighters will fight the fire directly with a combination of hand and dozer lines, utilizing hose lays and water to secure the eastern and western flanks. 

Lost Fire (Northeast of the Trep Fire, 58 acres, 0% contained): Helitack crews remain in place today. 

Bear Trap Fire (Two miles south of Hwy 138 near Bear Trap Mountain, 65 acres, 14% contained), Campwood Fire (Two miles south of Hwy 138, 20 acres, 0% contained), Wood Fire (Two miles south of Hwy 139, 23 acres, 58% contained), Trap Fire (One mile south of Hwy 138 near Trap Mountain, 16 acres, 0% contained): Firefighters are shifting attention to these fires, located north of Trep and Lost fires, to increase containment features.  

Brodie Fire (Five miles south of Hwy 138, south of Devils Canyon, 189 acres, 0% contained): Masticator work will continue today on the access road to the fires edge. A water pump is operating at Skookum Lake, syphoning water to hose lays on the fire line to be used to cool the fire’s edge. 

Lemolo Fire (North of Lemolo Lake on Bunker Hill, 1247 acres, 6% contained): Fire crews are working further into the black today to cool areas where heat remains, such as in stumps and logs, and will patrol the line.  

Trep Fire (About four miles south of Hwy 138, 445 acres, 0% contained): A division supervisor has been added to determine containment strategies on the ridge to the south and to the east at Bear Creek. 

Trail Fire (East of Hwy 138 on the west slope of Mt. Thielsen, 843 acres, 48% contained): Firefighters will continue to mop up and secure the fire perimeter today, while addressing hot spots to the north. 

Other fires within the Diamond Complex:   

Loafer Fire (42 acres, 59% contained) 

Rough Fire (11 acres, 0% contained)  

Thin Fire (Four miles northwest of Diamond Lake, 0.6 acre, 52% contained)   

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: Today will bring sunny skies with widespread smoke as fires within the complex and surrounding areas continue to show activity. Temperatures will rise into the upper 70s to low 80s. The burn period for the day will likely be shortened due to the higher relative humidity levels and increased smoke layer through the operational period. 

SMOKE OUTLOOK:  Smoke will remain in the area and may reduce visibility and hinder air operations. For the most up to date information, please visit fire.airnow.gov/  

CLOSURES, RESTRICTIONS, EVACUATIONS: Umpqua National Forest has two closures in place across the forest in response to fire activity to protect public and wildland firefighter safety. Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-24-05 and Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-02-24-01 impacts all the Cottage Grove Ranger District, most of the Diamond Lake Ranger District, and parts of the Tiller and North Umpqua Ranger Districts. The closure orders can be found here: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices. Fire danger is set at VERY HIGH, and Public Use Restrictions Level 3 ORDER NO. 06-15-24-04 is in effect: https://tinyurl.com/PublicUseRestrictions  

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office evacuation order for the Trail Fire west of Hwy 138 is set at Level 1: Get Ready and east of Hwy 138 is set at Level 3: GO NOW. The evacuation order for the Lemolo Fire south of Lemolo Lake is set at Level 1: Be Ready and northeast of Lemolo Lake is set at Level 3: GO NOW. There is still a Level 2: BE SET for the Pine Bench Fire. There is also a Level 2: BE SET for the Potter Fire.  For an interactive map of evacuations, visit the Douglas Co. Sheriff’s Office website: www.dcso.com/evacuations