Single Publication

The Diamond Complex on the Umpqua National Forest consists of 27 lightning-caused fires totaling approximately 8,466 acres, with 734 people assigned. The Middle Fork Fire in the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park has 31 people assigned, but the Diamond Complex is sharing resources as needed. The park remains open.

KEY MESSAGES: The North Entrance Road in the park will be closed for approximately seven days beginning Tuesday, August 13th for firefighters to prepare control lines. Visit https://www.nps.gov/crla/learn/news/crater-lake-temporarily-closes-north-entrance-for-the-middle-fork-fire.htm for details.

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 (4,929 acres, 0% contained):  On the western flank crews continue road preparation using mastication and scouting for secondary containment lines. Significant heat and continuous fuels on the southwest flank pose operational challenges and personnel are looking for opportunities for indirect line construction to mitigate the spread potential. On the northern portion of the fire up to HWY 230, crews are establishing several starting and stopping points for potential future firing operations. In conjunction with the potential firing operations, to the north-northeast between HWY 230 and HWY 138, crews have installed hose lays on dozer lines. Yesterday, outside the north entrance road to Crater Lake National Park, crews and heavy equipment operators did not implement the trial run of clearing vegetation as planned. This trial run of a light-handed approach to vegetation clearing is set to happen in the coming days. If determined appropriate, this method will continue inside the park on the north entrance road. 

Perimeter fire growth was minimal yesterday overall, while the eastern flank has crept to the bottom of Devils Ridge, and hot spots have revealed to the southwest. Uphill runs at Devils Ridge are possible today with higher wind speeds. Air resources, including helicopters for water bucket drops and recon flights and unmanned aircraft systems (drones) for infrared imaging and firing operations remain available. 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, 2,221 acres, 51% contained): Yesterday, infrared imaging from a drone recon flight confirmed the Pine Bench Fire is holding in the Boulder Creek drainage. To the north, the fire perimeter is retaining heat, and the potential for spread remains. On the eastern flank, fire crews continue making progress to meet mop-up standards 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 on Forest Service Roads 3402 and 3400 between the Pine Bench and Potter Fires is near completion and crews are shifting focus to improving contingency lines.

Potter Fire (North of Hwy 138, two miles southeast of Potter Mountain, 2440 acres, 0% contained): To the east masticators will be working to improve current dozer line. On the western flank, a location for dozer line has been identified, and work to build this feature is expected to start today. To the north, the fire has reached the old burn scar of the 2022 Potter Fire and fire personnel are looking for areas to safely access the fire.

Ooya Fire (North of Hwy 138, one mile northeast of Bird Point, 345 acres, 0% contained): Firefighters rapidly responded to spot fires on the northwest perimeter yesterday, preventing spread. Established lines on the eastern and western flanks are holding, and crews are improving secondary containment features.

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, 17 acres, 0% contained): Firefighters are focused on securing these fire perimeters and reaching mop up status in order to shift attention to the Trep Fire to the south.

Brodie Fire (Five miles south of Hwy 138, south of Devils Canyon, 195 acres, 0% contained): Masticator work will continue today on the southern portion of the fire. The potential for spread to the indirect containment lines on the southwest is possible today. Water from Skookum Lake is being pumped to hose lays on the fire’s edge.

Lemolo Fire (North of Lemolo Lake on Bunker Hill, 1247 acres, 29% contained): Firefighters are mitigating road hazards on the southern fire perimeter, north of Lemolo Lake. Fire crews are reaching mop-up standards further around the perimeter every day. 

Trep Fire (About four miles south of Hwy 138, 453 acres, 0% contained): Strategies are being developed on the eastern flank as resources become available from other fires that have been secured.

Trail Fire (East of Hwy 138 on the west slope of Mt. Thielsen, 844 acres, 48% contained): Firefighters will continue to mop up and secure the fire perimeter today, addressing hot spots to the northeast into the Mount Thielsen Wilderness.

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) 

Lost Fire (Northeast of Trep Fire, 58 acres, 0% contained)

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: Today will have cooler temperatures, higher humidity levels, and bring an uptick in the west-southwest winds with potential gusts of up to 20 mph on ridge tops. Fingering and flanking runs will be
possible under a shorter burn period, but growth will depend on clear air.

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