Single Publication

The Diamond Complex on the Umpqua National Forest consists of 27 lightning-caused fires totaling approximately 8,885 acres, with 796 people assigned. The Middle Fork Fire in the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park has 40 people assigned, and the Diamond Complex is sharing resources as needed. The park remains open. 

KEY MESSAGES: For public and firefighter safety, the North Entrance Road in the park will be closed for approximately seven days beginning today for firefighters to prepare control lines. For details, visit https://www.nps.gov/crla/learn/news/crater-lake-temporarily-closes-north-entrance-for-the-middle-fork-fire.htm  

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 (5,039 acres, 0% contained):  On the western flank, roads are being prepared as fuel breaks with masticators and tree fallers. Fire managers continue scouting for secondary containment lines. A Wildland Fire Module is looking for opportunities for indirect line construction and burnout to mitigate the spread potential in the southwest corner. Snagging and mastication along HWY 230 on the north-northeast will be finished today and both lanes of travel should be open by evening. Hose lays are in and plumbed on dozer lines. The headwaters of the Rogue River are part of the Wild and Scenic River system, limiting containment options for the northwest edge of the fire. This will make HWY 230 the main containment line for future firing operations. Today, outside the north entrance road to Crater Lake National Park, crews and equipment operators plan to implement a trial run of a lighter-handed approach to vegetation clearing. If deemed appropriate by park managers, this method will continue inside the park on the north entrance road.  

The eastern flank reached the bottom of Devil’s Ridge, where it is expected to move uphill through sparse fuels. Air resources, including helicopters for water bucket drops and reconnaissance 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, 2,238 acres, 49% contained): Infrared imaging from a drone reconnaissance flight confirmed the Pine Bench Fire has not crossed Boulder Creek. Helicopter bucket work yesterday and today will cool hot spots in the Boulder Creek drainage. On the eastern flank, fire crews continue making progress with mop-up and securing established fire line along Forest Service (FS) Road 4774. Road preparation continues on the western edge of the Boulder Creek Wilderness. Structure protection in Deer Creek was completed yesterday between the Pine Bench and Potter Fires.  

Potter Fire (North of Hwy 138, two miles southeast of Potter Mountain, 2591 acres, 0% contained): A crew constructed hand line on the western flank to tie in with dozer line. This work will continue today with the addition of a Hotshot crew. Helicopters supported firefighters with water drops to cool the active west end. Masticators are working to improve current dozer line on the east flank. To the north, the fire has reached the burn scar of the 2022 Potter Fire and fire personnel are assessing previous control lines as viable options for slowing spread north.   

Ooya Fire (North of Hwy 138, one mile northeast of Bird Point, 359 acres, 13% contained): Firefighters are mopping up on the north edge, supported by skidgines and using hose lays. Masticating along the 2610 Road will continue to create a contingency line. Crews also continue mop-up on the established lines on the eastern and western flanks. 

Trep Fire (About four miles south of Hwy 138, 472 acres, 0% contained): Strategies are being developed on the eastern flank as resources become available from other fires that have been secured. 

Brodie Fire (Five miles south of Hwy 138, south of Devils Canyon, 199 acres, 50% contained): A crew will be securing the perimeter with direct line, supported by a hose lay with water pumped from Skookum Lake.  

Lemolo Fire (North of Lemolo Lake on Bunker Hill, 1247 acres, 34% 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.  

Trail Fire (East of Hwy 138 on the west slope of Mt. Thielsen, 844 acres, 63% contained): Firefighters are mopping and securing the eastern edge into the Mount Thielsen Wilderness, using a hose lay with water. 

Lost Fire (Northeast of Trep Fire, 58 acres, 0% contained). Helicopters dropped water to cool the Lost Fire yesterday. The 4800 Road is being prepped and opened for mastication to create a fuel break and control line. 

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): Road preparation along the western edge of the Mt. Bailey Roadless Area will begin as a contingency line for this group of fires.  

Other fires within the Diamond Complex:   

Loafer Fire (43 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 have cooler temperatures, higher humidity levels, with continued west-southwest winds with potential gusts of up to 17 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: The Umpqua National Forest has three closures in place impacting every district of the forest. Most of the Diamond Lake Ranger District is closed. Closure Orders and maps 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 now a Level 1: BE SET for the Pine Bench Fire from Slide Creek to Soda Springs area. There is 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