Single Publication

The Diamond Complex on the Umpqua National Forest consists of 27 lightning-caused fires totaling approximately 9,663 acres, with 836 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 is temporarily closed for firefighters to prepare control lines with machinery along that road. For details, visit https://www.nps.gov/crla/learn/news/crater-lake-temporarily-closes-north-entrance-for-the-middle-fork-fire.htm  

Work along Highway 230 near the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park is complete and normal traffic patterns have resumed.  

OPERATIONS:  

Middle Fork Fire (5,039 acres, 0% contained):  A helicopter used water buckets to cool the southwest corner of the fire yesterday. To mitigate the spread potential in the southwest corner, a Wildland Fire Module is in place to construct handline and prepare for firing operations. Fuel reduction is occurring along the OHV trail on the west of the fire. Snagging and mastication along HWY 230 on the north-northeast is complete. Hose lays are in and plumbed on dozer lines. On the North Entrance Road to Crater Lake National Park, crews and equipment operators began to implement of a lighter-handed approach to vegetation clearing. Hand felling and thinning of vegetation is underway around the North Entrance booth.   

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. Hikers may not use the North Entrance Road to enter or leave Crater Lake National Park. 

Diamond Complex Fires  

Pine Bench Fire (North of Hwy 138 near Dry Creek, 2,520 acres, 44% contained): The fire moved east northeast toward Perry Butte in the Boulder Creek Wilderness yesterday, creating a visible smoke plume as it moved through heavy fuels in an old burn scar. Helicopters dropped buckets of water yesterday to cool that leading edge. Crews conducted a small burnout operation in Medicine Creek to even up the fire’s edge. Road preparation from north of Skipper Lakes south to Medicine Creek is underway with masticators and chippers. Firefighters are constructing handline near Illahee Flats to augment the road preparation on the western edge of the Boulder Creek Wilderness.   

Potter Fire (North of Hwy 138, two miles southeast of Potter Mountain, 2699 acres, 0% contained): The Diamond Mountain Hotshot crew prepared the east dozer line for firing operations in the northeast corner. The Rogue River Hotshot crew addressed the southwest corner of the fire with direct line on old roads. Firefighters caught a slopover over the line on the northwest corner of the fire yesterday, and will continue mopping that up today. Heavy helicopters supported firefighters with water drops to cool the active west end. To the north, the fire has reached the burn scar of the 2022 Potter Fire and fire personnel are using bulldozers and masticators to reopen old roads for secondary control lines.    

Ooya Fire (North of Hwy 138, one mile northeast of Bird Point, 367 acres, 38% contained): Firefighters burned out an area on the northwest edge to secure that flank. Masticating along the 2610 Road to the southwest past Bird Point will continue to create a contingency line.  

Trep Fire (About four miles south of Hwy 138, 487 acres, 0% contained): More resources have been committed to this fire for indirect and direct line construction. 

Brodie Fire (Five miles south of Hwy 138, south of Devils Canyon, 205 acres, 47% contained): Direct line was constructed on the northwest edge with a bulldozer. Crews are 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 will continue with mop-up of hot spots to secure the perimeter.  

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 fire’s edge yesterday. The 4800 Road is being prepped and opened for mastication to create a fuel break and control line. 

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): Crews are constructing fuel breaks along existing roads in the Bear Creek Canyon 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)  

Campwood Fire (Two miles south of Hwy 138, 20 acres, 100% contained)  

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: Today will start a warming and drying period, with less wind. There is a slight possibility of a thunderstorm over the area in the late afternoon. Fingering and flanking runs will be possible under a shorter burn period, but growth will depend on clear air. 

SMOKE OUTLOOK:  Smoke may return to the area and 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 Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has issued a closure for the area north and west of Crater Lake National Forest along Highway 230 south to the intersection with Highway 62. See the Closure Order and map at https://bit.ly/RRSNFAlerts 

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