Single Publication

The Diamond Complex on the Umpqua National Forest consists of 27 lightning-caused fires totaling approximately 9,930 acres, with 870 people assigned. The Middle Fork Fire in the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park has 41 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  

Sixteen of the 27 fires in the Diamond Complex are now 100 percent contained. 

OPERATIONS:  

Middle Fork Fire (5,075 acres, 0% contained):  The Wildland Fire Module conducted low-intensity burnout operations in the southwest corner. Fuel reduction continues along roads and trails on the west of the fire. Fire managers are waiting for the right conditions for firing operations on the north side of the fire near Hwy 230.  At the North Entrance to Crater Lake National Park, crews and equipment operators are slowly moving south along the North Entrance Road, clearing vegetation with a specialized machine called a “Spider”.    

The eastern flank near Klamath Ridge showed the most activity on Wednesday. Air resources, including helicopters for water bucket drops and reconnaissance flights and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, or 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, 3,250 acres, 32% contained): Crews continued a small burnout operation in Medicine Creek to even up the fire’s edge, and the UAS finished the firing last evening. Firefighters continue to mop up a series of spot fires along the east edge near Camel Hump. A structure protection plan is being developed for residences near the northwest corner of the Boulder Creek Wilderness. The fire remains east of Boulder Creek and has burned to a natural barrier in the drainage, slowing progression on the northwest corner.      

Potter Fire (North of Hwy 138, two miles southeast of Potter Mountain, 2,737 acres, 0% contained): The Diamond Mountain Hotshot crew burned out from the east dozer line in the northeast corner near Beverly Creek. The Rogue River Hotshot crew is constructing handline down a ridge southwest of Potter Mountain. Firefighters are building direct line around a slopover on the northwest corner of the fire in the Nancy Creek drainage and mopping up. To the north, firefighters are improving dozer lines.     

Trep Fire (About four miles south of Hwy 138, 492 acres, 0% contained): Fire crews are securing the north edge, and will build direct line on the south edge today.  

Ooya Fire (North of Hwy 138, one mile northeast of Bird Point, 372 acres, 37% contained): Ooya is now boxed in with containment lines and mopping up of the western flank is underway.  Masticating along the 2610 Road to the southwest past Bird Point will continue to create a contingency line.  

Brodie Fire (Five miles south of Hwy 138, south of Devils Canyon, 207 acres, 45% contained): Direct line is being constructed that will tie into the road system. Crews doing mop-up are being supported with water pumped from Skookum Lake.  

Lemolo Fire (North of Lemolo Lake on Bunker Hill, 1247 acres, 46% contained): The fire is slowly filling in between the southern edge and the Lemolo Lakeshore. Mop up continues to secure the perimeter.  

Trail Fire (East of Hwy 138 on the west slope of Mt. Thielsen, 842 acres, 77% contained): Firefighters are mopping and securing the eastern edge into the Mount Thielsen Wilderness, using a hose lay with water and helicopter bucket support as needed. Backhauling of equipment has started there for reuse on other areas of the complex.  

Lost Fire (Northeast of Trep Fire, 63 acres, 0% contained): The 4800 Road is being prepped and opened for mastication to create a fuel break and contingency control line. 

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:   

Bear Trap (65 acres, 14% contained) This fire was previously erroneously reported as contained.   

Loafer Fire (43 acres, 58% contained) 

Rough Fire (11 acres, 100% contained)  

Thin Fire (1 acre, 100% contained)  

Wood Fire (23 acres, 100% contained) 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: Today will be cooler and wetter, with a threat of isolated to scattered thunderstorms. Any active fire behavior will likely be from any outflow winds associated with thunderstorms. 

SMOKE OUTLOOK:  Smoke has returned to 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 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