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Middle Fork Fire

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Unit Information

P.O. Box 7 Crater Lake OR 97604 Oregon 
Crater Lake, 
Oregon 
97604 
P.O. Box 7 Crater Lake OR 97604 Oregon 
Crater Lake, 
Oregon 
97604 

Incident Contacts

  • Public Affairs Officer Marsha McCabe
    Email:
    marsha_mccabe@nps.gov
    Phone:
    541-594-3091

Diamond Complex and Middle Fork Daily Update 08-19-2024

Middle Fork Fire
Publication Type: News - 08/19/2024 - 09:00

The Diamond Complex on the Umpqua National Forest consisted of 28 lightning-caused fires totaling approximately 10,984 acres, 38% contained.  Twenty of the original 28 fires in the Diamond Complex are now 100 percent contained.

The Middle Fork Fire in the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park is 5,222 acres and is 0% contained.  

On Saturday August 17th there were two Initial Attack (IA) responses (Luke Fire and Twin Peaks) within the operational area.  Initial Attack (IA) resources went direct, secured and conducted mop up.

OPERATIONS:  

Middle Fork Fire:

 (5,222 acres, 0% contained): 

Today, crews will continue clearing vegetation along the 230 Road and at the North Entrance to Crater Lake National Park. On the southern side, crews will continue to look for areas of opportunity to limit spread and make trails more defensible to the south. The park remains open.

Diamond Complex Fires:  

Pine Bench Fire (North of Hwy 138 near Dry Creek, 3,922 acres, 30% contained): 

Hand and Dozers crews pushed into the lower portion to attack the flank. A spot fire in Slide Creek was discovered and quickly secured by the resources. Today’s priority will be to contain the movement into Medicine Creek and reinforce the Slide Creek area. Crews will also be improving the road system by removing vegetation from the west side, moving north. 

Potter Fire (North of Hwy 138, two miles southeast of Potter Mountain, 3,320 acres, 6% contained):  

On the north side, crews engaged directly on the flanks and reinforcing firelines with dozer operations. Additionally, crews will continue clearing vegetation along the 265 Road, and prep the roads to the east and to the west. On the south side crews will continue looking for opportunities for containment to protect infrastructure.   

Trep Fire (About four miles south of Hwy 138, 543 acres, 0% contained):

Resources will continue to improve conditions along the northern perimeter. On the south side, mop up will continue and prevent spread to the east into the Bear Creek Drainage. 

Other fires within the Diamond Complex:

Lost Fire (Northeast of Trep Fire, 64 acres, 0% contained): 

Ooya Fire (North of Hwy 138, one mile northeast of Bird Point, 373 acres, 73% contained):

Crews will mop up and secure the remaining open line. 

Lemolo Fire (North of Lemolo Lake on Bunker Hill, 1,246 acres, 100% contained): 

Crews will continue to mop up and back-haul excess equipment. 

Trail Fire (East of Hwy 138 on the west slope of Mt. Thielsen, 842 acres, 77% contained):

Crews will continue to mop up and secure the area. 

Trap Fire (One mile south of Hwy 138 near Trap Mountain, 17 acres, 0% contained): 

Loafer Fire (44 acres, 56% contained) 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:

Precipitation, cooler temperatures and higher humidity minimized fire behavior. Minimal fire spread, backing, creeping and smoldering was observed over the last 24 hours. 

SMOKE OUTLOOK:  

For the most up to date information, please visit fire.airnow.gov/  

EVACUATIONS:

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has lifted evacuation orders for all areas except for east of the Pine Bench Fire, which remains at a Level 1: BE SET for a single residence east of the Potter Fire. For an interactive map of evacuations, visit the Douglas Co. Sheriff’s Office website: www.dcso.com/evacuations 

FOREST CLOSURE:

The Umpqua National Forest has two 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://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umpqua/fire/?cid=FSEPRD937986

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://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices.

PARK CLOSURE:

Crater Lake National Park has several closures in effect, closure orders and maps can be found at: https://www.nps.gov/crla/learn/news/crater-lake-temporarily-closes-north-entrance-for-the-middle-fork-fire.htm.

REMINDER: 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 and bikers may not use the North Entrance Road to enter or leave Crater Lake National Park.