Single Publication

Our primary mission on the Diamond Complex and Middle Fork Fire is to serve the public with dedication and compassion. With your safety and the safety of our firefighters in mind, we are committed to addressing the needs and concerns of your communities by managing and controlling the fires to keep your forests, parks, and natural areas safe and enjoyable. Using safe and aggressive firefighting suppression methods our goal is to help you return to enjoying the outdoors.

The Diamond Complex in the Umpqua National Forest consists of 30 lightning-caused fires totaling approximately 11,152 acres and is 62% contained. Twenty-five of the original 30 fires in the Diamond Complex are now 100 percent contained. 

The Middle Fork Fire in the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park is 5,280 acres and is 0% contained. The fire is primarily burning within the 2015 National Creek and 2017 Spruce Lake fire scars. Throughout the fire area there is an extreme hazard to firefighters due to falling dead standing trees remaining from the 2015 and 2017 fires.

Rains yesterday temporarily reduced fire behavior and allowed crews opportunities to scout for direct suppression opportunities. Today firefighters will continue line construction and are beginning to plan for suppression rehab activities to repair firelines along cold burned areas. Initial Attack firefighters are also standing by to respond to new fires caused by lightning strikes as needed.

OPERATIONS:

Middle Fork Fire: (5,280 acres, 0% contained):

Crews continue to remove heavy timber and vegetation along the 230 Road and at the north entrance to Crater Lake National Park. On the southern side and along the Bald Crater Trail, crews are improving firelines and looking for additional opportunities to safely engage the fire directly. The park remains open.

Diamond Complex Fires:

Pine Bench Fire (North of Hwy 138 near Dry Creek, 3,990 acres, 42% contained):

Hand crews and dozers are working in the lower portion of the fire reinforcing control lines and extinguishing hot spots along the southern edges of the fire. Infrared sensing along the northern edge of the fire is showing few hot spots and reduced fire activity in the Wilderness.

Potter Fire (North of Hwy 138, two miles southeast of Potter Mountain, 3,416 acres, 6% contained):

Crews continue to build dozer lines and hand lines on the east side of the fire into Nancy Creek in the east. On the north side, Hot Shots and Dozer operations are working through steep and dangerous terrain while facing extreme hazards from falling trees. On the southern edge of the fire crews are working to identify opportunities for direct action on the fireline.

Trep Fire (About four miles south of Hwy 138, 545 acres, 0% contained):

Firefighters are working to extinguish hot spots, reinforce control line as needed and hold the fire west of Bear Creek Drainage.

Other fires within the Diamond Complex:

Ooya Fire (North of Hwy 138, one mile northeast of Bird Point, 374 acres, 85% contained): Crews, including National Guard units, continue to patrol and extinguish hot spots.

Loafer Fire (44 acres, 56% contained)

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:

Rainfall totals of 0.4 to 0.8 inches on average fell across the entire complex overnight. There were 4 cloud to ground lightning strikes reported within the complex area. The system responsible for the recent bout of rain will move

east across the region and exit during the day on Saturday. A drying and warming trend will begin Sunday. A return to near and above normal temperatures, including increased fire behavior, is expected next week with no chances for rain on the horizon.

SMOKE OUTLOOK:

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

EVACUATIONS:

None. As of August 23, 2024 the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has lifted evacuation orders for all areas. 

FOREST CLOSURE:

On August 21, 2024 the Forest reduced the temporary closure order, allowing increased access to specific roads, trails, and campgrounds that are listed as exemptions in Forest Order 06-15-24-06. For more information visit the Umpqua National Forest website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices/?aid=88996

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:

The North Entrance Road is closed from North Junction to the park boundary at the junction with Highway 138. This closure is necessary to ensure the safety of fire crews and the public. The date for reopening is not known at this time. All other park roads will remain open, except for construction closures on East Rim Drive. Crater Lake National Park remains open and is accessible from Highway 62 on the western and southern routes.

Crater Lake National Park has several closures in effect, closure orders and maps can be found at: 

https://www.nps.gov/crla/learn/news/temporary-closure-of-north-entrance-road-continues.htm

REMINDER: The Pacific Crest Trail between the Lightning Springs and Rim Trail Intersections, Bald Crater Loop, Bert Creek and Boundary Springs Trails are closed until further notice due to potentially hazardous conditions created by the Middle Fork Fire. Hikers and bikers may not use the North Entrance Road to enter or leave Crater Lake National Park.