Single Publication

Our primary mission on the Diamond Complex and Middle Fork Fire is to serve the public diligently. With the safety of the public and 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. Our firefighters are maintaining mop-up and patrol efforts on contained fires to ensure they remain within the current fire footprint. Utilizing safe, yet effective firefighting suppression methods, our goal is to help you return to enjoying the outdoors.

The Diamond Complex in the Umpqua National Forest consists of 32 lightning-caused fires totaling approximately 11,152 acres and is 68% contained. Twenty-eight of the 32 fires in the Diamond Complex are now 100 percent contained. The Twin fire is 0.1 acres and has fireline around it. 

The Middle Fork Fire in the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park is 5,280 acres and is 2% 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. 

Yesterday, the firelines were tested by the decrease of relative humidity and dryer conditions, leading to the 4% increase in containment on the Diamond Complex. Today, crews will focus on continuing mop up, looking for remaining heat identified by infrared monitoring. They will also continue with suppression repair, which involves restoring areas affected by firefighting efforts. Additionally, an initial attack group including hand crews, engines, dozers, water tenders, falling modules, and task force leaders are ready to respond swiftly to any new fire starts.

OPERATIONS:

Middle Fork Fire: (5,280 acres, 2% contained):

Crews continue to remove heavy timber and vegetation to create a shaded fuel break along the 230 Road and at the north entrance to Crater Lake National Park. The north entrance to Crater Lake National Park remains closed. Infrared monitoring has detected limited spread of the fire. Hotshot crews will camp out for the next few days to address the areas of heat identified by the infrared scans. The park remains open.

Diamond Complex Fires:

Pine Bench Fire (North of Hwy 138 near Dry Creek, 3,990 acres, 52% contained):

Infrared sensing along the northern edge of the fire is showing few hot spots and reduced fire activity in the Wilderness. Firefighters are working hotspots and taking advantage of aviation resources to assist with the hazards for firefighters in steep terrain. 

Potter Fire (North of Hwy 138, two miles southeast of Potter Mountain, 3,416 acres, 15% contained):

Crews are continuing to mop up from the North towards Nancy Creek. Hotshot crews will be working on the south and east side as directly on the fire’s edge as possible. Firefighters are continuing to secure and mop up while maintaining safe and effective operations in steep and difficult terrain. 

Ooya Fire (North of Hwy 138, one mile northeast of Bird Point, 374 acres, 100% contained): Crews are beginning to repair all areas impacted by suppression efforts with the help of identified resource experts.

Other fires within the Diamond Complex:

Loafer Fire (44 acres, 56% contained)

Twin Fire (0.1 acres, 0% contained)

Fish Fire (.5 acres, 0% contained)

Crews have plans to create a fireline around and mop up.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:

High pressure will build over the fire area today, which will allow temperature and humidity values to trend back to seasonal normal. This will lead to elevating fire weather conditions as relative humidity values become dry and winds increase out of the west. It will be mostly sunny with just some high clouds streaming across the area. A weak cold front will push through the region on Tuesday bringing high clouds and an upward trend in westerly winds. Much drier air will arrive in the area by Wednesday. 

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.