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. 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 fires totaling approximately 11,152 acres and is 72% contained. Twenty-eight of the 32 fires in the Diamond Complex are now 100 percent contained. The Emerson 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. There was an increase in smoke activity due to the drier temperatures. Suppression repair activities are continuing on the fully contained fires, which restores 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 hazard trees for firefighter safety along the 230 Road and along the North Entrance Road. The north entrance to Crater Lake National Park remains closed. Infrared monitoring identified limited spread. Crews are continuing to make forward progression. The park remains open.

Diamond Complex Fires:

Pine Bench Fire (North of Hwy 138 near Dry Creek, 3,990 acres, 56% contained):

Crews will be patrolling the southwest portion. The operation is determining how to tactfully insert firefighters in the northern portion of the fire. Firefighters will continue to patrol and mop up the southern edge. 

Potter Fire (North of Hwy 138, two miles southeast of Potter Mountain, 3,416 acres, 23% contained):

On the eastern and northern side, firefighters continue to mop up the line. In the southern portion firefighters are immersed in steep and rugged terrain looking for opportunities to create fireline.

Loafer Fire (44 acres, 100% contained)

Emerson Fire (0.1 acres, 0% contained)

Fish Fire (.5 acres, 0% contained)

The fire is staying in its current footprint.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:

A dry cold front is expected to push through the complex today. But will be starved of moisture bringing only high and mid-level clouds. Due to the cooler temperatures, relative humidity will increase. Winds will trend upward from the west with gusts reaching up to 20moh in the channeled valley locations. However, Tuesday night through Thursday, a dry air will spill over the Cascade crest allowing for very low humidity values for the middle of the week, leading to elevated conditions. 

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.