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 73% contained. Twenty-eight of the 32 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 27% 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. 

Containment of the Diamond Complex increased by one percent from yesterday to 73 percent, despite the decrease of relative humidity and dryer conditions. Lower relative humidities and higher temperatures are leading to an increase in smoke activity. Infrared flights show additional heat sources, though all remain in the fire perimeters. Fire crews continue to patrol and mop-up, locating and extinguishing areas of residual heat to the extent necessary on the fire edges. An initial attack group, comprised of hand crews, engines, dozers, water tenders, falling modules, and task force leaders are in place to swiftly respond if there any new fire starts. Excess equipment is being backhauled and relocated as needed.

OPERATIONS:

Middle Fork Fire: (5,280 acres, 27% contained):

Three crews have been inserted and constructing direct fireline using minimally invasive suppression tactics (MIST) and are making forward progress. 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. 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.

Emerson Fire (0.1 acres, 0% contained)

The Emerson has fireline around it. 

Fish Fire (.5 acres, 0% contained)

The fire is staying in its current footprint.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:

Today we will have elevated fire weather conditions for very low relative humidity and breezy winds. Very dry air is spilling over the Cascade crest today leading to poor recoveries on the ridges this morning. Winds will be variable this afternoon before northeast winds become dominant at the end of the day. It will remain sunny all day with relative humidities down into the teens, with poor recoveries expected tonight on the ridgelines. Hot and dry weather will continue on Thursday. 

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 27, 2024 the Forest issued an updated closure order, allowing increased access to specific roads, trails, and campgrounds that are listed as exemptions in Forest Order 06-15-24-07. 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.