Single Publication

Size: 753 acres   Location: 5 miles west of Crescent Lake Junction, OR   County: Klamath   

Start Date: July 17, 2024   Cause: Lightning   Containment: 0%   Total Personnel: 194 

Crescent, OR – The Red Fire is burning on the southwest slope of Redtop Mountain within the Diamond Peak Wilderness on the Deschutes National Forest. An assessment by the initial attack incident commander, local fire managers, and Forest staff determined the risk to responders was too great to continue with direct attack due to firefighter safety concerns including a lack of escape routes and safety zones, snag hazards, and the remote location of the fire. Currently, a full suppression strategy is being implemented utilizing shaded fuel breaks. Fire managers are continually reevaluating the safest, most effective suppression strategy based on changing weather, fuel conditions, and fire behavior. Firefighter and public safety remain the management team’s highest priority in managing this fire.  

  Yesterday’s Activities – Work continued on the two-mile section between Crescent Lake and Summit Lake to remove small brush and trees and widen the shaded fuel break.  

   Today’s Activities – Fire personnel will continue to improve the shaded fuel break between Crescent Lake and Summit Lake. Crews will also continue work to the northwest of Summit Lake constructing the shaded fuel break along Forest Service Road (FSR) 6010 and towards FSR 380 on the Willamette National Forest to connect with the suppression work being done by the 208 MF Fire. 

Weather and Smoke – Over the last 32 hours, a low pressure system deposited .6 inches of precipitation over the fire area. Precipitation over this period will not be enough to significantly wet the interior of larger fuels such as standing dead trees and fallen logs. The low pressure system will weaken and move out of the area this weekend and a warming and drying trend starts next week.   

Closures – The Deschutes National Forest emergency closure around Crescent Lake and in Diamond Peak Wilderness is still in effect. The public should note that FSR 60 is closed, and road guards have been posted for public safety. More closure information is available at: https://www.fsa.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices/?aid=89091    

  Evacuations – The WILDFIRE! Level 1 – BE READY to Evacuate notice issued by Klamath County Emergency Management for Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, and Crescent Junction areas remains in effect (INCENDIO FORESTAL! Nivel 1 - ESTÉ PREPARADO para evacuar de las siguientes zonas: Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, Crescent Junction). Visit www.klamathcounty.org/300/emergency-management for more information or to sign up for alerts. 

   Fire Restrictions – Stage 2 Public Use Fire Restrictions – which prohibit open fires, including in developed campgrounds – remain in effect for the Deschutes National Forest. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level is currently Level III “Partial Shutdown.” Visit fs.usda.gov/detail/deschutes/home/?cid=stelprdb5297376 for more information.   

Drone Restrictions – Aerial firefighting is suspended when unauthorized drones (UAS) are in the area. Unauthorized drone use over a fire area poses serious risks to fire personnel and the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. If you fly, we can’t.