Single Publication

Size: 755 acres Location: 5 miles west of Crescent Lake Junction, OR County: Klamath
Start Date: July 17, 2024 Cause: Lightning Containment: 0% Total Personnel: 183
Activities – Fire personnel are wrapping up the shaded fuel break along the shore of Crescent Lake.
Crews are also removing wood chips from this area as well. Crews continued to make good progress
on the shaded fuel break between Crescent Lake and Summit Lake yesterday. Log trucks and other
heavy equipment are hauling the chips and logs out of the fire area again today.
Incident Strategy – 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 and local fire managers determined the risk to responders was too great to
continue with direct attack due to firefighter safety concerns including the remote location, a lack of
escape routes and safety zones, and snag hazards. 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.
Closures – To provide for the safety of our staff, equipment operators, and public the Deschutes
National Forest emergency closure around Crescent Lake and in Diamond Peak Wilderness is still in
effect, include these areas: Forest Service Road 60 is closed, and road guards have been posted for
public safety. More closure information is available at: https://www.fsa.gov/alerts/deschutes/alertsnotices/?
aid=89091
Weather and Smoke – Much warmer and drier conditions were experienced across the fire on
Monday under mostly clear skies. Highs were in the mid to upper 60s with minimum relative humidity
around 37 to 43 percent. Winds were generally terrain driven around 5 to 10 mph.
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/emergencymanagement
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.