Single Publication

Deschutes National Forest

Forest Service News Release

For Release: July 24, 2024

Forest Closure Implemented Around Crescent Lake Due to Red Fire

A closure for the Diamond Peak Wilderness is also in effect

Crescent, Oregon. — Effective immediately, the Deschutes National Forest is closing the area around Crescent Lake due to firefighter suppression efforts and fire proximity of the Red Fire burning within the Diamond Peak Wilderness. This in addition to an existing closure that was in place for the Diamond Peak Wilderness.

This closure is being implemented for public and firefighter safety as heavy equipment will be working in the area on a shaded fuel break. Equipment has the potential to throw material over 300 feet. The shaded fuel break serves as a contingency point for holding the Red Fire, if needed. Shaded fuel breaks thin dense tree stands to reduce fire's intensity while retaining enough shade to slow down ground fire. 

Campground reservations for the campgrounds listed below are being cancelled starting today through the next week. The Forest Service and Red Fire incident management team will continue to reevaluate the need for an area closure and will reopen the area when safe to do so.

The following campgrounds, recreation sites, & resorts are temporarily closed:

• Simax Group Campground
• Crescent Lake Campground
• Summit Lake Campground 
• Spring Campground
• Contorta Point Campground
• Windy Group Campground
• Whitefish Creek Horse Camp
• Crescent Junction Sno-Park
• Crescent Lake Sno-Park
• Crescent Lake Resort
• Old Simax Day Use site
• Simax Beach North Day Use
• Simax Beach South Day Use
• Crescent Lake Day Use Area
• Tranquil Cove Day Use
• Tandy Bay Day Use Site

The following trails and trailheads are temporarily closed:

• Crater Butte Trailhead
• Metolius Windigo Trail
• Fawn Lake Trail Head
• Windy/Oldenburg Trailhead
• Meek Lake Trailhead
• Snell Lake Trailhead

The following roads are closed:

• NF-018 
• NF-050 
• NF-620 
• NF-625
• NF-290 
• NF-200 
• NF-6005 RD
• NF 6010 RD

Other temporary closures:

• Crescent Lake State Airport 
• Crescent Recreation Residences 1-73
• Crescent Lake Guard Station
• Makualla Boy Scout Camp

The Red Fire was started by lightning on July 17, 2024, and is burning within the Diamond Peak Wilderness. The fire is being managed as a full suppression response.

For information regarding the Deschutes National Forest visit fs.usda.gov/main/deschutes/home.

-USFS-