Single Publication

RED FIRE UPDATE
July 22, 2024
Fire Information Line - 541-316-7711

centraloregonfire.org    x.com/CentralORFire

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-news/ordef-red-fire

Size: 256 acres | Location: 5 miles west of Crescent Lake Junction, Oregon   
County: Klamath | Start Date: July 17, 2024 | Containment: 0% | Cause: Lightning   
Total Personnel: 130

 

Klamath County, Oregon — The Red Fire is located within the Diamond Peak Wilderness on the Deschutes National Forest, on the southwest slope of Redtop Mountain. The fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy.  The Southern Area Gray Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Fulton Jeansonne, assumed command of the fire on Friday, July 19, at 6:00 a.m. local time. Public and firefighter safety is the highest priority in managing this fire.

The Diamond Peak Wilderness encompasses 52,500 rugged acres straddling the crest of the Cascade Mountains. It was designated in 1964 by the Wilderness Act, to be stewarded in its natural, undeveloped condition. Motorized equipment, motor vehicles, and aircraft are prohibited in Wilderness by federal law, with narrow criteria for exceptions. The USDA Forest Service has authorized the use of chain saws, portable pumps, fire retardant, and aircraft landings by firefighters on the Red Fire since initial attack.

At 8:00 p.m., on Sunday, July 21, the Southern Area Gray Incident Management Team also assumed command of the Jackpine Fire located in Klamath and Deschutes counties. Firefighters continue to work in full suppression strategy. Additional information is available in a separate Jackpine Fire Daily Updates.

                                                    
Yesterday’s Activities – Firefighters continued to assess and scout opportunities for containment lines in the Wilderness. Structure assessment work was completed in the area of Odell Lake, Crescent Lake Junction, and Crescent Lake. Construction of a shaded fuel break continued along the west side of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and the north side of Forest Service Road 60. The reduction in acreage is due to more accurate mapping based on an infrared flight.

Today’s Activities – Firefighters will continue to assess and scout opportunities for control features in the Wilderness. Construction of the shaded fuel break will continue along the west side of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and the north side of Forest Service Road 60, west of the community of Crescent Lake Junction.

Weather – Mostly sunny with haze throughout the day. High temperature near 75, minimum humidity 35-45 percent. Winds light in the morning, then west to northwest 4-8 mph with gusts to 20 mph in the afternoon.

Community Meeting – A Red Fire Community Meeting has been scheduled for Monday, July 22, at 6:00 p.m. at: Central Cascades Fire & EMS Community Service Center, 20400 Crescent Lake Hwy, Crescent Lake, OR 97733.

Evacuation Notice – WILDFIRE! Level 1 - BE READY to evacuate.

Klamath County Emergency Management has issued a WILDFIRE! Level 1 - BE READY to evacuate notice for the following areas: Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, Crescent Junction.

Klamath County Emergency Management. INCENDIO FORESTAL! Nivel 1 - ESTÉ PREPARADO para evacuar de las siguientes zonas: Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, Crescent Junction.

Plan to go to the Crescent Community Club if a Level 3: Go Now! evacuation is issued. There will be more information, respite, and disaster case management in-processing. ADA: Yes.

Fire Restrictions – Public use fire restrictions are currently in effect for the Deschutes National Forest. Visit CentralOregonFire.org or the Deschutes National Forest’s website (fs.usda.gov/detail/deschutes/home/?cid=stelprdb5297376) for more information.

Air quality information can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the fire area. If you fly, we can’t. Unauthorized drone flights (UAS) pose serious risks to firefighter and public safety and the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. Aerial firefighting is suspended when unauthorized UAS are in the area, allowing wildfires to grow larger.