Single Publication

RED FIRE DAILY UPDATE

Thursday, August 15, 2024

541-208-1766, 2024.red@firenet.gov https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ordef-red-fire   https://www.facebook.com/2024RedFireOR/

Size: 659 acres
Start Date:17, 2024 Cause: Lightning Containment: 0% Total Personnel: 267

Location: 5 miles west of Crescent Lake Junction, OR County: Klamath Start Date: July

Crescent, OR – The Red Fire is burning within the Diamond Peak Wilderness of the Deschutes National Forest, on the southwest slope of Redtop Mountain. The fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy. Public and firefighter safety is the highest priority in managing this fire.

Shaded Fuel Break Phases – Firefighters are completing the shaded fuel break in three phases Phase 1 includes cutting and stacking selected trees using logging equipment; Phase 2 includes limbing, trimming, and removing cut trees off site; and Phase 3 includes masticating brush and tree limbs to remove and reduce vegetation that could be fuel for the fire.

Yesterday’s Activities – Yesterday, firefighters from Australia familiarized themselves with the fire area and shaded fuel break operations. Along the railroad, crews began working on the final sections of the shaded fuel break. Crews started the final stages of Phase 3 from the Snowpark to the Crescent Lake Campground. Firefighters began Phase 2 near Cabins 64-73. Resources also began Phase 1 of the shaded fuel break around the remaining values in the Crescent Lake Summer Homes area yesterday and finalized the water flow plan for the structure protection of those homes.

Today’s Activities – Today, heavy equipment will continue to assist firefighters will the shaded fuel break construction by processing, dragging, and chipping woody debris in different phases along the fire. Firefighters also stand ready to assist with any local initial attack needs in the fire area.

Weather and Smoke – The potential for erratic and gusty winds associated with expected thunderstorms brings increased chance of fire behavior and isolated tree torching. The precipitation last night brought higher relative humidity recovery which reduced the availability of fuels to burn. Burning will be moderate to low across most of the fire today. Air quality information can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

Closures – The Deschutes National Forest has implemented an emergency closure around
Crescent Lake and in the Diamond Peak Wilderness. The public should note that 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/alerts -notices/?aid=89091

Evacuations – The WILDFIRE! Level 1 – BE READY to Evacuate notice issued by Klamath County Emergency Management for the 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 – are in effect for the Deschutes National Forest. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level is currently Level IV “General Shutdown.” Visit fs.usda.gov/detail/deschutes/home/?cid=stelprdb5297376 for more information.

Drone Restrictions – Aerial firefighting is suspended when unauthorized UAS are in the area. If you fly, we can’t.