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RED FIRE DAILY UPDATE Friday, August 16, 2024 541-208-1766, 2024.red@firenet.gov

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ordef-red-fire https://www.facebook.com/2024RedFireOR/   

Size: 723 acres   Location: 5 miles west of Crescent Lake Junction, OR   County: Klamath Start Date: July 17, 2024   Cause: Lightning   Containment: 0%   Total Personnel: 243 

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 – Crews progressed further into Phase 1 along the Crescent Lake Summer Homes. Phase 3 was completed near Cabins 64-73 as well as the area from the Snowpark to the Crescent Lake Campground. Firefighters moved 27,000 gallons of water through the established hose lay protecting and prepping values along the lay. 

Today’s Activities – Firefighters will continue to remove and clean up woody debris in areas where Phase 3 has been completed. Crews will progress further into Phase 1 along the Crescent Lake Summer Homes area. Along Forest Service Road (FSR) 6010, firefighters will coordinate with resources from the Willamette Complex South Fire to strengthen defensible areas along FSR 6010. 

Weather and Smoke – Fire activity is expected to be similar as previous days with continued creeping and smoldering. On the southern end, the fire is expected to continue backing towards the White Fish Creek Trail. Fire behavior will be low to moderate across most of the fire today because of the recent rainfall and erratic and gusty winds from associated the storms. 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 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.