Single Publication

RED FIRE DAILY UPDATE

Sunday, August 18, 2024

541-208-1766, 2024.red@firenet.gov

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

Size: 730 acres  Location: 5 miles west of Crescent Lake Junction, OR County: Klamath

Start Date: July 17, 2024 Cause: Lightning Containment: 0% Total Personnel: 244

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 – Phase 3 of the shaded fuel break is 100% complete spanning from the railroad near Odell Lake to the Crescent Lake Snowpark. Phase 1 is nearly complete, and progress continued along the Crescent Lake Summer Homes. Team members from Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 8 arrived and received an overview of the fire in preparation for the transition of command.

Today’s Activities – The Southern Area Gray Team is happy to welcome the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 8 to Oregon. Today, they will shadow the Southern Area Gray Team members as they coordinate their transition into leadership roles and prepare to assume command of the fire on Monday, August 19, at 6 a.m. Crews will continue implementation of Phases 1 and 2 around the fire area in coordination with heavy equipment.

Weather and Smoke – Winds are expected to be around 7-10 mph out of the west with temperatures in the mid-60s in the fire area. The fire will continue to creep and smolder. 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.