Single Publication

Size: 1,018 acres   Location: 5 miles west of Crescent Lake Junction, OR   County: Klamath  

Start Date: July 17, 2024   Cause: Lightning   Containment: 0%   Total Personnel: 110

Activities – An overnight infrared flight mapped the fire at 1,018 acres, an increase of 141 acres. Thermal imagery shows that most of the additional acres burned were within the existing footprint of the fire with some new fire growth downslope. Today, work along the shaded fuel breaks will continue with chip, slash, and log removal. Structure protection equipment remains in place along Crescent Lake and is periodically being tested. While there has been an increase in fire activity and smoke production, the smoke column visible along the Cascade crest is from the 208 Fire to the west, which is being managed under the Willamette Complex Fires-South. The Red Fire and Willamette Complex Fires - South incident management teams and forest leadership for the Deschutes and Willamette National Forests are coordinating, and we are monitoring the nearby 208 Fire.

Strategy – A full suppression strategy is being implemented utilizing indirect tactics, shaded fuel breaks, structure protection equipment, trails, and hose lays. When the fire started, an assessment by the initial attack incident commander, local fire managers and forest staff determined the risk to responders was too great to continue with direct attack due to a lack of escape routes and safety zones, snag hazards, and firefighter safety issues in the remote location. Firefighters are continually reevaluating the safest, most effective suppression strategy based on changing weather, fuel conditions, and fire behavior. Firefighter and public safety remain the incident management team’s highest priority in managing this fire. Expect to see increased fire activity due to the warmer and drier conditions.

Closures – To provide for the safety of firefighters, equipment operators, and the public, the Deschutes National Forest emergency closure around Crescent Lake and in the Diamond Peak Wilderness is still in effect. Forest Service Road 60 is closed, and road guards have been posted for public safety. The emergency closure is being reevaluated daily as conditions continue to change. More closure information is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices/?aid=89091. 

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is closed from north of Windigo Pass (Mile 1883.5) to Highway 58 (Mile 1909.5). The previous PCT detour around the fire has been decommissioned as of noon on September 4. Currently there is not a detour around the closure. A map displaying the PCT closure can be viewed on the Pacific Crest Trail Association’s (PCTA) website at: https://closures.pcta.org/closure/Mr02blDvEwX1SJ9h1H49. 

The 2024 season for commercially harvesting Matsutake mushrooms opened for the Deschutes National Forest this week and will close on November 4, 2024. The emergency fire closure impacts certain harvesting locations. 

Incident Weather, Fire Behavior, and Smoke – Temperatures and relative humidity will again reach critical values today. Temperatures will be 80 to 85 degrees and relative humidity is forecasted to reach 14% to 19% during the day. A light east wind will reduce overnight humidity recovery further contributing to drier conditions. These conditions will persist into the weekend. 

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