Single Publication

Anvil Fire

Size: 6,650 acres

Start Date:  August 25, 2023      

Location:  8 miles east of Port Orford, OR
Containment:  0%         

Total personnel:  341                  

Resources:  9 crews, 4 helicopters, 10 engines

After low visibility kept Anvil Fire aerial resources grounded yesterday morning, helicopters dropped 62,000 gallons of water on the fire throughout the afternoon. An Unmanned Aerial System (drone) was utilized to look for any hot spots or areas where small fires may have started outside of the perimeter.

The Elk River drainage remains a high priority with resources focusing on structure protection along Elk River and McGribble Roads, creating direct containment lines in areas where firefighters have safe access and a high probability of success. Crews also continue to improve existing roads and natural features to use as containment lines. Additional resources were moved to the southern side of the fire to identify opportunities where crews can safely engage the fire directly. Great Basin Team 4, local fire authorities, and cooperators have plans in place in the event the fire moves towards residences.

Smoke impacts will likely limit aerial resources today until later in the afternoon when visibility is forecast to improve.

Evacuations:  A Level 3 “Go“ evacuation status is in place along Elk River Road from milepost 4 to the Butler Bar Campground.  There are Level 2 “Get Set“ evacuations in place from the intersection of U.S. Highway 101 and Elk River Road to milepost 4 on Elk River Road as well as along Sixes River Road from Edson Creek Campground to Sixes River Campground, about 16 miles east of U.S. Highway 101. An interactive evacuation map is available from the Curry County Sheriff’s Office at https://bit.ly/45UIh2E. Sign up for Curry Co. emergency alerts at https://bit.ly/CurryCoEM.

Flat Fire

Size:  34,242 acres           

Start Date:  July 15, 2023              

Location:  2 miles southeast of Agness, OR

Containment:  75%         

Total personnel:  212                   

Resources:  1 crew, 3 helicopters, 7 engines

The Flat Fire continues to have widely scattered interior smoldering, however no perimeter growth is expected. Heavy equipment and hand crews completed the majority of suppression repair on firelines that were created as contingency containment lines. Additional work is expected to be completed over the next week. Although some smoke may be visible, it is generally from internal pockets of unburned vegetation. Fire managers will continue to monitor this activity and respond as appropriate to prevent additional fire spread while also ensuring firefighter safety.

Evacuations:  A Level 1 “Get Ready” evacuation status is in place for areas near the Flat Fire.  

General Information

Weather:  Overnight, light east winds were observed with a distinct moisture and temperature gradient based on elevation. Very warm and critically dry conditions continue over the area today. Slightly cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity are expected this weekend with mostly light east winds at night and northwest ridgetop winds during the day.   

Smoke:  Visit https://bit.ly/SWORsmoke for current smoke and air quality updates.

Area and Road Closures:  The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has issued a closure order for the Anvil Fire. Visit https://bit.ly/RRSNFAlerts for closure maps and information. The Bureau of Land Management’s Edson and Sixes Campgrounds are closed until further notice. Please drive slowly and with headlights on through any fire area, especially when smoke limits visibility.  Heavy equipment and firefighter transportation vehicles are using the area highways and roads as well. Caltrans issued a schedule of road closures and lane restrictions on US-199. Local law enforcement cautions against any non-essential traffic along this route. For specific information on road access, please see the Caltrans QuickMap site at: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ and Oregon Department of Transportation site at: https://www.tripcheck.com/.  Do not use forest roads for alternate routes.

Restrictions:  The RRSNF fire danger is high and the Industrial Fire Precaution is at Level 2. Public Use Restrictions remain at Stage 3 across the forest and on the Wild Section of the Rogue National Wild and Scenic River. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction over the fire areas. Please do not fly unmanned aircraft (drones) in the fire vicinity.