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Highlight: Forest closures remain in place in both fire areas. Recent precipitation across the forest allowed for the lifting of Public Use Restrictions, which allows campfires on areas of the forest that are not currently under a closure order. Lifting Public Use Restrictions for campfires does not rescind closure orders. Forest staff are working closely with fire managers daily to re-evaluate closures and look for opportunities to reopen them as soon as safely possible for both firefighters and the public.

Anvil Fire

Size: 22,069 acres         Start Date:  August 25, 2023 Location:  8 miles east of Port Orford, OR
Containment:  40%    Total personnel: 1,098             Resources: 33 crews, 14 helicopters, 49 engines  

As a result of the firefighters hard work, containment of the Anvil Fire increased to 40%. These gains were made on the south side of the fire along Elk Creek Road as well as the northernmost portion of the fire. Additional work was completed northwest of Grassy Knob. On the east side of the fire, a masticator chipped away along Forest Road 5502. 

Today, crews will continue to work to secure contingency lines near Grassy Knob.  Progress is ongoing to increase containment along Elk River Road.  Line construction on the west side of Hells Gate is estimated to be completed in the coming week. Even though rain fell on the fire throughout the week, it was not enough to put it out the fire. Heavy vegetation and downed timber will continue to smolder. Fuels will dry throughout next week to allow fire activity to increase enough to produce visible smoke in the area. 

Evacuations:  Curry County Sheriff’s Office created evacuation zones near the Anvil Fire; Zones 1, 2, and 4 are in Level 2 “Be Set” status, Zone 3 in Level 1 “Ready” status.  All residents should remain attentive to changing conditions until the fire is fully contained and the evacuations orders can be lifted. View the interactive evacuation map at https://bit.ly/AnvilEvacs.  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:  22    Resources: 3 engines

No road work was able to be completed on Forest Road 3680 yesterday because of wet conditions. Crews are implementing the suppression repair plan on the Flat Fire. Additional crews, including excavators, will work on cleaning up the fire line and returning them to a natural state. 

Emergency Fire Area and Road Closures Still in Effect:  Closure Orders remain in place for both Anvil and Flat Fires  on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and Coos Bay District Bureau of Land Management. For current closure information and maps, please visit: https://bit.ly/RRSNFAlerts or https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/orrsf-anvil-fire.

Fire Restrictions: The Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest lifted all public Use Restrictions on Forest lands and moved to “moderate” fire danger. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level was reduced to Level 1. Public Use Restrictions on the Wild Section of the Rogue River are at Stage 1- campfires must be in a fire pan below the high-water mark. 

Weather: As much as 1’’ of rain fell on the fire yesterday, although some portions saw as little as ¼’’. Today, northerly winds will increase to 25mph along ridges. Conditions look to be drier in the coming days. 

Smoke: Smoke may be visible at times. For current smoke and air quality updates visit, https://bit.ly/SWORsmoke . Please drive slowly and with headlights on through any fire area. 

Roads: Visit www.tripcheck.com or call 511 for current road closures. Do not use forest roads for alternate routes.

Contact Fire Information: (541) 216-4579 or (541) 237-6369 

Email: 2023.anvil@firenet.gov 

Facebook: facebook.com/flatfireoregon2023 

X/Twitter: twitter.com/RRSNF 

Inciweb Anvil Fire: bit.ly/AnvilFireOR 

Inciweb Flat Fire: bit.ly/FlatFireOR