Single Publication

Effective immediately, a forest closure has gone into effect today on portions of the Umpqua National Forest in response to fire activity in the area, and to protect public and wildland firefighter safety. This closure encompasses all of the Cottage Grove Ranger District, as well as portions of the North Umpqua and Diamond Lake Ranger Districts. A detailed closure map can be found at the bottom of this email. A number of recreation sites are included in this closure, but much of the forest remains open to the public. The following areas, while adjacent to the closure, remain open:

• North Umpqua Trail between FSR 34 and Masters Bridge on Highway 138
• Canton Creek Campground
• Steamboat Ballfield
• Gravel Bin Boat Ramp
• Island Campground
• Apple Creek Campground
• Horseshoe Bend Campground
• Eagle Rock Campground
• Boulder Flat Campground and Boat Ramp
• Toketee Lake Campground
• Forest Service Trail #1495, Toketee Falls trail and trailhead

This closure order can be found on our website and is in response to impacts from wildfires in the northern portion of the forest. There are currently twelve lightning-caused fires that firefighters have been working to extinguish or hold. Two fires are controlled, four are contained, and six are active. Here are the latest updates:

California Interagency Incident Management Team 12 (CAIIMT12) assumed command of the Chilcoot and the Ridge Fires as of 6:00 am, Monday, August 28, 2023. CAIIMT12. CA IMT12 is working unified command with Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA), and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and are also coordinating closely with Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and local landowners to manage these fires.

• Chilcoot Fire – This fire is estimated at 921 acres. Firefighters have been constructing handline and using existing roads to build containment lines where possible. Crews are using portions of the 3806 Road to act as a barrier on the eastern perimeter of the fire. Yesterday dozer crews were able to work with Douglas Forest Protective Agency to build strong containment lines on the northwest corner of the fire. A Facebook page has been set-up for the most up-to-date information on the Chilcoot Fire.
• Ridge Fire – The fire is holding at approximately 250 acres and has shown minimal growth since its start. There was a small breach of the fire line into the Boulder Creek Wilderness, however crews are succeeding in using natural barriers as containment lines around it. The fire is holding at the 3810 Road on the south. Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) are being utilized in wilderness areas. The higher elevation of the Ridge Fire has created greater visibility above the smoke layer and crews expect to be able to use aviation resources to the full extent possible. A Facebook page has been set-up for the most up-to-date information on the Ridge Fire.
• Dinner Fire – This fire is estimated around 200 acres and is located near Forest Service Road 17 to and Forest Service Road 1746, also known as Holland Meadows Road, A Type 2 Incident Management Team (PNW IMT12) has been ordered.
• Grizzly Fire – The fire estimated at 200 acres and is located near Grizzly Creek. Currently ODF resources are working this fire.
• Brice Creek Fire – Estimated at 169 acres this fire is near Brice Creek. Four engines and a hand crew are on scene.
• Wyatt Fire – Previously Brice Fire, is estimated at 30 acres and is located near Noonday Ridge.
• Timbered Knoll Fire – This fire is located west of Forest Service Road 5050, is less than an acre and is contained.
• Prather Fire – This 10-acre fire east of Prather Creek is contained.
• Snowpark Fire – This fire is less than one acre south of Cinnamon Butte and is controlled.
• Bohemia Fire – A lightning-caused start on private land that is less than one acre and controlled.  
• Hill Fire – This fire is currently contained and under one acre.
• Watson Creek Fire – A less than one acre fire that is contained.

More information can be found at: https://www.wildwebe.net/?dc_name=ORRICC. Smoke has been present in Roseburg and surrounding communities in the area, air resource advisors work with communities to forecast smoke and notify the public through sites like AirNow.gov and https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook.