Single Publication

Daily Update for Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024

Firefighters continue to discover new fires resulting from a lightning storm July 16. In the past 24 hours another 11 fires totaling an estimated 55 acres have been identified and added to the Diamond Complex, on the Diamond Lake Ranger District of the Umpqual National Forest.

Currently there are 23 fires totaling an estimated 3,318 acres in the Diamond Complex, with 243 personnel assigned. The Complex is considered to be 3% contained. Firefighters are directly attacking the fires’ edge where access and firefighter safety allow, and implementing indirect strategies using constructed control lines, and utilizing natural barriers where access issues and safety concerns prevent direct attack.

The fires comprising the Diamond Complex are Pine Bench, 1,320 acres, and 0% contained, north of Hwy 138 near Dry Creek; Trail, 821 acres and 5% contained, east of Hwy 138 on the west slope of Mt. Thielsen; Lemolo, 404 acres and 0% contained, north of Lemolo Lake on Bunker Hill; Pig Iron, 27 acres and 25% contained, about two miles southeast of Pig Iron Mountain, north of Hwy 138; Watson, 115 acres and 0% contained, north of Hwy 138 on Watson Ridge, Brodie, 81 acres and 0% contained, about 5 miles south of Hwy 138 and south of Devils Canyon; Trep, 91 acres and 0% contained, about 4 miles south of Hwy 138; Garwood, 5 acres and 65% contained, about 3 miles southwest of Mt. Bailey; Slide, 0.1 acres and 90% contained, northeast of Pine Bench; Potter, 288 acres, north of Hwy 138 about 2 miles southeast of Potter Mt.; Ooya, 106 acres and 0% contained, north of Hwy 138 about 1 mile northeast of Bird Point; and Clearwater, 3 acres and 90% contained, south of Hwy 138 about 5 miles northwest of Diamond Lake. The 11 new fires totaling 55 acres are widely scattered and have not been named.

Yesterday, Northwest Team 7 continued active suppression on the Trail Fire. Dozer lines were reinforced with water delivery hose lines from Hwy 138 toward the Mt. Thielsen Wilderness boundary. There is still some fire line construction work ahead to securely tie into the wilderness boundary. On the Lemolo fire, fire line is established on the east and northeast of the 700 road. Firefighters continued active suppression on the Pig Iron fire and are mopping up to secure the perimeter to protect critical infrastructure. Firefighters worked to keep the Pine Bench fire west of Forest Road 4775, and successfully suppressed a spot fire east of Medicine Creek as the fire moves toward the Boulder Creek Wilderness. Several of the newly identified fires were successfully attacked and contained.

Nationally and in the Pacific Northwest, fire activity is putting an extreme demand on firefighting resources. This means that firefighters must carefully prioritize and efficiently utilize available resources to protect values at risk. The highest priority will remain public and firefighter safety and protecting infrastructure and homes. Today, active suppression continues with the Lemolo, Trail, Pig Iron and Pine Bench fires as priorities.

Weather: Today will have significantly lower relative humidity and a slightly higher air temperature. These conditions support increased fire spread and spotting potential. Extremely dry fuels and rugged, steep terrain add to challenging fire behavior.

Closures and Evacuations: The USFS and the Douglas County Sheriff have implemented public safety measures in response to these fires. Umpqua National Forest has issued a closure order that impacts all the Cottage Grove Ranger District, most of the Diamond Lake District, and parts of the North Umpqua, and Tiller Ranger Districts. The closure order can be found here: https://bit.ly/3SeYvih. This closure does include Boulder Flat Campground and Boat Launch. Canton Creek Road is just the boundary of the closure and is open.

Closures and Evacuations: The USFS and the Douglas County Sheriff have implemented public safety measures in response to these fires. Umpqua National Forest has issued a closure order that impacts all the Cottage Grove Ranger District, most of the Diamond Lake District, and parts of the North Umpqua, and Tiller Ranger Districts. The closure order can be found here: https://bit.ly/3SeYvih

This closure does include Boulder Flat Campground and Boat Launch. Canton Creek Road is just the boundary of the closure and is open. Additionally, Diamond Lake, Thielsen View, and Broken Arrow Campgrounds are closed through July 28, 2024, and will be reevaluated closer to that date. Fire danger is set at High and Public Use Restrictions are set at Level 2: https://bit.ly/3xIZZdK. The Douglas County Sheriff has issued a Level 3: GO NOW and Level 2: BE SET for the Trail Fire and Lemolo Fire. There is a Level 2: BE SET for the Pine Bench Fire. Please see detailed information here: www.dcso.com/EVACUATIONS and www.fs.usda.gov/umpqua.