Single Publication

Highlight: There will be a public meeting for the Anvil and Flat fires on Tuesday, October 3 at 7:00 PM at the Sixes Grange. The meeting will also be streamed live at facebook.com/flatfireoregon2023   

Anvil Fire

Size: 22,173 acres         Start Date:  August 25, 2023 Location:  8 miles east of Port Orford, OR
Containment:  43%    Total personnel: 1,207             Resources: 32 crews, 7 helicopters, 36 engines

Crews made significant progress yesterday constructing containment lines on the north and west side of the fire. Suppression repair work began along the Sixes River Road and a structure group has been cleaning up around residences along the Elk River. On the southeast perimeter of the fire, firefighters continue work to establish contingency lines south towards Milbury Mountain.  

Today, crews will work on completing containment lines on the west side of the fire. Work is ongoing to identify and begin construction of secondary and contingency lines for uncontained areas of the fire that are burning in inaccessible  and problematic terrain.   Large timber and heavier fuels still have below average moisture levels and will continue to hold heat. Burning will become more active as temperatures rise and humidities drop. Additional smoke will be visible as warmer temperatures and strong ridge-top winds contribute to an increase in fire behavior over the next few days. 

Evacuations:  Curry County Sheriff’s Office has identified evacuation zones near the Anvil Fire: Zones 1, 2, and 4 are in Level 2 “Set” status. Zone 3 is in Level 1 “Ready” status.  Conditions may change quickly. Monitor for updates in evacuation levels. 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:  88%       Total personnel:  48    Resources: 3 engines

Containment has been increased to 88% as crews secure line along the east side of the Flat Fire. Excavators have arrived to assist with the repair of suppression lines on the northern perimeter of the fire. Crews are working to mitigate hazard trees and repair roads. Helicopter operations will begin to drop straw bales within the Flat Fire for erosion control. 

Emergency Fire Area and Road Closures Still in Effect: 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. 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 Service 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: There is a slight chance for a trace of rain this afternoon as a front passes to the north. Temperatures will warm through the rest of the week. 

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