Single Publication

Anvil Fire 

Size: 21,842 acres Start Date:  August 25, 2023 Location:  8 miles east of Port Orford, OR 
Containment:  27% Total personnel: 1,144 Resources: 32 crews, 10 helicopters, 46 engines 

At 7:00 a.m. today, Great Basin Team 4 transferred command of the Anvil and Flat Fires to Southwest Team 1. Yesterday, fire crews focused on gaining access to the fires. On the Anvil Fire, firefighters assessed impacts from the rain and continued to make progress bolstering containment and alternate lines. Containment increased to 27% as crews made additional progress on the north end of the fire.  

Today, crews will continue cleaning up landslides and downed trees that are impacting roads to reestablish access to the fire area. Constructing primary fire containment lines is the first priority, with an emphasis on the northeast corner of the fire, where the fire has crossed the South Fork Sixes River.  The rain, although widespread, is not enough to fully contain the Anvil Fire.  Expect to see continued fire activity over the coming weeks, until ongoing, consistent rain or snow covers the fire area.  It will continue to smolder in heavy vegetation and downed timber until humidity drops and temperatures warm enough to allow flames to burn more actively again.  

Evacuations:  Curry County Sheriff’s Office has identified four evacuation zones around the Anvil Fire.  On Monday afternoon, the Sheriff was able to reduce the evacuation levels.  Zones 1, 2, and 4 are now in Level 2 “Be Set” status.  Residents may return home but should be prepared to evacuate should fire activity increase again.  Zone 3 is now in Level 1 “Ready” status.  All residents should remain attentive to changing conditions until the fire is more fully contained and the evacuations can be lifted completely.  View the interactive evacuation map at https://bit.ly/AnvilEvacs.  Sign up for Curry Co. emergency alerts at https://bit.ly/CurryCoEM. 

Area and Road Closures:  For the safety of firefighters and the public, the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest (RRSNF) and Coos Bay District Bureau of Land Management have issued closure orders for the Anvil Fire area.  Find maps and closure information at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/orrsf-anvil-fire. 

Fire Restrictions: On Sept. 27 at 12:01 am, The Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest has moved to “moderate” fire danger and Industrial Fire Precaution Level was reduced to Level 1. All Public Use Restrictions on the Wild Section of the Rogue River have been lifted.   

Flat Fire 

Size:  34,242 acres   Start Date:  July 15, 2023     Location:  2 miles southeast of Agness, OR    Containment:  75%  Total personnel:  11    Resources: 3 engines 

The RRSNF closure on the Flat Fire remains in effect: https://bit.ly/RRSNFAlerts 

General Information  

Weather:  Heavy rain fell over both fires in the past 36 hours.  Some areas recorded more than 5” so far.  Isolated showers will continue today with up to another ¼ - 1” forecast.  Winds will shift to westerly breezes. By the weekend, the trend will dry out and temperatures may begin to climb slightly. 

Smoke:  Smoke may being to increase in the coming days as fuels dry out and fire activity increases. Visit https://bit.ly/SWORsmoke for current smoke and air quality updates. Please drive slowly and with headlights on through any fire area. Caltrans issued a schedule of road closures and lane restrictions on US-199 northeast from Crescent City. Local law enforcement cautions against any non-essential traffic along this route. For specific information on road access, please see the Caltrans QuickMap site, https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ and Oregon Department of Transportation site, https://www.tripcheck.com/.  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