Single Publication

Size: 34,242 acres

Start Date:  July 15, 2023

Point of origin: 2 miles southeast of Agness, OR

Containment: 58%

Total personnel: 443 

Resources: 10 crews l 4 helicopters l 16 engines l 3 bulldozers l 17 water tenders l 4 masticators 

Highlights: Hot, dry conditions contributed to low rates of fire spread in interior islands of unburned fuels. A small number of torching trees were observed but did not threaten fire lines. Depending on wind direction, smoke may have some limited impact on firefighting efforts and local communities. All firefighting resources remain engaged, patrolling containment lines, and monitoring isolated heat sources on the edge and in the interior. Attention to wind/slope alignment in drainages and ridge-top winds from the NW that could accelerate fire spread is a primary focus. Crews are patrolling and mopping up containment line. Firefighting resources are actively improving all contingency lines at the southern end of the fire with various heavy equipment including engines, dozers, masticators and logging rigs. Several crews have been sent to the Six Rivers National Forest to assist with the Smith River Complex at the Oregon/California border.  

Today’s Activities:  The objectives for the Flat Fire remain the same with full suppression being the desired end state.  Firefighters continue working towards full containment of the fire.   Visual assessments of the fire perimeter with ground and/or aviation resources continue.  Work is progressing in the interior primarily with helicopters and some engine work depending on access and hazard conditions. Contingency line in the south is complete and line improvement continues.  Air resources continue to monitor the fire and remain available to support initial attack efforts and other fires if required. 

Weather:  Temperatures are warmer and drier than average today. A cooling trend and higher relative humidity is expected to arrive Friday and again slow active fire behavior. The cooling trend will continue into the next week. These conditions should help firefighting efforts. There is a 20% probability of isolated showers or thunderstorms.
Smoke:  Smoke may be visible from the surrounding areas. The Smoke Outlook is available at: Current Smoke Outlooks (wildlandfiresmoke.net) 

Closures:  U.S. Highway 199 has been closed north of Gasquet due to fires on the Six River National Forest, please use U.S. Route 101 to SR 42s for all travel to and from the Rogue Valley. Forest Service and BLM roads should not be used as alternate routes due to emerging fire activity. The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest (RRSNF) has issued a closure order for the fire area including trails, roads, and a portion of the Illinois River. Visit https://bit.ly/RRSNFAlerts  for more information.

Evacuations:  Level 1 “Get Ready” evacuation status in place for areas in the vicinity of the Flat Fire. Link to more information:  https://tinyurl.com/currycountyem 

Restrictions: Fire danger is currently extreme; the RRSNF is implementing Level 3 Public Use Restrictions. Level 3 PURs on the Wild Section of the Rogue River have been implemented by the RRSF, Medford BLM and ODF.  More information: https://tinyurl.com/ueuznr6e\