Single Publication

August 13, 2023

Flat Fire Morning Update

Size: 33,861  acres                                          

Start Date:  July 15, 2023

Point of origin: 2 miles southeast of Agness, OR

Containment: 56%

Total personnel: 539

Resources: 16 engines l 7 crews l 3 bulldozers l 24 water tenders l 8 masticators l 5 helicopters

Highlights:  

Extreme fire weather conditions will persist into early this week. The predicted hot, dry, and breezy weather will create drier fuel conditions, causing increased fire behavior within the fire perimeter. Yesterday, there was observable smoke drifting over the north end of the fire originating from the Bedrock Fire in the Willamette Valley, traveling southwest. Smoke from this and other fires will continue to impact most of southwest Oregon as fire behavior escalates. Initial attack resources from the Flat Fire, including engines, crews, and aerial resources, assisted with the O’Brien Creek Fire yesterday, located 15 miles north of Gold Beach. Firefighting resources continue to patrol along the fire perimeter and are ready to take action if needed. Crews work on improving existing contingency lines and look for opportunities to construct additional alternate fuel breaks.

Today’s Activities:

Fire behavior has the potential to increase, especially on ridge tops within the fire perimeter. Lower fuel moisture will increase the chance of ignition as pockets of unburned fuels are consumed within the interior of the fire. Smoldering, creeping surface fire, and occasional flare-ups are expected. Isolated torching may occur; however, the chance of crown fire is minimal. On the southwest end of the fire’s perimeter, heavy equipment operators continue creating a defensible fuel break along roads 360 to 365. Hand crews progress handline in the the Pistol River and Meadows Creek drainages. Heavy equipment continues to improve fire lines, chipping, and brushing on roads 76 and 150. Air resources support local initial attack and scout for heat within the perimeter. Fire resources continue to support suppression efforts on the O’Brien Creek Fire.

Weather:

Weather conditions over the fire area are tending hotter and drier. Lower relative humidities and higher temperatures will result in a Red Flag Warning issued for Sunday and Monday afternoons and evenings. An Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect Sunday through Thursday for portions of the fire area. Similar conditions are forecasted for Sunday and Monday, but with an unstable atmospheric state.

Smoke: 

Smoke is expected to increase as fire behavior becomes more active and may be visible from the surrounding areas. The Smoke Outlook is available at:  Current Smoke Outlook for SW Oregon (airfire.org)

Closures: 

Closure orders for the fire area can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices

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 2 Public Use Restrictions. More information here: https://tinyurl.com/ueuznr6e Please follow all fire restrictions to prevent wildfires. Know before you go. Check on whether there are any campfire restrictions at your recreation destination.

Fire Information:(541)216-4579      

Media inquiries: (541)237-6369     

Email: 2023.flat.or@firenet.gov

Facebook: facebook.com/flatfireoregon2023    

Twitter: twitter.com/FlatFireOR2023         

Inciweb: bit.ly/FlatFireOR