Chiloquin, Ore. – Crews were able to make significant progress on the fire last night, aided by lower temperatures and higher relative humidity. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Team 3 and Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Red Team are working in unified command to contain the fire, protect homes as well as critical infrastructure. Additionally, representatives of the Klamath Tribe are working with fire officials to ensure protection to cultural sites and assess if any sites were impacted during the first night of firefighting. Unfortunately, it was discovered that seven primary residences may have been impacted on the first day of the fire along with several outbuildings but are pending assessments of damage by Klamath County Emergency Management and assisted by OSFM.

Today temperatures will begin to warm up, but the high winds firefighters contended with yesterday will significantly calm down. This will allow fire crews to strengthen lines around the fire to try and hold within the present footprint. Structural task forces from Lane, Deschutes, Polk/Marion, Linn, Clatsop, and Washington Counties will be focused on protecting homes near the fire, mopping up around structures, and fortifying critical infrastructure protection measures.  Multiple air resources will continue working the fire today, including helicopters and other fixed wing aircraft. As a reminder, drones interfere with aircraft on the fire line, please do not fly drones in the fire area – “If you fly, we can’t”.

Community members and visitors in the area are advised to stay safe and stay informed. Visit https://www.klamathcounty.org/300/Emergency-Management for up-to-date information on evacuations and evacuee resources. A road closure remains in effect on the Sprague River Highway between mile markers 5 and 15. Visit www.tripcheck.com to get the latest on road closure changes. More information will continue to be posted and shared to the fire information Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/CopperfieldFire2024.

Evacuation shelters have been set up at the Chiloquin Community Center at 140 S 1st Ave. in Chiloquin, as well as the Klamath Falls Fairgrounds at 3531 S 6th St. in Klamath Falls.  Large animals can also be accommodated at the Fairgrounds.

Diamond Complex

• Size: 11,141 acres
• Containment: 78%
• Personnel: 1,143
• Location: 18 miles SW of Chemult, OR
• Start Date: July 19, 2024
• Cause: Undetermined

Middle Fork Fire

• Size: 5,286 acres
• Containment: 52% 
• Personnel: 38
• Location: Crater Lake National Park
• Start Date: July 17, 2024
• Cause: Undetermined

Change to Update Schedule  

After today, updates will be distributed every other day. The next update will be Thursday, September 5, 2024. InciWeb and Facebook will be updated daily with operational videos, quick facts and any other available information. 

Visitor and Firefighter Safety, Fire Restrictions and Closures 

The North Entrance to Crater Lake National Park is closed to all traffic to allow Middle Fork Fire-related hazard reduction work to resume. The park remains open and can be accessed through the South Entrance. 

Drivers on Hwy. 230 on the park’s northwest side should be especially cautious. Firefighters are using heavy equipment to remove downed and dead wood in this area. Slow down when approaching firefighter activity. 

Monday’s minor car accident near where firefighters were working serves as a reminder for everyone to drive carefully. Please be patient, minimize distractions and stay focused. Enjoy the beautiful outdoors after reaching your destination.  

For your safety and ours, do not enter closed areas. Barriers may not block entire roadways to allow for firefighter traffic. However, do not drive around barriers. Areas are closed because of fire activity, falling trees, heavy equipment and road grading. Entering closed areas endangers drivers and firefighters and disrupts important fire-related work.   

The Umpqua and Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests and Crater Lake National Park have different fire restrictions in place. Crater Lake National Park has a fire ban whereas the national forests have Level 2 fire restrictions. Know where you are and follow information posted on their websites. 

• Crater Lake National Park: https://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm 
• Umpqua National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/umpqua 
• Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou  

Current Fire Situation 

Monday’s storms did not bring much rain. However, they did produce some lightning on the northern area of the Diamond Complex. Initial attack resources will look for any new fires in the area. Weather trends hotter and drier for the next several days which could bring increased fire activity. So, crews continue to secure containment lines and safely mop up interior pockets of heat before the weather changes.  

Middle Fork Fire 

On Tuesday, containment on the Middle Fork Fire increased to 52%. Firefighters continue to patrol the fire’s north and east sides where heat is scattered in the interior. Crews will continue suppression repair on trails and along Hwy. 230 where they are hauling timber cut during suppression operations.  

Diamond Complex 

• Pine Bench Fire (north of Hwy. 138 near Dry Creek, 3,976 acres, 65% contained): Fire activity remains low. Firefighters continue to patrol around Camel Hump after successfully eliminating heat there on Monday. They are also monitoring and securing edges on the fire’s south side.  
• Potter Fire (north of Hwy. 138, 2 miles southeast of Potter Mountain, 3,428 acres, 38% contained): On Monday, firefighters monitored the fire’s west side but did not find much heat. Crews continued repairing areas disturbed by suppression activities. On the north side, where heat has been a concern, fire activity was low. Firefighters continue to monitor this area to ensure the fire stays well within its current footprint. On the fire’s southeast side, crews did not find any heat and started suppression repair work including road grading. On the southwest side, due to concerns about the possibility of fire moving into dead timber within an old fire scar, firefighters are working on a fuel break plan. Crews completed suppression repair on the south end of the fire.  
• Lemolo Fire (north of Lemolo Lake, 1,246 acres, 100% contained): Firefighters continue to patrol and monitor.  
• Ooya Fire (east of Bug Lake, 373 acres, 100% contained): Firefighters found some heat in the interior that does not pose a threat to containment. Crews will patrol and monitor. 
• Multiple fires within the complex: Heat remains in the interior of several of the smaller fires including the Lost and Trep Fires. Containment lines are holding, and firefighters continue patrolling and mopping up hotspots. They also are doing suppression repair including chipping and road work. 

Weather and Fire Behavior  

Tuesday will be cool and dry with temperatures in the 70s and winds out of the northwest. A warming, drying trend begins on Wednesday. These conditions could increase fire activity and potential, and new starts from Monday’s storms could reveal themselves as temperatures increase and relative humidity drops.  

Smoke Outlook 

Smoke from neighboring incidents may be visible, but smoke from the Diamond Complex and Middle Fork Fires has been minimal. For more information, visit outlooks.airfire.org/outlook and fire.airnow.gov. 

Forest Closure and Fire Restrictions 

Umpqua National Forest has decreased Public Use Restrictions to Level 2. The forest remains in High Fire Danger and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels are at Level 2. For more information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices/?aid=88996.  

Umpqua National Forest’s current closure order allows access to specific roads, trails and campgrounds, which are listed as exemptions in Forest Order 06-15-24-07. For more information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umpqua/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1202210. 

A closure is in place on Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest for the area north and west of Crater Lake National Park along Hwy. 230 south to the intersection with Hwy. 62. The closure order and a map are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices. 

Park Closure and Fire Restrictions 

Crater Lake National Park remains open. However, several closures are in effect. For details, visit  https://www.nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit/conditions.htm. 

The North Entrance to Crater Lake National Park is closed to all traffic to allow hazard reduction work related to the Middle Fork Fire to resume. The park remains open and can be accessed through the South Entrance.  

Know before you go. Check the latest conditions and road status before you arrive at your destination to ensure a smooth, enjoyable visit. Updates are available on the park website at https://www.nps.gov/crla and on Oregon Tripcheck at https://www.tripcheck.com. 

REMINDER: The Pacific Crest Trail between the Lightning Springs and Rim Trail Intersections, Bald Crater Loop, Bert Creek and Boundary Springs Trails are closed until further notice due to potentially hazardous conditions created by the Middle Fork Fire. Hikers and bikers may not use the North Entrance Road to enter or leave Crater Lake National Park. 

Temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) 

TFRs are in place over the Middle Fork Fire https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_8387.html (6 a.m. to 9 a.m. local time to accommodate uncrewed aircraft systems work) and https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_7055.html (9 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time). TFRs are also in place over the Potter and Pine Bench Fires https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_7055.html (9 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time). 

SUPPRESSION OBJECTIVES: The Ore Fire and the Pyramid Fire remain under a full suppression strategy to protect values at risk, including the Middle Santiam Wilderness, HJ Andrews Experimental Forest, and private timberlands. Firefighters are building direct fire line where possible, and strategic indirect contingency line as needed. 

CURRENT SITUATION: Today a new Incident Management Team, California Team 13, assumed command of the Willamette Complex North fires and will maintain the existing strategy and tactics utilized by Northwest Team 7. Team 13 had previously served as the incident command team on this fire and is familiar with the terrain and challenges of fighting these fires. Hotter and drier weather will move into the area over the next few days. This change in weather will both lead to an increase in fire behavior and make dry fine fuels receptive, providing an opportunity to perform strategic firing operations to enhance containment lines.   

Ore Fire: 7 miles Northeast of Blue River, 3,296 acres, 42% contained, 647 total personnel, human caused. Containment of the fire increased by 2% yesterday and fuels reduction work continued at a brisk tempo. Firefighters finished burning operations in the previously unburned Waterfall Creek drainage, which will help reduce the threat of fire spread beyond current containment lines. Night crews will continue to patrol and look for opportunities to take direct action, secure, and mop up as conditions allow. Chipping and processing of fuels progresses throughout the contingency lines.  

Pyramid Fire: East of Middle Santiam Wilderness, 1,312 Acres, 98% contained, 239 total personnel, lightning caused. Fuels reduction work will continue as firefighters remove fuels from the fire line and construct contingency lines that will prevent the possible spread as temperatures increase and fire behavior increases later in the week.

Safety: Please drive carefully and at a reasonable speed. Heavy equipment and large trucks will be moving down local roads and highways as part of our fuel reduction work and firefighters will be driving to the fire line for our operations.

CLOSURES & FIRE RESTRICTIONS UPDATE:  Willamette National Forest closures for all fires can be found here: Willamette National Forest - Alerts & Closures (usda.gov)  Specific closure maps for the Pyramid Fire can be found here. Specific closure maps for the Ore Fire can be found here.

Everyone is reminded to stay out of all fire closures for firefighter and general safety. Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of up to $5,000. All campfires, charcoal fires, pellet fires, or any other open fires are prohibited, including in developed campgrounds and wilderness areas. Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns, and heaters that can be switched on and off are allowed. Please see Forest Order 06-18-00-24-27 for additional information.

Forest Service BAER and California WERT Specialists Assess Soil Burn Severity in Park Burn Area

On Sunday August 25, 2024, the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team and the California Watershed Emergency Response Team (WERT) came together for a collaborative field trip. The primary focus of their burn area visit within the Park Fire was to share expertise and enhance and understanding between both teams on key issues like land movement and soil burn severity.

This collaborative approach is essential in better predicting and mitigating the impacts of post-fire events in areas affected by the recent Park wildfire.

The first portion of the field trip was spent discussing and observing previous debris flows and land movement in areas with similar geologic features and burn patterns to the Park Fire. The teams reviewed past events to understand what occurred on the ground after these events and how such shared knowledge can guide federal and state land management decisions in the aftermath of the current Park Fire. 

These discussions are crucial for preparing both teams to anticipate and respond to potential hazards effectively.

The day then shifted to examining soil burn severity and soil loss resulting from fire impacts. Classifying soil burn severity consistently between both teams is critical to managing burned landscapes and watersheds post-fire. Additionally, assessing soil loss and its causes as a unified team adds immense value to both agency efforts predicting soil productivity, soil loss, and how to manage the land into the future.

The exchange of information and shared insights during this field trip strengthens the overall response and ensures better protection of our natural resources, and critical values for both teams moving forward when assessing future California wildfires.

NOTE: See related photos to this article under the “Photos” Tab on this Park Post-Fire BAER InciWeb page: Calnf Park Postfire Baer Incident Photographs | InciWeb (wildfire.gov).

BAER SAFETY MESSAGE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains and increased water runoff. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events--be prepared to act. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/sto/.

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Click the link to view the video showing fire suppression repair work. 

Homestead Complex Fire Update for Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Start Date: July 19, 2024 | Location: 15 miles Northeast of Glide | Total Number of Fires: 7 | Total Personnel: 538 | Total Fire Acreage: 5,918 | Cause: Lightning | Overall Complex Containment: 60%

Fire Operations Summary:

Three of the seven fires on the complex have now reached 100% containment, the Salmon 33 Fire (275 ac.) on August 24, 2024, the Reynolds Butte Fire (334 ac.) on August 22, 2024, and the Lost Bucket Fire (34 ac.) on July 29, 2024. Firefighters are working to complete and secure all remaining primary and secondary (contingency) control lines. This work includes using crews and heavy equipment to chip and haul away forest fuels near control lines (creating a stronger fuel break). Fire managers are tracking weather forecasts that may produce favorable conditions for planned tactical burnout operations on the Horse Heaven and No Man fires.  Patrol and mop-up operations continue, and suppression repair groups are working to minimize the fire impacts to resources, lands, and facilities resulting from firefighting operations. Firefighters are prepared to do initial attack on any new fire starts within the delegated fire operations area and to support local fire resources.

The No Man Fire (2,072 ac., containment: 28%), continues to hold within control lines. Mop-up operations on the south corner of the fire are nearing completion. On the north flank of the fire, crews are patrolling, mopping-up and installing erosion control waterbars to prevent soil loss on steep slopes. Chipping operations will continue to strengthen primary and secondary (contingency) containment lines. On the Horse Heaven Creek Fire (2,304 ac., containment: 64%), crews will continue improving control lines doing chipping along roads northeast of the fire and setting the stage for possible burnout operations. A hotshot crew will be keeping the fire checked-up along handline in the northwest corner down in the Horse Heaven Creek area. On the Bullpup (473 ac., containment: 17%) and Fuller Lake fires (426 ac., containment: 5%) work to reinforce primary and secondary lines on the 300 and 200 roads, located just west of these fires, is nearing completion. Crews have completed installation of a hoselay on the 200 Road. A hotshot crew has completed construction of direct handline on the southeast corner of Fuller Lake Fire and will be reconning the western corner to construct additional direct line.  Suppression repair work will continue on the Reynolds Butte and Lost Bucket fires.

Weather: Today will be slightly warmer and drier and will become hotter and drier as the week progresses. Light terrain winds in the morning will turn north to northwesterly in the afternoon and become light easterly winds overnight. Highs today will be in the upper 70s to low 80s.

Closures and Fire Restrictions:

There is one large closure impacting the Cottage Grove, North Umpqua, and Diamond Lake districts. Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-24-07: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices/?aid=88996. On August 30, 2024, the Umpqua National Forest decreased Public Use Restrictions (PURs) to Level 2, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umpqua/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1202470. For more information on PURs, IFPLs, or other fire management information, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/umpqua/fire

The closure order issued by Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Roseburg District, for portions of BLM land which border the Umpqua National Forest Emergency Fire Closure north of Steamboat remains in effect: https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2024-07/orwa-fpo-rbg-072624.pdf 

There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the Homestead Complex Fire. Please remember, if you fly we can’t! If a drone or other aircraft enters the air space, all firefighting aviation equipment will be grounded.

Fire Information Line: 541-208-7100 (Staffed 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

Email: 2024.homesteadcomplex@firenet.gov 

Smoke Outlook: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/d393fd74

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HomesteadComplexFireInfo/

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orupf-homestead-complex

Tamaño de Whisky Creek: 2,092 acres | Fecha de inicio: 20 de julio   |Causa: De orígen humano   |Contención 25%Tamaño de Sandstone: 702 acres | Fecha de inicio: 5 de agosto  |   Causa: Rayo   |  Contención 75%

Total de recursos: 437 | Equipos de obreros: 6 | Camiones de bomberos: 4 | Topadoras: 2 | Maquinarias pesadas: 8 | Helicópteros: 4

Los incendios Whisky Creek, Sandstone y Blister Creek arden en un terreno escarpado y accidentado en el Bosque Nacional Mt. Hood, donde los escombros rodantes y los árboles debilitados por el fuego dificultan el trabajo de extinción.

Whisky Creek:

A pesar del clima fresco y mojado de ayer, el fuego continuó ardiendo entre los combustibles superficiales y el sotobosque en la bifurcación este de Herman Creek. No se pudieran realizar vuelos de reconocimiento y misiones de carga externa para regresar equipos debido a las ráfagas de viento y la neblina. Tanques de agua, una cuadrilla y un grupo de aserradores aseguraron con éxito el incendio Knebal que estaba cerca y regresaron al incendio Whisky Creek.

La reparación ligera por la extinción continuará donde sea posible mientras que la solidez de los cortafuegos se mantiene. Los asesores de recursos evaluarán el trabajo de extinción que queda para minimizar los impactos en los recursos naturales. Los equipos de bomberos están removiendo las bermas para cubrir el suelo mineral expuesto en las líneas manuales interiores, limpiando las alcantarillas y reviviendo el carácter silvestre donde se llevaron a cabo las actividades de extinción. Se está empezando el retiro de mangueras, bombas y equipos adicionales en transporte terrestre y por helicóptero. Están llegando recursos frescos, incluyendo tanques de agua, las niveladoras, excavadoras y un equipo de mano, para llevar a cabo el trabajo de reparación especializado y reemplazar los recursos importantes para los cuales llega el final de su asignación de 14 días. Los recursos de ambos incendios, incluidos varios camiones de bomberos, bomberos, una topadora y los encargados de los incendios, permanecerán disponibles para atacar inmediatamente cualquier inicio de fuego.

Sandstone and Blister Creek:

Un sistema de aeronaves no tripuladas (UAS, por sus siglas en inglés) detectó calor en los incendios Sandstone y Blister Creek. Las cuadrillas hicieron caminata a ciertas áreas para controlar un foco de calor cerca del borde del incendio Sandstone. Ya se completó la trituración a lo largo de la carretera del servicio forestal (FSR) 7010, pero continuará el trabajo de nivelación y astillado a lo largo de las carreteras forestales 7010 y 6320 al este del ramal 114. También llegó una excavadora para ayudar en los trabajos de reparación en el extremo noreste del incendio.

Clima: Las condiciones de clima serán más frescas con una mayor humedad hasta que una tendencia al calentamiento se desplace al área el miércoles.

Cierres: Información de cierre de el Bosque Nacional Mt. Hood, el Área Escénica Nacional del Columbia River Gorge y el condado de Hood River se puede encontrar en https://linktr.ee/whisky_creek.2024. Por favor, respete las órdenes de cierre del área por su seguridad, así como por la seguridad de nuestros bomberos.

Seguridad: El público juega un papel importante en la prevención del próximo incendio forestal. Tenga cuidado con cualquier fuente de ignición. Para obtener consejos de prevención, visite, https://keeporegongreen.org. Hay restricciones contra incendios dentro del Bosque Nacional Mt. Hood. Se puede ver más información en https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/mthood/fire. 

Chalk, Coffeepot, McKinley, Moss Mountain, Tire Mountain, 208, and 217 Fires 

Online: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-willamette-complex-fires-south  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillametteComplexFires/  

Email: 2024.willamettecomplex@firenet.gov  

Fire Information Line: 541-208-1742 

Tuesday, September 3, 2024 

Total Willamette Complex South Personnel: 669 

Total Willamette Complex South Acres: 13,580 

Resources (Includes Pyramid Fire Resources): 2 Type 1 Hotshot crew, 8 Type 2 crews, 3 Type 2 initial attack crews, 3 helicopters, 20 engines, 6 dozers, 155 heavy equipment (masticators, skid steers, feller bunchers, etc.)  

Fire Cause: Lightning   

Summary  

Yesterday brought lower temperatures and higher humidity in the morning hours. Heavy fuels remain hot and may ignite fuels nearby as drying increases.  Moderate fire behavior is likely under current conditions, including flare-ups and isolated torching. The primary fire behavior characteristics within the four fires is creeping and smoldering. Fire activity is limited to large woody fuel.  Warm, dry weather may produce surface fire on interior portions of the fire. Infrared night flights showed widely scattered heat well into the interior of the fire.    

Chalk Fire (5,788 acres, 66% containment)  

Firefighters continue to patrol the north, east, and south sides. Significant progress towards containment has been made on the north and west edges as firefighters continue to improve and deepen control lines. Helicopters are being utilized for reconnaissance and bucket drops on the fire if needed. 

Moss Mountain Fire (923 acres, 0% containment)  

Work will continue on the indirect lines to the north and contingency lines to the south. Due to increased fire behavior, there was growth in the NE perimeter (24 acres). Hotshot crews and Type 1 helicopters are invaluable due to steep terrain, heavy timber and significant rollout. Crews and heavy equipment continue to work along the Forest Service Road 2120 in order to limit growth on the fire.  

208 Fire (602 acres, 0% containment)  

The 208 Fire experienced an increase in size due to lower fuel moisture, aspect and slope alignment.  The fire spread was mostly in the Diamond Peaks Wilderness, but the southwest side of the boundary grew by 300 acres yesterday. The most intense heat was in the south and southwest Fire size grew by 300 acres yesterday, with the most intense heat showing in the south and southwest portions of the fire. Crews will work to keep fire to the east of the 2160 road. 

217 Fire (38 acres, 100% contained), Tire Mountain Fire (23 acres, 100% contained), McKinley Creek Fire (24 acres, 100% contained), Coffeepot Fire (6,182 acres, 100% contained) 

These fires remain in monitor/patrol status. Mop-up continues on the Coffeepot Fire, as scattered hot spots remain. Helicopters may drop water on hot spots as necessary to keep these fires in check.  

Weather and Fire Behavior  

Slightly warmer and drier conditions are expected Tuesday as Monday’s storm system lifts to the east of the fires. By midweek hot conditions may return with lower relative humidity values, affecting fuel moistures. 

Closures and Fire Restrictions  

• For specific closure information, visit tinyurl.com/WillFireClosures2024   
• For current fire restrictions, visit tinyurl.com/WillFireRestrictions2024   
• Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): tfr.faa.gov  for up-to-date areas. Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. For more information, visit knowbeforeyoufly.org. 

Unified Command: CAIIMT15 & CAL FIRE

Fire Size: 11,953

Percent Contained: 17%

Primary Strategic Control Line: 92%

Personnel: 1,472

Cause: Lightning

Start Date: Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 10:05 a.m.

Location: Southeast of Three Rivers, CA

COFFEE POT FIRE PUBLIC MEETING: CAIIMT15 will host a public meeting today, September 3, at 6 p.m. at the Three Rivers Memorial Building: 43490 Sierra Drive, Three Rivers. Those unable to attend can watch the meeting live on the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Facebook page @SequoiaKingsNPS or YouTube channel @sequoiaandkingscanyonnps5018. 

CURRENT SITUATION: Yesterday, firefighters prioritized efforts on the northern flank of the fire. Crews worked to hold fire along the direct control line near the East Fork Kaweah River. Firefighters also used strategic firing operations, direct control lines, water-drops, and retardant, working to contain fire that reached beyond the primary line near Case Mountain Road. On the eastern flank, firefighters used retardant to bolster the control line toward Horse Creek and Mineral King Road. On the southern perimeter, crews began mop-up operations where fire had reached just beyond Scratch Creek, and continued mop-ups along the South Fork Kaweah containment lines. On the western flank of the fire, crews patrolled direct control lines to ensure containment. 

As expected, the fire on the northern flank will continue backing to reach the East Fork Kaweah River today, and firefighters will focus on holding fire at the river’s direct control line. Using low-intensity burning operations, aerial water-drops, and fire retardant, crews will work to slow the rate of fire spread as it moves into the river drainage. Firefighters are also prioritizing operations around fire that reached beyond the control line near Case Mountain Road. Crews will continue to brush and chip along the Mineral King Road indirect contingency line. On the eastern flank, firefighters will strengthen and extend the indirect control lines toward Horse Creek and Mineral King Road. To the south, crews are monitoring for any residual heat near Scratch Creek, and mop-up and repair activities are progressing along the South Fork Kaweah River containment line. Crews on the western flank will continue to patrol for any spot fires and hold the containment line being established there. 

WEATHER: Warm and dry weather continues with partly cloudy skies, haze, and smoke. Low pressure will move through the north of the area and exit to the east. Little change is weather is expected. General winds in the early morning will be light out of the northeast, shifting out of the southwest by mid-morning. Sheltered areas will see upslope winds predominate, with westerly gusts through canyons. An inversion is expected to develop tonight, concentrating haze and smoke into lower elevations, especially on the west side of the fire, with higher elevations mainly above the smoke inversion by late evening, and breaking in the early afternoon. Hotter temperatures are expected through the end of the week.

SMOKE IMPACTS: Smoke conditions will be similar to yesterday. Hammond and Mineral King will see levels rising to UNHEALTHY at times, averaging UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS over the day. Levels in Three Rivers and Springville will average MODERATE. The Giant Forest area will see concentrations reach UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS during the day, averaging moderate overall. Communities in the Owens Valley will see levels reach MODERATE for most of the day with some periods of GOOD in the afternoon. Mammoth and Oakhurst will average GOOD for the day. For more information on current wildfire smoke impacts in your community, please visit AirNow.gov or fire.airnow.gov.

EVACUATION NOTICES: The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office has issued Evacuation ORDERS due to current fire conditions for Genasys zones TLC-E094-C, TLC-E094-E, TLC-E094-D, and TLC-E094-B. An evacuation ORDER, also known as a mandatory evacuation, means that all residents and visitors should leave now before the fire reaches the community. If you are unable to evacuate and require assistance, please call 9-1-1. In case of sheltering needs or questions regarding sheltering, please contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. 

The Tulare County Fire Department has also issued Evacuation WARNINGS for zones TLC-E128-B, TLC-E093-A, TLC-E093-B, TLC-E095, TLC-E127-B, and TLC-E128-A. To find your zone, please refer to: protect.genasys.com.

FIRE INFORMATION: A Public Information Officer will be at the Three Rivers Village Market daily from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide fire information and answer questions. 

BLM AND PARK CLOSURES: The portion of South Fork Drive within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and trails accessed from the road, including the Ladybug and Garfield Grove Trails, are closed. Recreational access to the Mineral King area of Sequoia National Park is closed to the public. This applies to Mineral King campgrounds, trailheads, and area trails. All other areas of the parks are open but are likely to be impacted by varying levels of smoke and poor air quality. Park closure information is available online at nps.gov/seki. The Bureau of Land Management has also issued a closure of the Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area at blm.gov/press-release.

PUBLIC NOTICE: Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t. For more information, visit knowbeforeyoufly.org.
 

Lane 1 Fire

Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024

Fire Information: (541) 649-2399 voice/text

Email: 2024.Lane1@firenet.gov

Suppression repair work is underway on the Lane 1 Fire. Hand lines, dozer lines and other control lines are being restored by covering them with vegetation for erosion control. Water bars are being constructed on slopes to prevent erosion. Fire weakened; hazard trees are being removed for the protection of firefighters working in the area. These large woody fuels are being removed for future fire prevention and for public safety once closed areas are reopened.

Trees being removed during this work are being hauled to landings, some of which are off Brice Creek Road. The Umpqua National Forest has closed a portion of Brice Creek Road between Champion Creek Road (2473 NFSR) and Grass Creek Road (2213 NFSR) for the safety of firefighters and the public as log hauling trucks enter the roadway.

Timber hauling operations are being conducted day and night. Residents of Disston, Ore. will notice an increase of traffic as trucks from east and west move to landings off Brice Creek Road; one located at Blodgett Creek, on 2232 NFSR and another on Layng Creek Road at the Layng Creek Work Center. Drivers need to expect logging trucks on Brice Creek Road. Salvageable timber from BLM lands will be hauled to a landing on Sharps Creek Road.

Road maintenance operations will take place during nighttime hours on roads impacted by the Lane 1 Fire to not interfere with daytime suppression repair work.

Sharps Creek Road remains closed at Row River but access to the transfer site is allowed during its hours of operation. Please use caution and watch for trucks entering the road. Roads south of Brice Creek Road leading into the fire area are closed.

Hunting season has opened in Oregon. Hunters need to be aware of closed areas before they take to the field. For an interactive map on Oregon Wildfire Response & Recovery go to: https://wildfire.oregon.gov/

Many of the roads, trails and general forest areas within the Umpqua National Forest are closed to provide for public and firefighter safety. For more information and a map of the closed areas go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices

Portions of the Bureau of Land Management, Northwest Oregon District, managed public lands, roads, sites, and trails are closed to all forms of public access. For more information and a map showing the closure go to: https://www.blm.gov/.../docs/2024-07/orwa-fpo-nwo-072024.pdf