Single Publication

July 31, 2024

**Diamond Complex and Middle Fork fire Q & A session at Diamond Lake Resort, 12:00 pm, Wednesday July 31, 2024. Fire staff on hand to answer community questions. **

The Diamond Complex on the Umpqua National Forest is estimated at 5,486 acres and 11% contained and Middle Fork within Crater Lake National Park s 728 acres and 1% contained. The park remains open. There are fire personnel in the area, so visitors should use caution when traveling within the park. 

The Umpqua National Forest increased Public Use Restrictions to Level 3 across all ranger districts of the forest in response to the drying conditions and increased fire activity. More information can be found at bit.ly/3xIZZdK. Broken Arrow, Diamond Lake, and Thielsen View Campgrounds are open and taking reservations through www.recreation.gov 

The Trail fire, east of Hwy 138 on the west slope of Mt. Thielsen, is 839 acres and 40% contained. Yesterday, firefighters strengthened fire lines and patrolled the fire. Firefighting resources from this fire are being reassigned to other critical missions in the Complex.

The Lemolo fire, north of Lemolo Lake on Bunker Hill, is 873 acres and 0% contained. Firefighters conducted strategic burning operations to strengthen containment on the north edge and worked to tie the containment line on the western flank to the Lemolo Lake Road. 

The Pine Bench fire, north of Hwy 138 near Dry Creek, is 2,117 acres and 10% contained. Crews continue to hold and mop up along the FS 4775 Road and patrol the 900 Road and Hwy 138. Work is underway to build indirect contingency fire line to the east and north of the fire, to be used if the fire were to move out of the Boulder Creek Wilderness.

The Rough fire, two miles south of Hwy 138, is 11 acres and 10% contained. Firefighters continue direct attack on this fire.

Crews on both the Watson fire, 236 acres and 50% contained, and Loafer fire, 37 acres and 50% contained, will continue to mop up these fires.

Bear Trap, 64 acres and 50% contained, 2 miles south of Hwy 138 near Bear Trap Mountain now has a control line around the entire fire so crews will begin mop up and patrol.

The Pig Iron fire, near Pig Iron Mountain north of Hwy 138, is 27 acres and 95% contained. 

Ooya, 190 acres and 10% contained, north of Hwy 138 about 1 mile northeast of Bird Point. Work is underway to establish safe access to begin active work on the fire. There is significant power infrastructure to the south of this fire, making it a high priority as firefighters are reassigned from other fires. 

Brodie, 121 acres and 0% contained, about 5 miles south of Hwy 138 and south of Devils Canyon. Teams of fallers and a roadside chipping operation are underway to establish safe and effective access for firefighters.

Other fires within the complex consist of:  Trep, 133 acres and 0% contained, about 4 miles south of Hwy 138; Garwood, 5 acres and 95% contained, about 3 miles southwest of Mt. Bailey; Slide, 0.1 acres and 95% contained, northeast of Pine Bench; Potter, 747 acres and 0% contained, north of Hwy 138 about 2 miles southeast of Potter Mountain; ; Clearwater, 0.7 acre and 100% contained, south of Hwy 138 about 5 miles northwest of Diamond Lake; Elephant, 0.7 acres and 95% contained, 2 miles southwest of Lemolo Lake;  Lost, 25 acres and 0% contained, 4 miles south of Hwy 138;  Sheep, 0.3 acres and 95% contained, 3 miles north of Diamond Lake; Thin, 0.6  acre and 95% contained, four miles northwest of Diamond Lake; Trap, 15 acres and 0% contained, 1 mile south of Hwy 138 near Trap Mountain; Campwood, 20 acres and 10% contained, 2 miles south of Hwy 138;  Birds, 0.1 acres and 100% contained; Wood, 23 acres and 10% contained, 2 miles south of Hwy 138, Mowich, 0.4 acre and 95% contained, 1 mile north of Hwy 138,  Toolbox, 0.1 acres and 95% contained, and Canal, 1 acre and 50% contained.

The Middle Fork fire is located in the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park. Firefighters completed line along the western flank and across the southern end of the fire to check potential fire spread. The Pacific Crest Trail from the Dutton Ridge Intersection to Hwy 138, Lightning Springs, Bald Crater Loop, Bert Creek and Boundary Springs Trails (within the park) are closed until further notice due to potentially hazardous conditions.   

Weather: High pressure begins to move over Oregon, bringing a ten degree increase in temperature and lower humidity. Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-80s and humidity will be in the 30-35% range. Winds will be from the northwest at 5-8 mph.

Fire Behavior: Fire behavior has been largely limited to surface fire with slow spread. Today will begin a trend toward more active fire behavior with isolated and group torching in response to changing weather.

Smoke Outlook: Smoke production will increase with increased fire behavior. Smoke will remain in the area and may reduce visibility and hinder air operations.  For the most up to date information, please visit fire.airnow.gov/ 

Fire prevention: As the weather warms and dries, the potential for rapid fire growth will increase in this area for the foreseeable future. Please be very careful with any potential ignition sources. Don’t park in dry grass, and make sure tow chains do not drag.

Closures and Evacuations: Umpqua National Forest has issued two closures across the forest in response to fire activity to protect public and wildland firefighter safety. Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-24-03 and Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-02-24-01 impact all of the Cottage Grove Ranger District, most of the Diamond Lake Ranger District, and parts of the Tiller and North Umpqua Ranger Districts. The closure orders can be found here: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices. Fire danger is set at Very High and Public Use Restrictions are set at Level 3: bit.ly/3xIZZdK.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has downgraded the evacuation order for the Trail fire from a Level 2: BE SET to a Level 1: Get Ready, but the Level 3: GO NOW remains in effect for the Trail fire east of Hwy 138. The Level 2: BE SET and Level 3: GO NOW evacuations for the Lemolo fire remain in place. There is still a Level 2: BE SET for the Pine Bench Fire. For more information visit the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office website: www.dcso.com/evacuations