Single Publication

Red Fire

August 7, 2024

Daily Fire Update

Online: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ordef-red-fire

Facebook: 2024 Red Fire Information https://www.facebook.com/2024RedFireOR/ 

YouTube Channel: EA CIMT

Fire Information Line: 541-208-1766, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Email: 2024.red@firenet.gov

Red Fire Quick Facts

• Size: 508 acres
• Start Date: July 17, 2024
• Origin: 5 miles west of Crescent Lake Junction, OR
• County: Klamath
• Cause: Lightning
• Total Staff: 283
• Containment: 0%
• Completed Fuel Break: 10.4 miles (includes 3.0 miles of Shaded Fuel Break)

Operations: Yesterday, a helicopter was used to drop water on the south side of the fire, which helped cool and slow down the fire’s activity. The shaded fuel break work between Crescent Lake and Odell Lake extended north from Crescent Lake Resort past Crescent Lake State Airport, with hand crews completing limbing and brushing. Crews resumed structure protection assessments around the Odell Lake Resort, Diamond Peak community, Willamette Ski Resort, and surrounding homes, preparing structure protection gear that can be deployed if needed. They also reduced ladder fuels between Forest Service Road 60 and the residential service road by removing grass, brush, small trees, and low-level limbs that can convey fire into tree canopies and have completed about 90 out of 100 acres. Road crews continued working on improving Forest Service Road 6010 to Summit Lake with a dozer, making it safer and more accessible for heavy equipment.

Helicopter operations will continue today along the south side of the fire. Firefighters will resume their efforts to protect homes, infrastructure, and natural resources; they will focus on structure assessments and protection planning. Hand crews and heavy equipment are working to expand the shaded fuel break west from Crescent Lake Resort along Forest Service Road 60. Crews will soon finish extending the northern section of the shaded fuel break between Crescent Lake and Odell Lake. The work on ladder fuel removal between Forest Service Road 60 and the service road is nearly complete, which will create defensible space for residences in the area. Resource advisors from the Deschutes National Forest continue working closely with firefighters to protect sensitive areas. The Eastern Area Team is preparing to transition the management of the Red Fire to the Southern Area Gray Team. The Gray Team will assume command at 6:00 AM tomorrow morning, August 8.  

Round Mountain & Wickiup Fires: Please be aware fire operations will continue around these fires. The Eastern Area Team will transition the management of both fires back to the Deschutes National Forest at 6:00 AM tomorrow morning, August 8. The Round Mountain Fire is 108 acres and 85% contained. Firefighters continue to patrol, mop-up, and complete repair work. The Wickiup Fire is 168 acres and 90% contained. Firefighters continue to patrol and mop-up.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office lifted the evacuation order around the Wickiup Fire. Temporary emergency closures remain in effect for areas around the Wickiup Fire and Round Mountain Fire.

Closures: The Deschutes National Forest has implemented an emergency closure around Crescent Lake and in the Diamond Peak Wilderness. The public should note that Forest Service Road 60 is closed, and road guards have been posted for public safety. More closure information is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices/?aid=89091 

Evacuation Notices: The WILDFIRE! Level 1 – BE READY to Evacuate notice issued by Klamath County Emergency Management for the Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, and Crescent Junction areas remains in effect (INCENDIO FORESTAL! Nivel 1 - ESTÉ PREPARADO para evacuar de las siguientes zonas: Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, Crescent Junction). For information, or to sign up for alerts, visit: www.klamathcounty.org/300/emergency-management 

Fire Restrictions: Stage 2 Public Use Fire Restrictions which prohibit open fires, including in developed campgrounds, are in effect for the Deschutes National Forest.  Visit the Deschutes National Forest’s website fs.usda.gov/detail/deschutes/home/?cid=stelprdb5297376 for more information. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level is currently Level IV “General Shutdown”.

Weather: Sunny with a high of 83°, relative humidity 14%, and northwest winds gusting to 14 mph.

Smoke: Smoke may be more visible today as the Red Fire encounters heavier fuels. Air quality information can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.