Single Publication

July 27, 2024

Northwest Team 7 is currently managing the Diamond Complex, estimated at 4,489 acres and 7% contained, and have assumed command of the Middle Fork, 641 acres and 1% contained within Crater Lake National Park. There are currently 25 fires and 570 personnel assigned to the two incidents. 

Crews are engaged in a full suppression strategy utilizing direct attack on the fires’ edge where access and firefighter safety allow and implement indirect strategies using constructed control lines or natural barriers where direct attack cannot be done safely.  Pacific Power and Light (PP&L) infrastructure within the complex continues to be a top priority for protection as crew attack fires threatening those resources. 

The Trail fire, east of Hwy 138 on the west slope of Mt. Thielsen, is 818 acres and 10% contained. Crews have added containment lines on the north and south flanks and continue to fortify those to keep the fire within the current control lines. 

The Lemolo fire, north of Lemolo Lake on Bunker Hill, is 734 acres and 0% contained. Crews will continue to secure the dozer line on the east flank and look for opportunities to implement control lines north of the fire to protect recreational values around Lemolo Lake.

The Pine Bench fire, north of Hwy 138 near Dry Creek, is 1,654 acres and 0% contained. Crew will patrol and continue to hold the 4775 road and hold and mop up any new spot fires. 

The Watson fire, north of Hwy 138 on Watson Ridge, is 190 acres and 10% contained, and the Loafer fire is at 24 acres and 0% contained. Crews have been making great progress with the limited resources available. They will continue to complete direct line around the fire to keep it within the current footprint.

There are smaller clusters of fires within the complex that consist of: Pig Iron, 27 acres and 90% contained, near Pig Iron Mountain north of Hwy 138; Brodie, 98 acres and 0% contained,  about 5 miles south of Hwy 138 and south of Devils Canyon; Trep, 109 acres and 0% contained, about 4 miles south of Hwy 138; Garwood, 5 acres and 90% contained, about 3 miles southwest of Mt. Bailey; Slide, 0.1 acres and 95% contained, northeast of Pine Bench; Potter, 578 acres and 0% contained, north of Hwy 138 about 2 miles southeast of Potter Mountain; Ooya, 158 acres and 0% contained, north of Hwy 138 about 1 mile northeast of Bird Point; Clearwater, 1 acre and 100% contained, south of Hwy 138 about 5 miles northwest of Diamond Lake; Elephant, 0.7 acres and 90% contained, 2 miles southwest of Lemolo Lake; Lost Bear, 0.1 acres and 0% contained, 2 miles south of Hwy 138; Lost, 14 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 90% contained, four miles northwest of Diamond Lake; Trap, 4 acres and 0% contained, 1 mile south of Hwy 138 near Trap Mountain; Bear Trap, 45 acres and 0% contained, 2 miles south of Hwy 138 near Bear Trap Mountain; Campwood, 8 acres and 0% contained, 2 miles south of Hwy 138; Rough, 8 acres and 0% contained, two miles south of Hwy 138;  Birds, 10 acres and 90% contained; Wood, 8 acres and 0% contains, 2 miles south of Hwy 138, and Mowich, 0.4 acre and 0% contained, 1 mile north of Hwy 138. 

The Middle Fork, fire is located in the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park. Crews will continue to work on the southern perimeter to stop progression toward the historic buildings and infrastructure in the park. They will continue to improve access and create fuel breaks along the Bert Creek Trail to the junction of the Bald Creek Trail.

Today, firefighters will continue direct suppression on accessible fires, and will develop specific suppression strategies for other less accessible fires to be carried out as resources become available.

Nationally and in the Pacific Northwest, fire activity is putting an extreme demand on firefighting resources. The highest priority remains public and firefighter safety and protecting infrastructure and homes.

Weather: Today’s forecast will be in the 74–78-degree range with drier air moving into the region. Lower humidity levels could result in increased fire activity. Cooler temperatures are expected into the weekend which should result in more favorable conditions for firefighting. 

Fire Behavior: The fire will likely remain active today and has potential for some torching and uphill runs in areas with heavier fuels and steep slopes. Widespread smoke could have a moderating effect on fire behavior slowing the rate of spread.

Smoke Outlook: Smoke will remain the area and continues to impact the region. For the most up to date information, please visit www.fire.airnow.gov 

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: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices. Fire danger is set at Very High and Public Use Restrictions are set at Level 2: https://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.