Single Publication

July 26, 2024

**Diamond Complex Q & A session at Diamond Lake Resort, 10:30 am, Saturday July 27, 2024. Fire staff on hand to answer community questions.**

A large-scale lightning event on July 16 started several fires on the Diamond Lake Ranger District of the Umpqua National Forest. The fires are being managed as the Diamond Complex. It consists of 24 fires and an estimated 4,166 acres with 3% containment and 395 personnel assigned. 

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.

The fires are being managed under a full suppression strategy. This means that crews engage in direct attack on the fires’ edge where access and firefighter safety allow. They are implementing indirect strategies using constructed control lines and utilizing 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 830 acres and  5% contained. Crews continue to keep the fire within the current control lines and minimize impacts to the recreational values around Diamond Lake. 

The Lemolo fire, north of Lemolo Lake on Bunker Hill, is 627 acres and 0% contained. Crews will continue to complete 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 1,546 acres and 0% contained. Crew will patrol and continue to hold the 4775 road and hold and mop up any new spot fires. 

Watson fire, north of Hwy 138 on Watson Ridge fire is 166 acres and 0% contained and the Loafer fire at 24 acres and 0% contained. Crews have been making great progress with the limited resources available. They will begin direct line construction and hose lay today and continue to fortify lines. 

There are smaller clusters of fires within the complex that consist of: Pig Iron, 27 acres and 25% 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 65% contained, about 3 miles southwest of Mt. Bailey; Slide, 0.1 acres and 90% contained, northeast of Pine Bench;  Potter, 504 acres and 0% contained,  north of Hwy 138 about 2 miles southeast of Potter Mt.;  Ooya, 136 acres and 0% contained, north of Hwy 138 about 1 mile northeast of Bird Point; Clearwater, 1 acre and 90% contained, south of Hwy 138 about 5 miles northwest of Diamond Lake;  Elephant, 0.7 acres and 0% contained, 2 miles southwest of Lemolo Lake; Lost Bear, 5 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 0% contained, 3 miles north of Diamond Lake;  Thin, 1 acre and 0% 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 0% contained, Wood, 2 acres and 0% contains, 2 miles south of Hwy 138; and  Mowich, 1 acre and 0% contained, 1 mile north of Hwy 138. 

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.

Weather: Today will be slightly cooler with higher humidity and lighter winds. While these conditions favor firefighting, very dry forest fuels and steep terrain will still allow persistent fire spread.

Fire Behavior: Fire will likely remain active especially as temperatures increase into the afternoon hours. Short uphill runs are through surface fuels and some torching potential remains in areas with heavier fuel loads. 

Smoke Outlook: Smoke 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 which 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. Additionally, Diamond Lake, Thielsen View, and Broken Arrow Campgrounds are closed through July 28, 2024, and will be reevaluated closer to that date. Fire danger is set at High and Public Use Restrictions are set at Level 2: https://bit.ly/3xIZZdK. 

Douglas County Sheriff has issued a Level 3: GO NOW and Level 2: BE SET for the Trail Fire and Lemolo Fire. There is a Level 2: BE SET for the Pine Bench Fire. Please see detailed information here: www.dcso.com/evacuations.