Size: 762 acres Location: 5 miles west of Crescent Lake Junction, OR County: Klamath
Start Date: July 17, 2024 Cause: Lightning Containment: 0% Total Personnel: 144
Activities – The section of shaded fuel break between Crescent Lake and Summit Lake is
progressing well and is anticipated to be complete by September 7th. The bulk of the work remaining
along the final portion of shaded fuel break is slash removal being accomplished by local contractors
with equipment. Structure protection equipment remains in place along Crescent Lake. A 1.5-mile
hose lay remains in place along the Whitefish Creek Trail on the southern edge of the fire to check
fire spread along the trail.
Incident Strategy – A full suppression strategy is being implemented utilizing indirect tactics,
shaded fuel breaks, structure protection equipment, trail and hose lay. Firefighter and public safety
remain the incident management team’s highest priority in managing this fire. Expect to see
increased fire activity due to the warmer and dryer conditions.
Closures – To provide for the safety of firefighters, equipment operators, and the public the
Deschutes National Forest emergency closure around Crescent Lake and in the Diamond Peak
Wilderness is still in effect, including these areas: Forest Service Road 60 is closed, and road guards
have been posted for public safety. More closure information is available at:
https://www.fsa.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices/?aid=89091
Weather, Fire Behavior and Smoke – Warmer and drier conditions persist across the fire area
Friday under mostly clear skies. Continued warming and drying is expected though Sunday followed
by a slight cool down until Wednesday September 4th before another warming and drying trend sets
in late next week. Isolated thunderstorms may impact the fire area Sunday into Monday. Fire behavior
has increased due to warmer temperatures and low relative humidity. Smoke production has
increased daily and is expected to increase today through the weekend. Fire season can last through
September into early October.
Evacuations – The WILDFIRE! Level 1 – BE READY to Evacuate notice issued by Klamath County
Emergency Management for 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). Visit www.klamathcounty.org/300/emergencymanagement for more information or to sign up for alerts.
Fire Restrictions – Stage 2 Public Use Fire Restrictions – which prohibit open fires, including in
developed campgrounds – remain in effect for the Deschutes National Forest. The Industrial Fire
Precaution Level is currently Level III “Partial Shutdown.” Visit
fs.usda.gov/detail/deschutes/home/?cid=stelprdb5297376 for more information.
Drone Restrictions – Aerial firefighting is suspended when unauthorized drones (UAS) are in the
area. Unauthorized drone use over a fire area poses serious risks to fire personnel and the
effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. If you fly, we can’t.
