Size: 877 acres Location: 5 miles west of Crescent Lake Junction, OR County: Klamath
Start Date: July 17, 2024 Cause: Lightning Containment: 0% Total Personnel: 100
Activities – An overnight infrared flight mapped the fire at 877 acres, an increase of 26 acres. Thermal imagery shows that most of the acres burned were within the existing footprint of the fire with some new fire growth downslope from the southern edge of the fire. A 1.5-mile hose lay remains in place along the Whitefish Creek Trail to check fire spread as it approaches the trail. Work along the shaded fuel break today will continue with chip, slash, and log removal being accomplished by local contractors with equipment and log trucks. Structure protection equipment remains in place along Crescent Lake and is being tested periodically.
Fire managers have started rehabilitation planning to repair suppression activities after fire suppression efforts conclude. Suppression repair work is beginning where it doesn’t interfere with firefighting operations along the 60 and 6010 roads up to Summit Lake. Firefighters predict that the Red Fire will persist until the fire area experiences significant rain or snow this fall.
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. Forest Service Road 60 is closed, and road guards have been posted for public safety. The emergency closure is being reevaluated daily as conditions continue to change. More closure information is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices/?aid=89091.
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is closed from north of the Windigo Pass (mile 1883.5) to Highway 58 (mile 1909.5) due to the Red Fire and Willamette Complex South in the Diamond Peak Wilderness. A map displaying the PCT closure and reroute can be viewed on the Pacific Crest Trail Association’s (PCTA) website at: https://closures.pcta.org/closure/Mr02blDvEwX1SJ9h1H49. A Pacific Crest Trail Closures app is also available and allows users to stay informed about trail closures and trip-altering updates whether they’re online or offline. The mobile app can be found on the Apple Store and Google Play by searching for Pacific Crest Trail Closures.
The 2024 season for commercially harvesting Matsutake mushrooms opened for the Deschutes National Forest this week and will close on November 4, 2024. A commercial permit must be purchased for the picking of any Matsutake mushrooms in National Forests that are harvested for resale. The emergency fire closure will impact certain harvesting locations.
Incident Weather, Fire Behavior, and Smoke – Warmer and drier weather has increased fire activity and smoke production. Temperatures will continue to be warm at 80-85 degrees with relative humidity predicted to be lower and could reach 20%-25% during the day. A light east wind will reduce overnight humidity recovery contributing to drier conditions. These conditions will persist throughout the week.
Strategy – A full suppression strategy is being implemented utilizing indirect tactics, shaded fuel breaks, structure protection equipment, trail, and hose lay. Fire managers are continually reevaluating the safest, most effective suppression strategy based on changing weather, fuel conditions, and fire behavior. 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 drier conditions.
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/emergency–management 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.
