8/18/2015 National Creek Complex Fire Update

Crater Lake National Park has closed the north entrance road between State Highway 138 at the park’s north boundary and the Crater Lake west rim drive at north junction.  This precautionary closure facilitates fire operations and provides for the safety of firefighters and park visitors.  A segment of the Pacific Crest Trial is also closed from the park north boundary to the junction with Lightning Springs Trail.

Yesterday’s Activities:

The size of the National Fire remains unchanged as crews continued to search for and extinguish hot spots near containment lines.  Firefighters continued preparing existing Forest Service roads to be used for containment lines west of the National Fire should they be needed. Fire crews continued to reinforce and add depth to hand lines perpendicular to and south of Highway 230 creating opportunities for checking the spread of the fire. Last night firefighters were successful in completing an additional 2 miles of burnout to strengthen containment line west along Hwy 230. Along the Crater Lake North Entrance Road fallers have completed 2 miles of snagging.

The Crescent Fire increased 1092 acres yesterday. 

Today’s Activities: Fire crews continue improving the burn-out area to the south of State Highway 230 for use as a containment line and firefighters remain poised to respond to any spotting north of Highway 230. Snagging work continues today along the North Entrance Road.  The structure protection group supported by initial attack resources, has completed their work south of Diamond Lake and is checking and maintaining the systems they’ve installed. Work to improve forest road 3703 as a contingency line continues.

 Weather: An incoming weather system beginning today has the potential for large fire growth. Warmer and drier temperatures are expected to be in the mid 80’s with the relative humidity near 15 - 16% this afternoon and westerly winds. The incoming weather over the fire will bring erratic shifting winds and create very active fire behavior.  If the smoke layer rises and with better air ventilation, an increase in fire behavior will occur. The potential for spotting is up to 1/3 mile in the lodge pole pine areas.

 Closures & Evacuations: Crater Lake National Park has closed the north park entrance and a larger section of the Pacific Crest Trail, north of the lake.  The remainder of the park is open.  Area closure orders have been issued for the Rogue River-Siskiyou and Umpqua National Forests near Diamond Lake.  There are trail closures in the National Park and on the Rogue River-Siskiyou and Umpqua National Forest. Maps and descriptions of the trail and area closures are online athttp://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4463/.

State Highway 230 is closed (ODOT Tripcheck). Diamond Lake Area is under a Stage 1 Evacuation Notice; the “ready” stage in “ready, set, go”.

The fire progression map (with yesterday's perimeter) and a map showing the heat signatures detected during last night's infrared flight are attached.