Northwest Interagency Coordination Center: July 2023

Monday, July 31, 2023

7/31/2023 Golden Fire Update

Golden Fire Daily Morning Update July 31, 2023

Golden Fire

News - 07/31/2023

Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 2 prepares to transfer command.

Bonanza, Ore.- The Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 2 is preparing a local Type 4 team to take command of the fire tomorrow. Today, fire lines continue to be secured and hoses and equipment are being removed. Fire activity remains within the current perimeter. Fire containment is now at 64%.

This will be the final morning update, and one final evening update will be provided later this evening. Beginning tomorrow, additional information can be found at the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership site at: https://www.facebook.com/SCOFMPFIREINFOWeather: Weather conditions are expected to remain calm, warm, and dry over the next few days, with temperatures reaching the mid to high 80's with light winds. There is potential for thunderstorms on Thursday.

Evacuations: Level 2 (BE READY) – all areas inside the fire perimeter.

For the most current evacuation information, call the Klamath County hotline at 541-205-9730, and sign up for Klamath County alerts at http://alerts.klamathcounty.org The American Red Cross are handing out cleaning kits to those affected by the fire. They are located at Living Springs Church, 31601 Mission Street, Bonanza, Oregon 97623.

Recovery Contact Information: Information for services and resources for those impacted by the community with unmet needs, residential cleanup guidance, disaster social services and donations are available here: https://tinyurl.com/bddatnxv

7/31/2023 Bedrock Fire Update, Map, and Smoke Outlook

7/31/2023 Flat Fire Update

July 31, 2023

Morning Update

Incident Information

Public Information: (541) 216-4579 (8am-8pm)

Media Inquiries: (541) 237-6369

Email: 2023.flat.or@firenet.gov

InciWeb: Flat Fire Inciweb Page

Flat Fire Quick Facts

Size (acres): 25,572

Containment: 14%

Start Date: July 15, 2023

Point of Origin: 2 miles SE of Agness, OR

Cause: Human Caused - under investigation

Total Personnel: 1941

Resources:

52 engines
46 crews
7 bulldozers
35 water tenders
8 masticators
12 helicopters

Flat Fire Public Information Map

Click the map to view a larger version.

Community Meeting

A community meeting will take place on Monday, July 31^st, at 6:00 p.m. at the Brookings-Harbor High School in the cafeteria. The address for the school is: 625 Pioneer Rd, Brookings, OR 97415. Flat Fire Facebook Page

Current Situation

Crews have made great progress securing the southwestern primary containment line in the last several days which is a critical element in limiting growth of the Flat Fire. Firefighters are using helicopters and Unstaffed Aerial Systems to add firing depth to this important containment feature. A burn-out operation along the dozer line heading east from Game Lake is nearing completion. Structure protection resources have been collecting data to aid firefighters in protecting structures if there is a future need. The alternate control line on Forest Service Road (FSR) 3313, 1503, and 3680 is almost done with completion planned on Tuesday. The containment line on the eastern flank using Burnt Ridge Road has been finished.

Today's Activities

Firefighters will use aerial resources to add fireline depth between the western and eastern portions of FSR 3680. The northern containment line, from Wildhorse Lookout east to FSR 3577, is being actively mopped up and patrolled. The northeastern corner of the fire, using FSR 2308 and 150, has been prepared for firing operations if the need arises due to changes in weather conditions and/or fire activity. To achieve the most effective burnout, conditions require alignment of fuels, fuel moisture, temperature, and relative humidity. There are 9 helicopters and 3 Unstaffed Aerial Systems are available to help firefighters.

With fire traffic on Bear Camp Road, all motorists on Bear Camp Road are asked to slow down, use headlights and proceed with caution.

Evacuations

Monitor the Curry and Josephine County Sheriff’s Offices for official evacuation notices.

A Level 1 “Get Ready” evacuation notice is in effect for areas on the north side of the Rogue River in Agness up to Illahe Lodge and along the Rogue River Corridor from Quosatana Creek Campground to the Agness area. This includes the areas of Spud Road, Old House Creek Road and Oak Flat.

The area immediately east of Agness remains in a level 2 and the remainder of the areas around the fire are Level 1. The Curry County Sheriff’s Office will continue to coordinate with the Fire Incident Management Team and will notify all residents affected by the fire of any reasons to change evacuation levels.

Curry County is using Everbridge to send evacuation notices. You can sign up for notifications here:

Curry County Emergency Management

Weather

The forecast calls for slightly warmer temperatures Tuesday into Wednesday. Tuesday has the potential to be the warmest day on the Flat Fire so far.

Smoke: Air Quality and Smoke Information is Available Here:

Smoke Outlook

Closures

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has issued an updated closure order for the fire area including trails, roads and a portion of the Illinois River. Oak Flat Campground, Game Lake Campground, Wild Horse Campground and Snow Camp Lookout Recreation Rentals are all closed as part of the area closure. The Chetco River Road (FR 1376) and Chetco/Pistol River Road (FR 1407) are now closed. The updated closure also allows for public access to the Big Rock swimming hole on the Illinois River. More information can be found here:

RRSNF Closures

Fire Restrictions

Abnormally dry conditions and hot temperatures are forecast to persist across Oregon and Washington with vegetation already much drier than normal. Please follow all fire restrictions, especially as we are seeing a significant increase in human-caused fire starts across the region. View current fire restrictions by clicking the button below.

Use properly functioning spark arresters and stay on designated trails and roads. Do not park, idle or drive on dry, flammable vegetation. Your vehicle could start a wildfire.

7/31/2023 Morning Brief

Sunday, July 30, 2023

7/30/2023 PNW Large Fire Map

7/30/2023 Updated Emergency Closure Information for the Flat Fire

Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

Contact: Virginia Gibbons

Phone: (541) 690-6681

Email: virginia.gibbons@usda.gov

Updated Emergency Fire Area, Road, Trail and River Closure-Flat Fire

Agness, Ore--July 29, 2023-Today, Acting Forest Supervisor Jake Winn signed an updated emergency area, road, trail and river closure order for public safety purposes during suppression of the Flat Fire. The closed areas are described within the closure order on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest web page at https://tinyurl.com/2zt7xrdb

Additional roads added to the updated closure include:

· FSR 2512-091 and FSR 1376 & associated spurs from the junction with FSR 1407

The updated closure restricts public access in order to eliminate non-fire traffic on roads being that are being utilized by the firefighting operation.

The updated closure also allows for public access to the Big Rock swimming hole on the Illinois River.

For current fire information, visit the Flat Fire Facebook page.

-end-

7/30/2023 Flat Fire Update, Map, and Smoke Outlook

7/30/2023 Bedrock Fire Update, Map, and Smoke Outlook

7/30/2023 Lightning Map

7/30/2023

Saturday, July 29, 2023

7/29/2023 Lightning Map

7/29/2023 Flat Fire Update, Map and Smoke Outlook

7/29/2023 Bedrock Fire Update, Map and Smoke Outlook

7/29/2023 Northwest Large Fire Map

7/29/2023 Newell Road Fire Update and Map

7/29/2023 Morning Brief

Friday, July 28, 2023

7/28/2023 Golden Fire Update

Containment grows to 27% as crews focus on mop up and residents begin to return to homes.

Today, firefighters will focus on expanding containment and working in unburnt areas, or “islands,” within the fire’s perimeter. Hand crews are securing those areas and cooling portions of the line that are still smoldering and burning.

Elsewhere, hand crews are using infrared sensors to find and extinguish hot spots along the fire’s outer edges. The National Weather Service has declared a Fire Weather Watch over the fire area due to low humidity and gusty winds. Officials urge residents to be mindful of their midday activities and follow fire precautions. Crews will continue to patrol the fireline regularly and remain alert and respond to any new fire activity.

Evacuation changes: The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office reduced evacuation levels for the Golden Fire to Level 2 (be ready) for all areas within the fire perimeter east of highway 140. All other evacuations were lifted. Incident officials urge residents to be cautious while driving around or within affected areas as firefighters and utility workers work in the area.

Additional updates can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/goldenfire2023/.

Weather: The fire area is currently under Red Flag and Fire Weather Watch conditions. Today’s weather will generate potential for active fire behavior. Wind and lowering relative humidity (RH) will produce critical fire weather over the fire area. High temps, low RH, and windy afternoon conditions will persist for the next several days. Winds will continue to increase in speed as over the next few days.

Evacuations: American Red Cross and Klamath County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) have established an evacuation shelter at: Bonanza School, 31601 Mission Street, Bonanza, OR 97623. For the latest evacuation information call the Klamath County hotline (541) 205-9730. To sign up for Klamath County alerts, visit https://alerts.klamathcounty.org.

Fire Terms