08/19/2023 Flat Fire Update

Update - August 19, 2023

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): 33,895 Containment: 58% Start Date: July 15, 2023 Point of Origin: 2 miles SE of Agness, OR Cause: Human Caused - under investigation

Total Personnel: 479 Resources: 17 engines 13 crews 3 bulldozers 19 water tenders 4 masticators 5 helicopters

Flat Fire Public Information Map Click the map to view a larger version.

Highlights

Weather conditions are warmer and drier than average for August. They continuing to cause lower rates of spread in the remaining fuels within the fire perimeter. There is anticipated isolated single tree torching that has not threatened containment lines. Intermittent (wind dependent) smoke is having less impact on local communities. Firefighters are paying particular attention to the fire lines and isolated heat sources. The primary focus is on our ability to identify wind and slope alignment conditions in drainages and ridge-top winds out of the NW that can result in rapid fire spread. Crews have finished improving containment lines along the roads between Agness and Indigo Creek. Multiple crews are supporting the Six Rivers National Forest south of the Oregon/California border.

Today's Activities The team is concentrating the work of ground and/or aviation resources on visual assessments of the fire activity within the perimeter. Crews have finished constructing handlines line in the Pistol River drainage down to the 364 road. Improvements to the south tier containment line system are ongoing. Heavy fuels (logs) are being decked and removed. Firefighters will start on proposed handline to tie the 364 improvements to the existing line to complete the contingency project. Air resources remain available to support initial attack efforts as required. The stated objective for the Flat Fire is full suppression and firefighters are diligently working to achieve that target.

Evacuations

Level 1 “Get Ready” evacuation status in place for areas in the vicinity of the Flat Fire. Link to more information:

Curry County Emergency Management

Weather

Active fire behavior has slowed in response to the cooling trend and higher relative humidity. The trend will continue Saturday and into the next week. Humidity will increase in tandem with the cooler temperatures and should aid firefighting efforts. There is a 5-10% probability of isolated showers or thunderstorms.   Smoke: Air Quality and Smoke Information is Available Here:

Smoke Outlook

Closures

U.S. Highway 199 has been closed north of Gasquet due to fires on the Six River National Forest, please use U.S. Route 101 to SR 42s for all travel to and from the Rogue Valley. Forest Service and BLM roads should not be used as alternate routes due to emerging fire activity. The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest (RRSNF) has issued a closure order for the fire area including trails, roads, and a portion of the Illinois River. Visit https://bit.ly/RRSNFAlerts for more information. RRSNF Closures

Fire Restrictions Please follow all fire restrictions to prevent wildfires. Know before you go. Check on whether there are any campfire restrictions at your recreation destination. Fire danger is currently extreme; the RRSNF is implementing Level 3 Public Use Restrictions. Level 3 PURs on the Wild Section of the Rogue River have been implemented by the RRSF, Medford BLM and ODF.

Current Fire Restrictions

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