Flat Fire Erupts to 8200+ Acres as Area Closures Are Issued

Total Personnel: 378

Resources Deployed: 16 Engines, 13 Crews, 2 Bulldozers, 2 Water Tenders, 7 Helicopters

The Flat Fire, which started on July 15, 2023, is currently burning in the historical burn scars left behind by the Biscuit and Klondike fires. Firefighters are facing challenges as they combat the flames amidst standing dead trees (snags) and dense vegetation within these burn scars. The rugged terrain and limited access points further complicate firefighting efforts. Fire managers are carefully strategizing their tactics to ensure firefighter safety while protecting nearby communities and critical infrastructure. Overnight, night crews capitalized on more favorable conditions, aiding containment efforts. However, smoke continues to blanket the surrounding communities.

Additional resources have been dispatched and are expected to arrive in the coming days, bolstering firefighting efforts. The primary focus remains on strengthening existing firelines and establishing new ones. Firefighters are actively scouting for opportunities to utilize natural barriers such as roads and bodies of water to engage the fire safely. As weather conditions and visibility permit, aviation resources will be utilized to support firefighting operations.

The weather forecast for today indicates sunny, warm, and dry conditions with northeast winds prevailing in the area. These weather conditions pose additional challenges for firefighters battling the Flat Fire.

Here is the latest closures from authorities:

PROHIBITIONS:

Being upon a closed road.
Going into or being upon a closed area.
Being on a trail.
Area Closure boundary is described as: Starting near Agness: From the Jct of FSR 33 and FSR 2308 in section 7; Boundary follows FSR 2308 east to Gold Beach/Wild Rivers Ranger District boundary in section 31, Follow district boundary south the convergence of North and South Fork Silver Creek in section 9, Follow South Fork Silver Creek to the intersection with the Kalmiopsis Wilderness in section 21, Follow the Kalmiopsis Wilderness boundary east and south to Gold Basin Butte (also intersection of Josephine and Curry County boundary) in section 35, Follow the Josephine/Curry County boundary west to the intersection of Collier Creek in section 6, Follow Collier Creek southwest toward Collier Butte to intersect with FSR 3680 in section 17, Follow FSR 3680 west to the junction of FSR 1503 in section 2, Follow FSR 1503 west to the junction of FSR 3680 in section 8, Follow FSR 3680 north to junction of FSR 3313 in section 4, Follow FSR 3313 north to junction with FSR 33 in section 3, Follow FSR 33 north west to the junction of FSR 2308 in section 7.
Road Closure is described as:
FSR 2308 (Burnt Ridge Road) and associated road spurs from FSR 23 (Bear Camp Road) to
FSR 33 (Agness Road), 20.1 miles;
FSR 2512-091 (Bald Mtn Road) from the Jct with FSR 2512 to road termini, 6.1 miles;
FSR 3313 (Quosatana Road) and associated spurs from FSR 33 (Agness Road) to FSR 3680
(Hunter Creek Road), 8.3 miles;
FSR 3318 (Wildhorse Road) and associated spurs from FSR 33 (Agness Road) to FSR 3680
(Hunter Creek Road), 16.4 miles;
FSR 3680 (Hunter Creek Road) and associated spurs from MP 9.6 (junction with FSR 1503)
to end of road near Game Lake, 18.1 miles
Trail Closure is described as: Forest Trails #1117 (Tin Cup Trail), #1140 (York Butte Trail), #1144 (Mud Springs), #1161 (Illinois River Trail), #1174 (Pupps Camp Way Trail), #1219 (Pine Flat Trail).
River Closure is described as: Illinois River from Miami Bar Boat Ramp to the river mouth with the Rogue River.

EXEMPTIONS:
The following persons are exempt from this Order:

Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.
Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
This prohibition is in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.
Violations of this prohibition is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both.

You can track this fire through our 2023 Wildfire Season partner’s Wildfire Aware app.