Flat Fire Expands Past 20,000 Acres as National Team Takes Charge

In a significant development in the ongoing firefighting efforts, Pacific Northwest Team 3, a national type one team, has taken charge of the wildfire at 6:00 a.m. today after shadowing Northwest Team 6. This transition brings in valuable additional resources for suppression and strategic planning.

As the structure protection groups wrap up their work in Oak Flat and Agness, they will remain stationed there to safeguard the communities while redirecting any surplus resources to aid suppression efforts elsewhere around the fire.

To prevent further fire spread, resources are being shifted from the north and southwest to establish control lines in the northeast and southeast regions while maintaining full suppression operations.

Today’s agenda involves Pacific Northwest Team 3 continuing the momentum set by Northwest Team 6. Firefighters are focusing on extinguishing hot spots in the north where burnout operations have been completed. Burnout operations will persist in the northeast and southwest to reduce vegetation. Additionally, in the south, firefighters are assessing the 1174 trail and road system to establish additional control lines, impeding the fire’s southern progression.

The fire’s current size stands at 20,232, and a total of 1,241 personnel are actively involved in combating the blaze. The resources allocated include 33 engines, 40 crews, 8 bulldozers, 15 water tenders, 8 masticators, and 10 helicopters.

Today’s forecast brings some relief as cooler temperatures and higher humidity are expected to aid firefighting efforts.

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