Lightning-sparked Red Fire in Diamond Peak Wilderness grows to nearly 140 acres

CRESCENT, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The lightning-sparked Red Fire west of Crescent Lake in the Diamond Peak Wilderness has burned nearly 140 acres since it broke out on Wednesday and has 90 firefighters working to contain it.

RED FIRE UPDATE
July 20, 2024
Fire Information Line - 541-316-7711

centraloregonfire.org    x.com/CentralORFire

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-news/ordef-red-fire

Size: 138 acres | Location: 5 miles west of Crescent Lake Junction, Oregon   
County: Klamath | Start Date: July 17, 2024 | Containment: 0% | Cause: Lightning   
Total Personnel: 90

Crescent, Oregon — The Red Fire is located within the Diamond Peak Wilderness on the Deschutes National Forest, on the southwest slope of Redtop Mountain. The fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy.  The Southern Area Gray Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Fulton Jeansonne, assumed command of the fire on Friday, July 19, at 6:00 a.m. local time. Public and firefighter safety is the highest priority in managing this fire.

The Diamond Peak Wilderness encompasses 52,500 rugged acres straddling the crest of the Cascade Mountains. It was designated in 1964 by the Wilderness Act, to be stewarded in its natural, undeveloped condition. Motorized equipment, motor vehicles, and aircraft are prohibited in Wilderness by federal law, with narrow criteria for exceptions. The USDA Forest Service has authorized the use of chain saws, portable pumps, fire retardant, and aircraft landings by firefighters on the Red Fire since initial attack.

Yesterday’s Activities – Firefighters continued to build on prior suppression efforts, beginning on the southwest side of the fire near the Whitefish Creek Trail (# 3842), utilizing Minimum Impact Strategy and Tactics. Fireline supervisors continued to scout for future primary and secondary firelines. Resource advisors were engaged to assist in protecting natural and cultural resources. Fire activity increased throughout the day as temperatures and wind increased.

Today’s Activities – Firefighters will continue to build on prior suppression efforts and opportunities close to the current fire footprint in the Diamond Peak Wilderness. Firefighters will also continue performing structure assessments in the communities on the east side of the fire around Odell Lake, Crescent Lake Junction, and Crescent Lake. In addition, work will start on a shaded fuel break on National Forest land west of those communities and outside of Wilderness.

Weather – Sunny with areas of smoke through the day. Temperatures with a high near 90 degress, Relative Humidity 20-25%, east morning winds 5-8 mph, changing to north in the afternoon with winds 5-8 mph

Evacuations – There are no evacuation orders in place at this time for the Red Fire.

Fire Restrictions – Public use fire restrictions are currently in effect for the Deschutes National Forest. Visit CentralOregonFire.org or the Deschutes National Forest’s website (fs.usda.gov/detail/deschutes/home/?cid=stelprdb5297376) for more information.

Air quality information can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

If you fly, we can’t. Unauthorized drone flights (UAS) pose serious risks to firefighter and public safety and the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. Aerial firefighting is suspended when unauthorized UAS are in the area, allowing wildfires to grow larger.