Crater Lake Natl. Park: Level 1 pre-evacuation for Mazama Village

Crater Lake National Park has issued a Level 1 Evacuation Notice for Mazama Village, effective at 1 p.m. Sunday. The Level 1 notice informs residents and visitors to “be ready” for a potential evacuation of Mazama Village, including employee dormitories and trailer sites, in the event that the Blanket Creek Fire approaches these areas.

Current or projected threats from the approaching fire indicate that there may be a need to evacuate in the future, however, there are no mandatory evacuations at this time. Rim Village, park headquarters and other areas in the park are not affected by this Level 1 notice.

There are three evacuation notice levels: Level 1 “BE READY” for potential evacuation; Level 2 “BE SET” to evacuate; and Level 3 “GO” evacuate now. This is the time for preparation and precautionary movement of persons with special needs, mobile property, and pets.

If conditions worsen, emergency services personnel may contact you via an emergency notification system. In the event that this occurs, the park will make every attempt to contact visitors and residents personally. If you are absent from your residence, campsite, or vehicle for more than a short time, please leave a note with your name and a contact telephone number in a door or window where it can be easily seen.

Residents and park visitors will be advised as conditions change and are encouraged to check the park website ( www.nps.gov/crla ), Facebook, or Twitter, as well as InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5503/ for current status and updates. Fire information is also available at park entrance stations and at both visitor centers.

Visitors may see crews working to create and enhance defensible space around the structures and facilities at Mazama Village, and preparing Highway 62 in the southeast corner of Crater Lake National Park to serve as a future containment line for the Blanket Creek Fire. Defensible space is essential to improving a building’s chance of surviving a wildfire. It is the buffer that is created between a building and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surrounds it.

The Blanket Creek Fire ignited by lightning on July 26 ,and is being managed collectively with other fires in Crater Lake National Park, the Rogue-Siskyou National Forest, Umpqua National Forest, and the Fremont-Winema National Forest, and is part of the High Cascades Complex. The Blanket Creek Fire is currently 8,176 acres.

Visitors are not at risk, officials said. While the fires have also resulted in trail closures, the park and all facilities and services remain open for business. Please be aware that smoky conditions may be present thoughout the park, and visitors are advised to check the park website for current conditions prior to traveling to the area. For more information regarding smoke levels go to http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/ .

The following trail closures due to the Spruce Lake and Blanket Creek Fires continue to be in effect until further notice:

· Pacific Crest Trail, from the park boundary to Highway 62 and from the intersection of Dutton Creek Trail north to the North Entrance Road

· Boundary Springs Trail

·All of Bald Crater Loop Trail

·Bert Creek Trail

·Lightning Springs Trail

·Union Peak Trail

·Stuart Falls Trail

·Pumice Flat Trail

We are monitoring this situation and will reopen these trails as soon as it is safe to do so. All other trails in Crater Lake National Park remain open. Please contact the Fire Information Office at (541)316-8352 w with any questions or for additional information.