According to the latest updates from the U.S. Forest Services Wednesday morning, Flat Fire growth has slowed significantly since Monday mornings report showing more than 22,066 total acres after averaging 1,742 acres per day over the weekend.
Wednesday mornings report showed that total acres consumed is currently 23,104 total acres, only 1,038 acres since Monday morning.
After asking for and receiving permission to use heavy equipment Sunday morning, and aggressive control burns ahead of the fires front line, fire crews took advantage of cooler weather and higher humidity conditions and slowed fire growth to just over 500 acres per day since Monday, continuing to strengthen fire breaks along many forest roads as helicopters make water drops along the fires southern edge to moderate and slow the fire’s behavior as it approaches burnout areas ahead of the fires advancement.
Fire crews remain in the communities of Oak Flat and Agness for structure protection with the dozer line starting at Game Lake, heading east, traversing the Kalmiopsis Wilderness at its northern boundary. Control burns continue from the Game Lake area south towards Snow Camp along the southwest portion of the fire as it continues to burn in the in the burn scars from the Biscuit and Klondike fires.
Currently the U.S. Forest Service has deployed 1,528 total personnel, 46 Engines, 36 crews, 9 bulldozers, 24 water tenders, 8 helicopters, and 8 masticators, used to grind or chew woody debris into one to two inch pieces leaving behind chipped woody debris.
Air resources continue to be utilized as conditions and visibility allow and additional resources continue to arrive and to strengthen and create new firelines while looking for opportunities to use existing roads and bodies of water as natural fire breaks.
A Level 2 “Get Set” evacuation notice remains in effect from Agness to Quosatana Creek and for the areas of Oak Flat, Old House Creek Road and Spud Road. Curry County is using Everbridge to send evacuation notices. https://www.co.curry.or.us/departments/emergency_management/index.php
The Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest has issued a closure order for the fire area including trails, roads and a portion of the Illinois River. Oak Flat Campground, Game Lake Campground, Wild Horse Campground and Snow Camp Lookout Recreation Rentals are all part of the area closure.
