Oregon wildfire updates: Flat Fire grows to 12,756 acres, 224 Fire containment increases

Abigail Landwehr, Salem Statesman Journal
·4 min read
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The western flank of the Flat Fire from the air looking southeast.
The western flank of the Flat Fire from the air looking southeast.

Amid air quality warnings, teams continue to fight against a number of wildfires across Oregon. From the Willamette Valley and beyond, here are the latest updates on the fires.

Flat Fire grows to 12,756 acres

Continuing its spread, the Flat Fire grew to 12,756 acres Wednesday morning, according to a news release from fire teams.

Burning in the Oak Flat and Agness area of southwest Oregon's Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, the fire is about an hour east of Gold Beach and near the confluence of the Illinois and Rogue rivers. Its path spread toward Wild Horse Ridge up Lawson Creek on its west side Tuesday morning.

Closures in the area issued by Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest include roads, trails and part of the Illinois River. Those driving in the area should watch for increased fire traffic, the release added.

Map showing the current area of the Flat Fire in southwest Oregon.
Map showing the current area of the Flat Fire in southwest Oregon.

Additionally, a public lands closure was issued for the area Monday night. That closure includes the Illinois River and its trail and the northern half of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness. The Rogue River remains open and accessible.

A red flag warning is also in effect throughout southern Oregon due to a mix of winds and low humidity.

Toward the north side of the fire, firelines are being strengthened by crews to protect the community of Agness. Structure protection groups are also in place working to protect buildings. The fire has threatened about 40 structures, teams have said previously.

“Last night, firefighters had successful burnout operations in the northwest section and these will continue today if conditions allow,” Wednesday morning’s release said. “Small burn-out operations enable firefighters to consume vegetation between them and the wildfire making firefighting safer and slowing fire spread protecting local communities.”

The Flat Fire started on its path Saturday, at Oak Flat Campground toward the mouth of the Illinois River. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to fire teams. As the fire grew, so did a smoke column becoming visible from Gold Beach to Grants Pass.

The team fighting against the fire has also grown. At least 516 firefighters and personnel from 17 crews are on the scene, alongside 10 engines and seven helicopters.

A community meeting will be hosted at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Agness at Agness Library Park.

Boulder Fire mop-up efforts finished

The 233-acre Boulder Fire in the Mount Hood National Forest has not grown in size. Teams finished 100% of mop-up Wednesday in both divisions, taking heat along the fire edge and cooling it down.

Repairs of roads that were damaged during the fire is the new focus, as crews continue to patrol for any hotspots. More than 395 firefighters have worked on the suppression efforts for the fire, which burned around Little Boulder Lake.

Fire officials are also asking for help in determining how Boulder Fire ignited.

"The Forest Service asks that the public recall any information, photography, or videos they may have from their visit to the area where the fire began on July 8. Any information can assist investigators in determining the cause of the fire. Please submit any information that could assist fire investigation efforts to SM.FS.R6TipHotLine@usda.gov."

Containment increases on the 224 Fire

The 224 Fire has not grown from 38 acres, but now sits at 50% containment. Located 5 miles southeast of Estacada, the North Fork Road leading up to the fire is closed to the public for the safety of teams.

All evacuations were lifted at 5 p.m. Tuesday night.

“Firefighters working on the ground today continue to complete fire lines and work from existing containment lines performing mop-up to keep the fire in check," the Oregon Department of Forestry North Cascade District added in an update. “Tonight, operations will work to mop-up into 75 feet of fire, where safety allows. This means extinguishing all hot spots to reduce the chance the fire spreads.”

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Located 5 miles southeast of Estacada, the 224 Fire has not grown from 38 acres and now sits at 50% containment.
Located 5 miles southeast of Estacada, the 224 Fire has not grown from 38 acres and now sits at 50% containment.

Haight Creek Fire

Southwest of Veneta, the Haight Creek Fire is estimated to have burnt over 40 acres. No evacuation orders have been issued and no structures or powerlines are threatened, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry.

“The biggest threat is to natural resources,” the department added in an update. “Crews worked overnight and continue into the morning as they try to put a fire line around the footprint to keep it as small as possible.”

The Haight Creek Fire is estimated to have burnt over 40 acres.
The Haight Creek Fire is estimated to have burnt over 40 acres.

Abigail Landwehr is an outdoors journalism intern for the Statesman Journal. She can be reached at alandwehr@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon wildfire updates: Flat Fire grows to 12,756 acres