Saturday, August 26, 2023, Fire Update as of 1230 PDT

AGNESS, OREGON — The Flat Fire is burning about two miles SE of Agness in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest which was a human-caused fire that started on July 15, 2023. The fire has burned 34,242 acres of timber, chaparral, grass and understory. It is 58% contained. About 40 residences and 12 mixed residential structures are threatened. The Lead Fire agency is the USDA Forest Service.

There are a total of 434 personnel along with 11 crews, 3 copters, 3 dozers, 16 water tenders, 4 masticators, and 17 engines.

Fire Officials: “The Initial Attack (IA) group staged at the Old Mill Camp responded to two new starts due to Thursday’s thunderstorm activity. The Barklow Fire is estimated at 5-10 acres and is located within the Copper Salmon Wilderness. Additionally, IA crews responded to the Cedar Fire, near the south end of the Grassy Knob Wilderness. That fire is reportedly 1.5 acres. Firefighters started working their way into both fires on Friday and continue to support the local forest with suppression activities in the area. The IA group consists of several engines, hand crews, and overhead.”

Fire Operations:

* North/NE Sides: remain a priority as work continues along the Illinois Trail to clear up any hazard trees that pose a threat to the trail. Crews continue to rehab the dozer and hand line near Oak Creek Camp to help stabilize the area and make it safer in advance of any potential precipitation. Resources remain engaged with suppression repair within the Raspberry Mountain area working on repairing and stabilizing the dozer line used as part of suppression efforts.

NE side: Crews resumed working to clear culvert debris from mastication work. This repair work is an important piece of suppression efforts to help minimize and restore fire impacts to natural resources and lands after fire suppression activities. In Agness, engines are patrolling within the area to maintain a presence and address any questions from the community. Additionally, around the perimeter of the fire, air, and ground resources are monitoring containment lines along with the open section of line along the eastern flank for any remaining heat. They continue to work hotspots as necessary.

Description: Morning briefing from Old Mill Camp on August 13th, 2023 where crews have been staged to respond to new starts.

PC: Flat Fire 2023 Facebook Page

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