Jessica Cejnar Andrews / Thursday, July 20, 2023 @ 9:03 a.m. / Fire, Oregon
Over 908 Firefighters, Including Locals, Are Fighting 15,217 Acre Flat Fire
From Northwest Incident Command Team 6:
Flat Fire Quick Facts
Size: 15,217
Start Date: July 15, 2023
Point of origin: 2 miles south east Agness, OR
Cause: Under Investigation
Total personnel: 908
Resources: 10 engines
34 crews
4 bulldozers
2 water tenders
7 masticators
8 helicopters
Current Situation: Overnight, three small, targeted burnout operations were completed in the northwest flank. Masticators are working around the fire to reduce vegetation, assisting firefighter operations, and about 30% of the west flank has been completed. Firefighters are about halfway through securing control lines in the northern section of the fire.
Working on the Flat Fire there are many personnel from different businesses and agencies, including local firefighters who live in surrounding communities like Gold Beach, Brookings, and Agness.
There has been minimal spread to the north with the most active part of the fire being the west flank. Today, the fire will continue to be most active in the west.
Today’s activities: Firefighters and South Coast Lumber will continue working together to improve an existing shaded fuel break utilizing Forest Service Road 3318. If conditions permit firefighters will be conducting small burnout operations on the western flank of the fire to slow fire spread. Structure protection groups will continue working to prepare buildings.
Evacuations: Please monitor the Curry and Josephine County Emergency Management Offices for official evacuation notices.
Weather: Red Flag warning remains in effect for Southwest Oregon due to hot, dry, and windy conditions.
Smoke: Smoke Forecast Outlooks are available at https://www.oregonsmoke.org/?m=1
Closures: 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. Please be careful when driving in the area due to increased fire traffic.
Restrictions: Fire Restrictions are in place https://www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou
Information Line: 541-216-4579 8am-8pm
Media inquiries: 541-237-6369 8am-8pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flatfireoregon2023
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlatFireOR2023
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident.../xx1002-flat-fire
Email: 2023.flat.or@firenet.gov