Firefighters have made progress battling the Flat fire, the largest of four wildfires currently burning in Oregon.
The Flat fire, located 2 two miles southeast of Agness in Curry County, has burned 24,951 acres as of Saturday morning and is 14% contained, up from 4% contained on Thursday, according to the U.S. Forest Service. More than 1,700 people are responding to the fire, including 51 engines, 42 crews, 8 bulldozers, 32 water tenders, 8 masticators and 12 helicopters.
Humans sparked the fire on July 15, although the exact cause remains under investigation, officials said. The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center expects the fire to be contained by Sept. 1.
The Forest Service said crews today are progressing on the southwestern flank, south of forest road 3680. In the next few days, operations will be taking place on the northeast side using forest roads 3577 and 150 as control lines.
The Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest has closed the fire area including trails, roads and a portion of the Illinois River.
Level 1 (get ready) evacuation orders are in effect on the north side of the Rogue River in Agesss up to Illahe Lodge and along the Rogue River from Quosatana Creek Campground to the Agness area. Level 2 (get set) orders are in effect for the area immediately east of Agness as well as some areas to the southwest of the fire. You can sign up for evacuation notices on Everbridge.
Other Oregon wildfires
Bedrock fire: More than 500 people are fighting the 9,052-acre fire 27 miles of southeast of Eugene. It grew by almost 1,000 acres Friday and is 0% contained. The fire started July 22 and the cause is still under investigation. The area surrounding the fire in the Willamette National Forest is closed.
Golden fire: This 2,137-acre fire nine miles north of Bonanza in Klamath County is 27% contained. There is high potential for the fire to spread with high temperatures, low humidity and windy conditions expected today and tomorrow.
Simnasho fire: This 1,280-acre fire 16 miles northwest of Warm Springs is 90% contained and did not grow yesterday.
— The Oregonian/OregonLive