Thursday mornings Flat Fire briefing from U.S. Forest Service revealed that the fires growth slowed slightly Wednesday, with the latest infrared imaging performed late last evening, the Flat Fire grew over 2,461 acres in past 24 hours compared to the 4,552 acres in the previous update, and now has consumed more than 15,217 acres as it continues to burn in the burn scars from the Biscuit and Klondike fires.
Fire crews focused on direct and indirect line construction as well as small burnouts in the northern section in efforts to protect the community of Agness as crews begin to work themselves into position to strengthen lines on the western flank. Crews on the southwestern area of the fire have established handline firebreak from a forest road to an already burned out area of the fire while utilizing aviation and ground resources to keep the fire in check and slowing the fires progress from moving along Wildhorse Ridge. Steep terrain and limited access points continue to hinder the now the over 900 firefighters after 392 more firefighters were added in the past day.
Fire managers utilized air resources throughout the day to help firecrews by dropping water and fire retardant to temporarily slow the fires advancement as crews struggle to create and maintain fire lines ultimately surrounding the fire in containment lines.
Red Flag weather conditions continue to be forecast into early Friday morning with low humidity recoveries in the evening continuing favorable conditions for fire growth The fire is expected to continue to be active today and is expected to continue to burn aggressively along Wildhorse Ridge on the west side of the fire and will continue continue burning south towards the head of Lawson Creek. The south and east side of the fire will continue with short uphill runs and flanking fire with minimal spread to the north towards Agness.
Currently the U.S. Forest Service has deployed 10 Engines, 34 crews, 908 firefighters, 4 bulldozers, 2 water tenders and 7 helicopters, and now 7 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 over the next several days and continue to strengthen and create new firelines while looking for opportunities to use existing roads and bodies of water as natural fire breaks.
Also, 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 and fire restrictions issued Monday also remain in place. So far no official evacuation notices have been issued.
