Flat Fire in southwest Oregon roars to 5,477 acres near Agness

Zach Urness, Salem Statesman Journal
·2 min read
The Flat Fire in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest was estimated at 2,000-3,000 acres as of Sunday.
The Flat Fire in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest was estimated at 2,000-3,000 acres as of Sunday.

This story was updated at 1:33 p.m. Monday

The Flat Fire continued to grow Monday, reaching an estimated 5,477 acres by early afternoon, according to fire teams.

The fire is burning in the Oak Flat and Agness area of southwest Oregon's Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, near the confluence of the Illinois and Rogue rivers, about an hour east of Gold Beach.

Crews focused focused on structure protection in the communities of Oak Flat and Agness — approximately 40 structures are threatened, an evening report said.

"Fire behavior is expected to be active today after the inversion layer lifts," a report on Monday said. "Fire growth is being affected by terrain, wind, and low humidity."

An air quality alert has been issued for southern Curry County and parts of western Josephine County due to smoke from the fire.

The fire is fully established on both sides of the Illinois River and burning in the 2002 Biscuit Fire scar. It's remote country but popular for outdoor recreation, as the Illinois River is considered among the best whitewater rafting trips in Oregon, and the Illinois River Trail is also popular for hiking and backpacking.

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

A total of 332 firefighters and personnel on 10 crews, 19 engines and seven helicopters are currently working the fire, with more expected to arrive in coming days.

The fire ignited at Oak Flat Campground near the mouth of the Illinois River, about an hour east of Gold Beach. On Saturday afternoon, the fire grew extremely rapidly, putting up a smoke column visible from Gold Beach to Grants Pass. The fire was spotting — or sending embers that ignited new fires — a quarter mile ahead of the blaze.

Rumors have swirled locally about the cause of the fire, but nothing has been confirmed by officials so far.

Explore Oregon Podcast: Wildfire season looking increasingly dire this year

The fire is burning in steep and remote terrain in an area with a history of producing megafires — the Biscuit (2002), Cheto Bar (2017) and Klondike fires (2018) all grew well over 100,000 acres in the area.

Previously, fire officials said they would "continue to work to keep the fire as small as possible," a news release said. However, "weather conditions and terrain are not favorable and rapid growth is expected over the next few days."

Active fire behavior south of the Illinois River yesterday afternoon on the #FlatFireOregon2023 burning on the Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest.

Posted by Flat Fire - Southern Oregon 2023 on Monday, July 17, 2023

A new wildfire has ignited in southwest Oregon, south of the small town of Agness near the community of Oak Flat near the Illinois River. It's inland from Gold Beach.
A new wildfire has ignited in southwest Oregon, south of the small town of Agness near the community of Oak Flat near the Illinois River. It's inland from Gold Beach.

Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. To support his work, subscribe to the Statesman Journal. Urness is the author of “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon” and “Hiking Southern Oregon.” He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Flat Fire in southwest Oregon roars to 5,477 acres near Agness

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