Incident Management Team Takes Command of Diamond Complex – KQEN News Radio

July 20, 2024, 2:00 p.m.

Widespread lightning strikes over the Pacific coast in the northwest sparked numerous forest fires on Tuesday.

An update from the Umpqua National Forest says firefighters are identifying, assessing and fighting these fires as they develop. The fires in UNF’s Diamond Lake District are now grouped together as the Diamond Complex.

The Northwest 7 Command Incident Management Team, led by Commander Nate LeFevre, assumed command of the Diamond Complex at 6:00 a.m. Saturday. There are currently nine fires in the Diamond Complex with an estimated total area of ​​1,755 acres under a full fire suppression strategy. This means firefighters are directly attacking the edges of the fire where firefighter access and safety permit. They are employing indirect strategies by building control lines and utilizing national barriers where access issues and safety concerns prevent a direct attack.

The fires that currently make up the Diamond Complex are:

*Pine Bench – 773 acres, north of Highway 138 near Dry Creek

*Hiking Trail – 701 acres, east of Highway 138 on the western slope of Mt. Thielsen

*Lemolo – 173 acres, north of Lemolo Lake on Bunker Hill

*Pig Iron – 2 acres, on Pig Iron Mountain, north of Highway 138

*Watson – 37 acres, north of Highway 138 on Watson Ridge

*Brodie – 40 acres, about 5 miles south of Highway 138 and south of Devils Canyon

*Trep – 21 acres, about 4 miles south of Highway 138

*Garwood – 2 acres approximately 3 miles southwest of Mt. Bailey

*Slide – 0.1 acres, northeast of Pine Bench

*Clearwater – 0.1 acres

Several new fires were also observed

The update states that active firefighting will continue Saturday, with the Lemolo, Trail, Pig Iron and Pine Bench fires being prioritized. As the fires progress, the team will re-prioritize firefighting efforts. Active fire behavior is expected with the upcoming weather. Firefighters will continue to remain vigilant as there could be additional lightning strikes.