Middlefork Fire Still Creeping Under Forest 'Umbrella'

Widespread rainfall on the Middlefork fire has helped firefighters but dense tree canopy has acted like an umbrella and kept the forest floor dry in many areas, allowing the fire to creep along.

The Lonesome Complex that includes the active Middlefork fire is now 50 percent contained at 21,125 acres.

Low visibility cut off helicopter access to the fire Thursday morning. As weather allows, air support will assist with removal of excess equipment and supplies including two remote automated weather stations.

Two helicopters, five engines, six water tenders and 328 people are assigned to the fire.

Closures remain in effect to provide for firefighter and public safety. Huckleberry Mountain Campground on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is open.

Closures:

• Crater Lake National Park south of Highway 62
• Northwest corner of the Fremont-Winema National Forests, mostly in the Sky Lakes Wilderness
• Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest north and south of Red Blanket Canyon as well as in the northern quarter of the Sky Lakes Wilderness.
• On Oregon Department of Forestry protected lands, campfires are allowed only in designated campgrounds.
• As rifle season opens this weekend for hunters, visitors are asked to please check with the Rogue River-Siskiyou or Fremont-Winema National Forest for information about campfire restrictions.