July 24, 2023 10:20 a.m. 

The Flat Fire burning in Curry County is now over 22,000 acres.

An update from Northwest Incident Management Team Three said moderate fire behavior is expected Monday due to cool weather and slightly higher humidity. The fire continues to be most active in the southwest where it’s burning in the Biscuit Fire scar through thick vegetation and snags. It is more moderate in the southeast where the fire is burning within the previous Klondike Fire scar.

Firefighters are using heavy machinery within an old mining road near Forest Service Trail #1174 in an effort to create a control line to the south of the fire. This was also utilized as a suppression line during the Klondike Fire. The control line starts at Game Lake and heads east, traversing the Kalmiopsis Wilderness at its northern boundary.

The update said crews have successfully implemented strategic firing operations and established control lines along the northern perimeter. Firefighters will continue to assess opportunities and mobilize resources for additional contingency control lines in a proactive manner ahead of dry and windy conditions in the coming weeks. In the northeast, crews plan to continue firing operations followed by mop up and patrol. Resources are being moved around the fire’s edge as work is completed to support firing operations and establish control lines as directly as possible along the fire perimeter.

The closure order continues for the fire area. The order, from the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest, includes trails, roads and a portion of the Illinois River.

1,497 personnel are assigned to the fire.

Get updates on the Flat Fire on its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/flatfireoregon2023