# High Cascades Complex fires

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/High_Cascades_Complex_fires
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/High_Cascades_Complex_fires.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Cascades_Complex_fires
> Source revision: 1333492970
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Series of forest fires in Oregon

This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (December 2017)

High Cascades Complex fires Blanket Creek Fire on August 14, 2017 Date July 26, 2017 (2017-07-26) – Location Crater Lake National Park, Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest, Umpqua National Forest, Fremont–Winema National Forest in Oregon, United States Coordinates 42°56′06″N 122°24′25″W / 42.935°N 122.407°W / 42.935; -122.407 Statistics Burned area 72,309 acres (293 km2) Ignition Cause Lightning Map Location within Oregon

The **High Cascades Complex** was a group of 20 fires burning in four protected areas in [Oregon](/source/Oregon), in the [United States](/source/United_States), specifically: [Crater Lake National Park](/source/Crater_Lake_National_Park), [Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest](/source/Rogue_River_%E2%80%93_Siskiyou_National_Forest), [Umpqua National Forest](/source/Umpqua_National_Forest), and [Fremont–Winema National Forest](/source/Fremont%E2%80%93Winema_National_Forest). The first fire in the complex, the **Blanket Creek Fire**, was started by a [lightning strike](/source/Lightning_strike) on July 29, 2017. In total, the fires have burned 72,309 acres (293 km2) and are 28% contained. The fires are directly impacting the communities of [Prospect](/source/Prospect%2C_Oregon), [Union Creek](/source/Union_Creek%2C_Oregon) and [Diamond Lake](/source/Diamond_Lake%2C_Oregon), park headquarters, old growth forests that house endangered species like the [spotted owl](/source/Spotted_owl) and volcanic features.

## Events

The first fire, the Blanket Creek Fire, was started on July 26 by a [lightning strike](/source/Lightning_strike) in the [Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest](/source/Rogue_River_%E2%80%93_Siskiyou_National_Forest). Upon examination on August 14, the Blanket Creek Fire had grown to 5,223 acres (21 km2), burning approximately seven miles east of [Prospect, Oregon](/source/Prospect%2C_Oregon). Water from [Lost Creek Lake](/source/Lost_Creek_Lake) was used to help cull the fire. On July 29, the **Spruce Lake Fire**, triggered by a lightning strike, started on the west side of [Crater Lake National Park](/source/Crater_Lake_National_Park), totaling 4,885 acres (20 km2) by August 14. Over the course of the next few weeks, into August, more fires started due to lightning strikes, including the **Broken Lookout Fire**, **Round Top and Needle Fires**, and **Butte and Silent Fires**, all 25 acres (0 km2) or smaller as of August 14. At this time, sections of the [Pacific Crest Trail](/source/Pacific_Crest_Trail), among other Crater Lake National Park trails, were closed.[3]

On August 15, incident meteorologists released [weather balloons](/source/Weather_balloon) to examine current and upcoming weather conditions.[4] That day, another fire started, the **Sherwood Fire** (formerly known as the **Roseburg Fire**), burning just west of [Diamond Lake](/source/Diamond_Lake%2C_Oregon). However, the Round Top and Needle Fires and Butte and Silent Fires had both been 100% contained.[5] The following day, August 16, 150 [Oregon National Guard](/source/Oregon_National_Guard) members arrived to provide support.[6] By August 23, the Blanket Fire, burning at 5,889 acres (24 km2), had jumped the Pacific Crest Trail into the [Sky Lakes Wilderness](/source/Sky_Lakes_Wilderness). Spruce Lake Fire remained at 61% containment, Sherwood Fire at 80% containment and Broken Lookout Fire was at zero containment.[7]

By August 25, fire crews expressed concern about hunters and [huckleberry](/source/Huckleberry) pickers in the area and areas of the Fremont-Winema National Forest were closed, including roads and trails.[8] The next day, three more fires were added to the High Cascades Complex: **Paradise Fire**, **Pup Fire** and **Windy Gap Fire**. Additionally, the Blanket Fire jumped to 8,176 acres (33 km2).[9] Additionally, on August 26, Umpqua National Forest announced road and trail closures.[10] On August 27, the Sherwood Fire was 100% contained.[11]

Smoke from the Blanket Creek Fire on September 1, 2017

The Blanket Fire grew dramatically over the course of the next few weeks, totaling 11,895 acres (48 km2) by August 30. Crews created a defensible space around the Crater Lake National Park village of Mazama, to protect park buildings.[12] The next day, additional areas of the Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest were closed and as of September 1, additional closures were in place for Fremont-Winema National Forest, including [Sky Lakes Wilderness](/source/Sky_Lakes_Wilderness).[13][14] On September 5, the north entrance to Crater Lake National Park was closed to allow fire crews access to the Spruce Lake Fire and all access to [Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness](/source/Rogue-Umpqua_Divide_Wilderness) was halted.[15][2]

High Cascades Complex, Landsat 8, bands 758, false color infrared image, acquired October 27, 2017, data source   [https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/](https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/)

By September 9, the fires were split into two zones: the West Zone comprising the Broken Lookout and Pup Fire and the East Zone comprising the Spruce Lake, Blanket Creek, and North Pelican Fires.[16] Resources were put into protecting the community of [Union Creek](/source/Union_Creek%2C_Oregon) from the Broken Lookout Fire.[17]

As of September 11, the complex had burned a total of 70,654 acres (286 km2).[1] The east zone, comprising the Blanket Creek Fire, Spruce Lake Fire, and North Pelican Fire, is 20% contained and has burned 48,411 acres (196 km2).[18] The east zone had little activity by the next day, with protection strategies successfully protecting Hershberger Lookout from the Pup Fire and continued monitoring taking place regarding the Broken Lookout Fire's movement towards Union Creek.[19] By the end of the day, a new fire had started at the southern border of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and crews were moved to fight the new start, leaving the Broken Lookout and Pup Fires to be handled by aerial resources.[20]

## Closures and evacuations

A community meeting held by park staff in [Diamond Lake, Oregon](/source/Diamond_Lake%2C_Oregon)

As of September 6, specific areas of Crater Lake National Park are closed, including the north entrance, to allow fire operations for the Spruce Lake Fire.[15] Additionally, the Pacific Crest Trail from Dutton Creek Trail to North Entrance Road and from [Oregon Route 62](/source/Oregon_Route_62) to South Park Boundary, as well as Boundary Springs Trail; Bald Crater Loop Trail; Bert Creek Trail; Lightning Springs Trail; Watchman Trail; Union Peak Trail, Stuart Falls Trail, and Pumice Flat Trail.[3]

As of August 27, select roads and trails of the Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest, including Highway 62 and Highway 230, are closed due to Broken Lookout Fire and other nearby fires.[21] Additionally, select roads and trails in the Fremont-Winema National Forest and Umpqua National Forest were closed, including all of [Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness](/source/Rogue-Umpqua_Divide_Wilderness).[3][22][23]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-InciWeb_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-InciWeb_1-1) ["High Cascades Complex"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170905004837/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5503). *High Cascades Complex*. U.S. Forest Service. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5503/) on September 5, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-IW96_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-IW96_2-1) ["High Cascades Complex Update Sept. 6 A.M"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170907075237/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/40222/). *InciWeb*. US Forest Service. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/40222/) on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-IW814_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-IW814_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-IW814_3-2) ["High Cascades Complex Update August 14, 2017"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170907034250/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/38095/). *InciWeb*. US Forest Service. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/38095/) on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IWBalloon_4-0)** ["Weather Balloons Help Predict Conditions on Wildland Fires"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170907034317/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/38189/). *InciWeb*. US Forest Service. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/38189/) on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IW816_5-0)** ["High Cascades Complex Update August 16, 2017"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170907033927/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/38222/). *InciWeb*. US Forest Service. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/38222/) on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IW817_6-0)** ["High Cascades Complex Update August 17, 2017"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170907034315/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/38305/). *InciWeb*. US Forest Service. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/38305/) on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IW823_7-0)** ["High Cascades Complex Daily Fire Update August 23, 2017"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170907034225/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/38832/). *InciWeb*. US Forest Service. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/38832/) on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IW825_8-0)** ["High Cascades Complex Update, August 25 2017"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170907034206/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/38980/). *InciWeb*. US Forest Service. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/38980/) on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IW827_9-0)** ["High Cascades Complex Update August 27, 2017"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170907033134/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/39157/). *InciWeb*. US Forest Service. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/39157/) on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IWClose3_10-0)** ["Umpqua NF Road Trail Area & Recreation Site Closure Order #06-15-00-17-377"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170907033700/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/39106/). *InciWeb*. US Forest Service. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/39106/) on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IW828_11-0)** ["High Cascades Update for August 28, 2017"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170907034115/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/39249/). *InciWeb*. US Forest Service. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/39249/) on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IW830_12-0)** ["High Cascades Update for August 30, 2017"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170907033402/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/39450/). *InciWeb*. US Forest Service. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/39450/) on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IW831_13-0)** ["High Cascades Complex - August 31, 2017"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170907034118/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/39535/). *InciWeb*. US Forest Service. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/39535/) on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IW92_14-0)** ["High Cascades Complex Update, September 2, 2017"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170907033513/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/39757/). *InciWeb*. US Forest Service. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/39757/) on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-IWClose5_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-IWClose5_15-1) ["North Entrance of Crater Lake Closes Temporarily for Fire Operations"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170907033702/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/40120/). *InciWeb*. US Forest Service. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/40120/) on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IW99_16-0)** ["High Cascades Update September 9, 2017"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170909234216/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/40491/). *InciWeb*. US Forest Service. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/40491/) on September 9, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IW910_17-0)** ["High Cascades Complex West Zone update Sept. 10"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170910221213/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/40590/). *InciWeb*. Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, U.S. Forest Service. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/40590/) on September 10, 2017. Retrieved September 10, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IW910E_18-0)** ["High Cascades Complex West Zone update Sept. 10"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170910221213/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/40590/). *InciWeb*. Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, U.S. Forest Service. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/40590/) on September 10, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IW910W_19-0)** ["High Cascades Complex West Zone update Sept. 10"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170910221213/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/40590/). *InciWeb*. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/40590/) on September 10, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IW912_20-0)** ["High Cascades Complex West Zone update for Sept. 12"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170913044541/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/40804/). *InciWeb*. Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, U.S. Forest Service. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/40804/) on September 13, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IWClose4_21-0)** ["Rogue River-Siskiyou NF Expands Closure - Broken Lookout Fire"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170907034140/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/39505/). *InciWeb*. US Forest Service. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/39505/) on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IWClose1_22-0)** ["Rogue River-Siskiyou and Fremont Winema National Forest Closures"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170907034000/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/39013/). *InciWeb*. US Forest Service. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/39013/) on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IWClose6_23-0)** ["Officials Close Area West of Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170907033039/https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/40148/). *InciWeb*. US Forest Service. Archived from [the original](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5503/40148/) on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.

## External links

- [Oregon portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Oregon)

- Media related to [High Cascades Complex](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:High_Cascades_Complex) at Wikimedia Commons

v t e Oregon wildfires Pre-2000 Yacolt (1902) Tillamook (1933–1951) 2000–2015 Biscuit (2002) B&B (2003) Tumblebug (2009) Lava (2012) Long Draw (2012) Barry Point (2013) 2017 Chetco Bar Cinder Butte Eagle Creek High Cascades Complex Milli Nash Whitewater 2018 Boxcar Graham Jack Knife Klamathon Klondike Long Hollow Miles South Valley Substation Post-2018 2020 Almeda Drive Archie Creek Beachie Creek Holiday Farm Lionshead Santiam Slater 2021 Bootleg Jack 2022 Cedar Creek 2023 Alder Creek Devils Butte Flat Golden 2024 Durkee Little Yamsay 2025 Rowena Cram Burdoin Flat 2026 Category Commons

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [High Cascades Complex fires](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Cascades_Complex_fires) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Cascades_Complex_fires?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.