What is the name and location of the wildfire?

The Flat Fire is burning in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest in southwestern Oregon on July 20, 2023 (1,2,3,4).

Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire?

The cities and areas directly impacted by the Flat Fire include:

• Gold Beach: A city located about an hour west of the fire's location, near the confluence of the Illinois and Rogue rivers.
• Agness: A small community situated in and around the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, which is threatened by the fire.
• Oak Flat Campground: The fire started its path from this campground, which is located near the mouth of the Illinois River.
• Grants Pass: This city is located outside the immediate impact area but may experience smoke impacts due to the wildfire's spread.

In addition, there is air quality alerts downwind from the fire, extending in the San Francisco Bay area. San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Jose, and all cities in the region could see declining air quality (5).

What is the current containment status of the wildfire?

The containment status of the Flat Fire is at 0% as of July 20. The firefighting efforts are ongoing, and the fire has spread rapidly, covering more than 15,000 acres.

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

As of Wednesday morning, there were no evacuations ordered. However, a red flag warning is in effect for the area due to a mix of winds and low humidity. An evacuation shelter has been set up at Gold Beach High School for anyone displaced by the fire, but no widespread evacuation orders have been issued yet.

Please note that the situation may change rapidly, and it's important to follow updates from local authorities and emergency management departments for the most current information on evacuation orders and safety measures.

How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?

Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.

• Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
• Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
• Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke.
• Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
• Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.