The Phoenix Fire has been burning for over a week in Crater Lake National Park, but fire crews won’t be extinguishing the fire. Instead, they will be continuing to monitor and manage the fire while allowing it to continue burning. Started by a lightning strike on August 17th, the fire is estimated to be about 200 acres in size and is burning in an area about 7 miles southeast of Diamond Lake.
Because the fire is not a threat to any buildings, evacuations have not been reported. The NPS and US Forest Service are working together to manage the fire, in an effort to “allow fire to serve its natural role in the ecosystem and reduce hazardous fuel accumulation,” according to officials.
There is a possibility that the fire could spread into the adjacent Fremont-Winema National Forest, but crews have been digging a control line to avoid that possibility. Should it happen though, those flames will be put out immediately, rather than managing the burn, as it poses a different risk in National Forest land.
-via KTVZ
Photo Credit: South Central Oregon Fire Management
