Hagelstein

## Hagelstein Fire Report - July 29, 2025 ### Fire Start, Size and Growth **Start Date/Time/Location**: The Hagelstein Fire was first reported on July 15, 2025, around 5:15 PM PDT, approximately 14 miles north of Klamath Falls, Oregon, near Highway 97 and Modoc Point. The fire is burning on private land protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Fremont-Winema National Forest. **Size and Containment**: As of July 23, 2025, the fire had grown to 669 acres and was 75% contained. Earlier reports from July 15 indicated 523 acres with 0% containment. **Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread**: The fire is primarily burning in timber (litter and understory), light logging slash, and brush. Initial reports described significant activity including flanking, single tree torching, and spotting. Over the last 72 hours, crews have been working to increase mop-up depth and strengthen fire control lines, with efforts focused on gridding for heat and flames. The west side of the fire has seen mop-up to a depth of 150-250 feet. **Containment Efforts**: Unified command is in place, with the Oregon Department of Forestry's Incident Management Team 1, which also manages the Elk Fire, overseeing the Hagelstein Fire. Firefighters are engaged in constructing and holding fire lines, preparing dozer lines for burnout operations, and identifying hazard trees. Suppression repair work is also underway to prevent erosion and runoff. The estimated containment date was projected for July 30, 2025. ### Emergency Information **Evacuations and Sheltering**: As of July 21, 2025, all evacuation notices for areas around the Elk Fire were lifted by the Klamath County Sheriff's Office due to reduced threat. No specific evacuation orders or warnings for the Hagelstein Fire have been widely reported in the last 72 hours. **Road and Infrastructure Closures**: Highway 97 near the entrance to Hagelstein on the 9718 road has experienced heavy fire traffic, and drivers are urged to use caution. The Fremont-Winema National Forest has implemented forest area closures around the fires for public and firefighter safety. An emergency closure order for specific National Forest System lands and roads within the Chiloquin Ranger District is in effect through October 31, 2025. **For more information, visit:** * [Fremont-Winema National Forest Alerts](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/fremont-winema/alerts) * [Klamath Alerts](https://klamathalerts.com/) * [Oregon Smoke Blog](https://www.oregonsmoke.org/) ### Current Impact **Impacts**: **Structures Impacted**: No specific reports of structures destroyed or damaged by the Hagelstein Fire have been detailed in the last 72 hours. **Injuries and Fatalities**: No injuries or fatalities have been reported in connection with the Hagelstein Fire. **School and Business Closures**: No school or business closures directly related to the Hagelstein Fire have been reported. **Power Outages**: Pacific Power was able to reenergize powerlines running through the Hagelstein Fire on July 20, 2025, stabilizing the power grid for surrounding communities. **Safety Concerns**: **Burn Bans**: Fire danger levels are "HIGH" across all of Southern Oregon, and campfires are restricted in many areas. **Fire Restrictions**: The Fremont-Winema National Forest has implemented closures and restrictions for public and firefighter safety. **Air Quality**: Areas of smoke and haze are expected in the Klamath Basin from local and regional wildfires, with air quality potentially being unhealthy for sensitive groups at times. On July 16, 2025, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Chiloquin was reported as 166, which is considered unhealthy. ### Ongoing Outlook **Containment Projections**: As of July 23, 2025, the Hagelstein Fire was 75% contained. The estimated containment date was projected for July 30, 2025. Firefighters are focusing on mop-up operations and strengthening control lines. **Weather and Wind Warnings**: The region has been experiencing very warm temperatures and dry conditions with gusty winds. Afternoon winds are expected to reach 15-25 mph, with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms continuing through Friday. The National Weather Service issued a Fire Weather Watch for abundant lightning from 1 PM to 11 PM on Thursday, July 31, 2025. ### Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate **Cause**: The cause of the Hagelstein Fire is currently under investigation. **Weather and Climate**: The fire has been influenced by hot and dry conditions with gusty winds. The forecast indicates a continuation of warm temperatures and dry conditions, with increasing chances of thunderstorms and lightning, which can exacerbate fire behavior and create new ignitions. ### **For more information, visit:** * [Oregon Department of Forestry](https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Pages/index.aspx) * [Inciweb - Hagelstein Fire](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8361/) * [Oregon Smoke Blog](https://www.oregonsmoke.org/)

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