Efforts to battle the Crescent Fire in Crater Lake National Park required the temporary closure this Sunday night of the park's north entrance, as well as a section of the Pacific Crest Trail/NPS

Firefighting efforts will require a temporary closure of the north entrance to Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, as well as a section of the Pacific Crest Trail, this Sunday evening.

Officials say the closure, beginning at 10 p.m., is necessary "to allow for fire line preparation and burn out operations related to the Crescent Fire. The precautionary closure is being put into effect to facilitate fire operations and provide for the safety of firefighters and park visitors. The Pacific Crest Trail will also temporarily close from the park north boundary to the junction with Lightning Springs Trail."

There was no word on how long the closure would last.

The National Creek Complex consists of two fires: the National Fire burning on the Rogue River -Siskiyou National Forest and the Crescent Fire located in the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park. Both fires were started during a series of lightning strikes on August 1. The fires are being managed under a full suppression strategy although the tactics may differ between the park and forest, officials said.

Crater Lake National Park visitors traveling from the north should proceed south on U.S. 97 to Route 422 at Chiloquin then on to Route 62 to the south entrance of Crater Lake. There are no entrance fees for drivers simply traversing Route 62 through the southern part of the park. Commercial truck traffic remains prohibited on Route 62 within the park.

Visitors should expect increased delays at the Annie Creek entrance station as all park traffic will be routed through this point during the temporary closure of the north entrance.

Crews continue to make progress on the fires and have focused on the north flank to prevent the fire from spreading across Highway 230 and toward Diamond Lake. The preparation along the park’s North Entrance Road will support those operations.

All other roadways within the park and all facilities remain open. Smoke within the park has been intermittent and limited depending on wind direction. Viewing conditions can be variable throughout the day and range from hazy to clear.