Single Publication

Email: 2024.homesteadcomplex@firenet.gov

Fire Information Line: 541-208-7100 (Staffed 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
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Inciweb: https://t.ly/syeHa 

September 17, 2024

Firefighters are working to fully suppress eight fires, totaling approximately 35,650 acres. 800 people are assigned to these fires. Firefighters are using direct and indirect tactics to respond to all fires. Three of the fires in the Homestead Complex are 100% contained: the Salmon 33 Fire (275 acres) on August 24; the Reynolds Butte Fire (334 acres) on August 22; and the Lost Bucket Fire (34 acres) on July 29. 

Crews are improving containment lines across the fire area by reducing fuels through mastication, chipping wood, and hauling fuel to landings away from the fire. There are still many miles of uncontained fire edge. Firefighters are mopping up, widening and strengthening fire lines by extinguishing hot spots and removing fuels. Crews are also clearing and repairing roads impacted by the fires and by fire suppression activities.

On the Horse Heaven Fire (2,741 acres, 56% containment), crews are masticating, chipping, and removing trees for access on the O25 and O26 roads on the west flank, and chipping along the east flank of the fire. Firefighters continue mopping up on the north flank of the fire along the 920 and 3831 roads. They are looking at improving the 3829 road to serve as fire line and backhauling any unneeded hose. 

On the Fuller Lake (3,690 acres, 0% containment) and Bullpup (535 acres, 7% containment) fires, crews are using heavy equipment to masticate fuels on the 3810 road at the southwest edge of the fire, along the wilderness boundary. They will continue working south on that road today, weather permitting. The spot fire at the southwest edge is in patrol status as of yesterday. On the east flank, a module of local firefighters put hand line in place, tied into the riparian area and meadow. Today, they will continue to mop up and improve that line. They will also continue chipping on the 3816 road.

On the No Man Fire (2,090 acres, 44% containment), crews are working on the north flank with an excavator and backhoes and removing logs in the northwest corner of the fire edge. A reconnaissance flight looked down into the drainage yesterday and found only one visible smoke plume that was interior and fully surrounded by burned area. Firefighters are working today on two areas near the south flank with an engine, skidgen, and hand crew mopping up. A dozer and hand crews are working down the hill near Chilcoot mountain.

On the Lane 1 Fire (25,951 acres, 99% containment),road repairs and chipping are complete in the northwest corner. Chipping and mastication continue today on the Clark Creek road, with log hauling on the Sharps and Puddin Creek roads. Crews will begin mastication on the east flank near Adams Mountain today.

Closures and fire restrictions: Two closure orders impact every District of the Umpqua National Forest https://t.ly/Mvn6G. The forest is in High Fire Danger with Public Use Restrictions at Level 2 https://t.ly/LI4cd. A Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Roseburg District closure order is in effect for portions of BLM land bordering the Umpqua National Forest closure north of Steamboat https://t.ly/uWX6l. A BLM Northwest Oregon District closure is also in place for an area west of the Lane 1 fire https://t.ly/oW1lG.

Weather: Expect cooler weather with higher humidity today, low clouds, and a 40% chance of ¼ inch of rain. Winds will be 3 to 6 mph. Fuels should not become substantially wetter today, with fire continuing to smolder and creep. Wednesday starts a period of warmer, drier weather that may increase fire behavior in some areas.