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 20, 2024

Firefighters are using direct and indirect tactics to fully suppress eight fires, totaling approximately 35,695 acres. An infrared flight last night detected 13 acres of fire growth across the Homestead Complex, largely in interior islands of unburned vegetation, on the north flank of the Horse Heaven Fire, and on the south flank of the Fuller Lake fire. 765 people are assigned to the Homestead Complex and Lane 1 fires. The Salmon 33 Fire (275 acres), Reynolds Butte Fire (334 acres) and Lost Bucket Fire (34 acres) have all been 100% contained.

Crews are improving containment lines across the fire area by reducing fuels through mastication, chipping wood, and hauling fuels 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. Two helicopters are supporting firefighters on the ground, dropping buckets of water as needed. Crews are also clearing and repairing roads impacted by the fires and by fire suppression activities. The goal of these fire suppression and repair efforts is to protect the values at risk: communities and infrastructure; private timber lands; and public resources, including recreation opportunities and fish spawning habitat.

On the Horse Heaven Fire (2,741 acres, 56% containment), masticators are working south on the 3829 road with hand crews supporting fuel reduction in areas too steep for machinery. On the north flank, hand crews are addressing hot spots directly at the fire edge. Engines are focused on mopping up in the northeast. Hose lays are in place to supply water to crews. Chippers are working down the 3831 road on the east flank.

On the Fuller Lake (3,690 acres, 0% containment) and Bullpup (535 acres, 7% containment) fires, a chipper and excavator are pulling out and processing larger vegetation at the northwest edge. On the east flank, a masticator is working on the 319 road to prepare for a contingency dozer line. Firefighters are developing direct fire line just north of the wilderness on the east flank, and cold trailing along the 5851 road. Three masticators and a crew are working south from the 436 road to create indirect fire line. An Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS, or drone) is supporting firefighting operations on the east flank of the Fuller Lake fire.

On the No Man Fire (2,090 acres, 44% containment), a hand crew is working in steep areas at the northwest edge. On the north and south flanks, crews are repairing dozer line. Chipping and log-hauling continue on the south flank, with grading on the 3806 and 38 roads. Firefighters will check on hot spots shown on the infrared detection flight from last night.

On the Lane 1 Fire (25,951 acres, 99% containment) crews are cleaning out ditches and chipping on the 2328 road, and removing snags on the north flank of the fire. On the east flank, a large, tracked chipper is working in the Fairview area. Crews are hauling logs in that area and near Bohemia Mine.

Closures and fire restrictions: Two closure orders impact every District of the Umpqua National Forest https://t.ly/Mvn6G. As of today, the forest is in Moderate Fire Danger with no Public Use Restrictions 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: The weather forecast today is similar to yesterday, except that relative humidities will be lower. A warming and drying trend continues this week, reaching into the 80s on Tuesday, with relative humidities dipping to 28 percent. As fuels dry out, the potential for some fire spread and additional smoke increases.