Single Publication

Willamette Complex South & Red Fire Update

Red, 208, Moss Mountain, Coffee Pot, Tire Mountain, McKinley Creek and Chalk Fires

Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024                              Fire Causes: Lightning

Email: 2024.willamettecomplex@firenet.gov                        Information Phone Line: 541-208-1742

Willamette Complex South:             Total Personnel: 538  |  Total Willamette Complex South Acres: 23,309

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-willamette-complex-fires-south

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillametteComplexFires/

Red Fire: Total Personnel: 58  |  Total Red Fire Acres: 1,751

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ordef-red-fire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2024RedFireOR/

Summary

As fire behavior moderates, firefighters focus on the backhaul of fire equipment no longer needed, mop up of existing firelines, and suppression repair. Traffic and heavy machinery on area roads is expected to increase. Minimal fire movement is anticipated in the coming days, but crews remain diligent in monitoring fire activity and responding to changes in conditions accordingly. 

Red Fire (1,758 acres, 0% containment)

Crews continue to evaluate the need for structure protection along Crescent Lake and will remove pumps and hoses as conditions warrant. The hauling and removal of slash near the southeast edge of the fire continues. Road repair work on Forest Service Road (FSR) 60 is completed.

208 Fire (8,912 acres, 0% containment)

Firefighters continue chipping and snagging operations to connect existing fireline around the fire. Containment percentages are expected to increase as crews build depth in their mop-up and reinforce existing lines along FSR 2149 near Pioneer Gulch.

Moss Mountain Fire (2,155 acres, 10% containment)

Crews continue work to construct fireline, using heavy equipment to remove combustible materials and impede the spread of fire. Chipping and mastication operations continue along FSR 23 near Groundhog Mountain to improve and clean up primary lines. Fire behavior within the existing fire perimeter remains minimal.

Chalk Fire (5,992 acres, 100% containment)

The Chalk Fire reached 100% containment yesterday afternoon. Crews continue to work with forest resource advisors on suppression repair plans. Hauling of slash and debris off the fireline by heavy equipment is ongoing.

Weather and Fire Behavior

Warmer, sunny conditions yesterday allowed for a slight uptick in fire behavior during the afternoon, but little to no growth was observed. Light rain fell across the fire area Saturday night and is forecasted to continue into Monday. The return of cloud cover and higher humidity will reduce already minimal fire behavior. Mostly creeping and smoldering fire behavior is anticipated. Additional precipitation is expected this week, with the extended forecast calling for a more typical fall weather pattern to continue with a strong storm system coming in on Tuesday.

Closures, Fire Restrictions, and Evacuations

• For closure information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/RedFireClosues2024 & https://tinyurl.com/WillFireClosures2024.
• For fire restrictions, visit: https://tinyurl.com/DesFireRestrictions2024 & https://tinyurl.com/WillFireRestrictions2024.
• For current Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR), visit: http://tfr.faa.gov.
• The Level 1 – BE READY to Evacuate notice remains in effect for the Red Fire. For more information or to sign up for alerts, visit: www.klamathcounty.org/300/emergency-management.