Single Publication

Homestead Complex Fire Update for Wednesday, September 4, 2024 

Start Date: July 19, 2024 | Location: 15 miles Northeast of Glide | Total Number of Fires: 7 | Total Personnel: 553 | Total Fire Acreage: 5,918 | Cause: Lightning | Overall Complex Containment: 60% 

Fire Operations Summary: The predicted hotter and drier weather the next few days may bring with it opportunities to conduct planned tactical burnout operations on the north flank of the Horse Heaven Fire. Firefighters have been strengthening control lines as part of a larger strategic plan that includes being ready to conduct firing operations. Burnout operations strengthen control lines by removing unburned fuel in a way that allows better control over the intensity of the fire which then reduces the risk of the fire crossing control lines.  A successful burnout operation will most likely produce more visible smoke in the area than has been the case recently. The burnout operations are planned to start Thursday (tomorrow) and continue over multiple days this week. The source of smoke/haze that is visible today is from recent fire starts out of eastern Oregon. 

Across the fire complex of seven fires, firefighters are working to complete and secure all remaining primary and secondary (contingency) control lines. This work includes using crews and heavy equipment to chip and haul away forest fuels near control lines. Patrol and mop-up operations continue, and suppression repair groups are working to minimize the fire impacts to resources, lands, and facilities resulting from firefighting operations. Firefighters are prepared to do initial attack on any new fire starts within the delegated fire operations area and to support local fire resources.  

Three of the seven fires on the complex have now reached 100% containment, the Salmon 33 Fire (275 ac.) on August 24, 2024, the Reynolds Butte Fire (334 ac.) on August 22, 2024, and the Lost Bucket Fire (34 ac.) on July 29, 2024. On the No Man Fire (2,072 ac., containment: 28%), crews are patrolling and mopping-up. Chipping operations are continuing. On the Horse Heaven Creek Fire (2,304 ac., containment: 64%), crews will continue improving control lines in preparation for possible burnout operations. On the Bullpup (473 ac., containment: 17%) and Fuller Lake fires (426 ac., containment: 5%) work to reinforce control lines on the 300 and 200 roads is nearing completion. Suppression repair work will continue on the Reynolds Butte and Lost Bucket fires. 

Weather: Hot and dry conditions can be expected. Temperatures will climb into the 90s. Winds will be light. 

Closures and Fire Restrictions: 

There is one large closure impacting the Cottage Grove, North Umpqua, and Diamond Lake districts. Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-24-07: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices/?aid=88996. On August 30, 2024, the Umpqua National Forest decreased Public Use Restrictions (PURs) to Level 2, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umpqua/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1202470. For more information on PURs, IFPLs, or other fire management information, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/umpqua/fire 

The closure order issued by Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Roseburg District, for portions of BLM land which border the Umpqua National Forest Emergency Fire Closure north of Steamboat remains in effect: https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2024-07/orwa-fpo-rbg-072624.pdf  

There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the Homestead Complex Fire. Please remember, if you fly we can’t! If a drone or other aircraft enters the air space, all firefighting aviation equipment will be grounded. 

Fire Information Line: 541-208-7100 (Staffed 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) 
Email: 2024.homesteadcomplex@firenet.gov Smoke Outlook: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/d393fd74 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HomesteadComplexFireInfo/ 
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orupf-homestead-complex