Single Publication

Marcel Potvin, Incident Commander 

Start date: Sept. 30, 2024

Location: Detroit Ranger District, Willamette National Forest

Cause: Undetermined

Fire size: 200 acres

Full Suppression

Personnel: 161

Bingham Fire Update for Friday, October 4, 2024

Yesterday, firefighters continued to create direct primary line around the Bingham Fire, with air resources dropping water and retardant to slow the rate of spread. The fire area is in and near the 2014 Bingham Complex fire scar, in addition to older scars. This presents challenges for ground resources, as standing burned snags and overhead hazards must be addressed before line can be constructed to keep firefighters safe. 

The red flag warning issued yesterday for the area surrounding the Bingham Fire indicated elevated risks for firefighters due to increased wind and lower relative humidity. These conditions can sometimes lead to more active fire behavior. Yesterday’s successful helicopter bucket work was critical to knock down hot spots as the east winds picked up in the morning. A reconnaissance flight in the late afternoon showed minimal fire growth and light, drifting smoke. 

A structure protection division was created to assess and perform protection measures for each building in the Marion Forks area, including the private residences, summer cabins, fish hatchery, and historic buildings at Independence Prairie Ranger Station and Marion Forks Guard Station. Crews worked to improve defensible space and determined the amount of hose, pumps, and water tanks that would be needed to protect those buildings if the fire moves east and downhill of the ridgeline. Fire officials are working with heavy equipment operators to identify and scout possible contingency lines.  

WEATHER:  Light easterly winds will continue through midday Friday. This afternoon, westerly winds will bring rain with the potential for up to 0.25 inches of precipitation, and temperatures holding in the low 50s. The weekend forecast indicates warmer and drier conditions, and the return of light easterly winds. 

SAFETY: Members of the public are encouraged to heed local evacuation orders issued by the county sheriff’s office and emergency notification systems. Know the Ready, Set, Go levels and make appropriate preparations. READY your belongings; SET your things at the door or prepack them in your car; GO and leave immediately.

CLOSURES: LEVEL 3: GO NOW! Evacuation Alerts have been issued by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office for a large area of the Mount Jefferson Wilderness. Additionally, LEVEL 2: GET SET Evacuation Alerts have been issued for the area around Marion Forks Campground, and Marion Forks Fish Hatchery. The Level 2 evacuation area also extends along Highway 22, to ½-mile west of Highway 22, from Pamelia Road (NFS Road 2246) south to Parrish Lake Road (NFS Road 2266). Please refer to the Linn County Wildfire Map for more information: https://tinyurl.com/LinnCoFireMap. Highway 22 and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) remain open at this time. 

Linn County Resources

Fire Evacuation & Status Live Updates: https://www.linnsheriff.org/wildfire_live_updates/

Wildfire Preparedness & Resources: https://www.linnsheriff.org/wildfire-recovery/

Willamette NF Resources

Detroit Ranger District Front Desk: 503-854-3366

https://www.facebook.com/willamettenf

https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/willamette/

Bingham Fire Information

Email: 2024.bingham@firenet.gov

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-bingham-fire