Single Publication

Willamette Complex North

Ore & Pyramid Fires- incident Update

Date:  Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Special Note 

Tonight’s community meeting for the Willamette Complex North will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Sweet Home Fire Station, located at 1099 Long Street, Sweet Home, OR.  The Community Meeting will be livestreamed on YouTube and recorded. 

CURRENT SITUATION

The Ore and Pyramid Fires continue to be managed for full suppression. As fire crews time out and travel home for much-needed rest and recovery, replacement crews are being ordered and continue to arrive.

Ore Fire

Blue River, 2,700 Acres, 15% Contained, 161 Total Personnel, Cause Under Investigation

Yesterday’s weather slowed planned firing operations, allowing crews the opportunity to patrol and reinforce existing fire lines. Crews observed minimal fire behavior and growth during overnight patrol. Today, crews on the northern flank will continue to evaluate firing opportunities, conducting burnout operations where weather conditions and fire behavior permit.  Crews and heavy equipment on the western and eastern flanks will continue to prepare indirect fire line, patrol the perimeter, secure threats to the line by removing trees, snags and other fuels, and suppress any flare-ups or hot spots.  

Pyramid Fire

East of Middle Santiam Wilderness, 1,324 Acres, 72% Contained, 300 Total Personnel, Lightning Caused

The established fire perimeter continues to hold, with pockets of intense and scattered heat across the fire. Today, crews will continue reinforcing and improving line, by mopping up and extinguishing hot spots. 

Weather & FIre Behavior

A deep marine layer will continue to influence the fire, starting the day unusually cloudy and moist, with a low possibility of isolated drizzle.  Predicted maximum temperature is 70 to 74 °F in the valleys and 66 to 70 °F on the ridgetops. Predicted minimum relative humidity is 46 to 52% in the valleys and 50 to 56% on the ridgetops. Even as weather moderates, heavy fuels continue to hold heat.  Smoke and air quality conditions are available on: AirNow.gov 

Evacuations, Closures & Fire Restrictions

On July 17th, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Willamette National Forest, issued a Level 3: Go Now Evacuation Alert for the closure area affected. Please refer to the Linn County Fire Map tinyurl.com/LinnCoFireMap for full details of the issued evacuation area (which will appear in red). To sign up for evacuation alerts, visit linnsheriff.org/. 

Area, road, trail, and recreation site closures are in effect in the Willamette National Forest. 

Specific information is posted at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=61574. 

Fire restrictions are in effect for Willamette National Forest. Read the complete restrictions at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=81487. 

Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t. 

For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.