Single Publication

Special Note 

There will be a community meeting for the Willamette Complex North tomorrow—Tuesday, August 13th at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Sweet Home Fire Station located at 1099 Long Street, Sweet Home, OR. 

CURRENT SITUATION

The public may see or smell smoke within the proximity of the Ore Fire, due to a combination of tactical firing operations and weaker west winds across the area. 

Ore Fire

Blue River, 2,576 Acres, 20% Contained, 163 Total Personnel, Cause Under Investigation

Yesterday, crews and aircraft on the northwestern flank continued work near the Waterfall Creek drainage—creating a control line and conducting burnout operations to inhibit spread beyond the 1509 Road. Crews observed less fire behavior during overnight patrol. Today, crews on the northern flank will continue to evaluate opportunities for firing, conducting burnout operations where feasible.  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, 64% Contained, 292 Total Personnel, Lightning Caused

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

Weather & Fire Behavior

A large marine push will envelop the fire Monday and Tuesday, increasing humidity and decreasing temperatures, which may contribute to localized fog in the mornings.  Predicted maximum temperature is 72 to 76 °F in the valleys and 66 to 70 °F on the ridgetops. Predicted minimum relative humidity is 50 to 56% in the valleys and 58 to 64% 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.