Single Publication

Willamette Complex North Update

Boulder Creek, Ore, Linton Creek, 374 and Pyramid Fires 

Date: Tuesday, September 18, 2024 

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

Willamette Complex North 

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565845313387 

Email: 2024.WillametteComplex.North@firenet.gov Information line: 541-208-1262 Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Overview: The weather has been in our favor. Today we expect partially clouded skies with highs in the mid 60’s. The wind is coming out of the northeast this morning and shifting to the northwest later in the day. According to the incident meteorologist, we can expect these more seasonal conditions for the next five days. With the rain we have received, fire behavior has been very benign. The latest thermal mapping shows that acreage has not changed on any of the fires within the complex. 

Boulder Creek Fire Evacuation Notices EVACUATION LEVEL 1:

South of Highway 126 from milepost 53.5 east to Scott Creek Road and Horse Creek Road east of Foley Springs, Foley Springs, Forest Service Road #302, Belknap Springs Road South, Camp Yale Road, Yale Lane, North of Highway 126 East from the east end of Drury Lane to the end of North Belknap Springs Road. Evacuation Notice Source: www.LaneCountyOR.gov 

Boulder Creek: 511 acres, 0% contained

 Located 5 miles east of McKenzie Bridge. For this fire, firefighters are focusing significant efforts on Highway 126. A chipper and trucks are lined up to remove fire weakened trees and fuel to fully reopen Highway 126 in the near future. The area near Boulder Creek is too challenging for firefighters to construct firelines close to the fire’s edge. Crews are creating a “catcher’s mitt” of containment lines in safer, more accessible terrain to stop fire progression if it moves out of the rugged area. 

Ore: 3,475 acres, 76% contained

 Located 7 miles northeast of Blue River. Firefighters are working to improve primary and secondary firelines. Crews are also locating and extinguishing areas of residual heat and removing fuel through mastication, chipping and hauling. 

374: 58 acres, 0% contained and Linton Creek: 1,301 acres, 0% contained 

Located in the Three Sisters Wilderness. There is still residual heat in the deep duff layer on these fires. Both fires have natural barriers adjacent to them such as rocky areas and old fire scars. Firefighters have done significant work improving local trails in order to serve as firelines. Taking into account this work, the natural barriers and the current and expected fire behavior, fire managers feel it is safer to remove equipment and firefighters on Thursday. These fires will still be monitored, especially if weather becomes more conducive to fire growth. 

Pyramid: 1,311 Acres, 98% contained East of Middle Santiam Wilderness. 

Crews are improving containment lines and working to reduce burnable fuels through mechanized mastication and chipping. Crews will begin rehabilitation work on the roads in the area using graders and other equipment. Road Closures: OR 126 is open to one-lane traffic between mileposts 13 and 19.5 (intersection with OR 242). OR 242 remains closed to all traffic between the intersection with OR 126 and the Dee Wright Observatory (mileposts 55 to 75), due to the Linton Creek Fire. Use an alternate route; do not divert onto forest roads to avoid closures. Check for updates at: https://tripcheck.com/ 

Willamette National Forest Area Closures: 

Due to fire activity in the McKenzie River Ranger District, the Linton Creek Fire closure area includes Boulder Creek, 374, Roundtop, as well as other fires on the Middle Fork Ranger District including Young Grasshopper and Lowell Creek fires. Source: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/alertsnotices/?cid=fseprd552029.