Single Publication

Willamette Complex North Update

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

Date: Thursday, September 19, 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: Hunting season is here! During this hunting season, we would like to wish you the best of luck bagging that big buck or upland bird. All visitors to the Willamette National Forest are reminded that forest closures are still in effect for public and firefighter safety. For more information, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/willamette.  Today is going to bring warmer, drier weather with highs around 80 and little cloud cover. Fuels may begin to dry but fire behavior is expected to remain slow with smoldering and creeping. Smoke will remain visible on warmer days.

Boulder Creek: 511 acres, 0% contained 
Located 5 miles east of McKenzie Bridge. The Boulder Creek Fire continues to be the number one priority on the complex. Firefighters continue to complete a line around the fire. They are locating and mopping up hotspots over 100 feet interior from the line on the flanks of the fire. Crews are still removing fuels and mitigating hazards along Highway 126. In cooperation with ODOT, fire managers are estimating a full reopening in the next several days. Highway 242 remains closed to the public and alternate routes are available.

Ore: 3,475 acres, 76% contained 
Located 7 miles northeast of Blue River. Firefighters are focusing efforts on the northwest area they are calling “the donut”. Within “the donut” there remains some unburned fuels and small pockets of fire. Team members are using suppression tactics in this area.  On the other sections of the fire, crews have begun suppression repair. They are installing water bars to prevent heavy rain from displacing debris and soil and removing equipment that is no longer needed. 

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

Located in the Three Sisters Wilderness.  These fires are exhibiting similar behaviors with small amounts of smoke and limited heat on the interior of the fire. The Linton Fire has had some containment lines put in and being held with natural barriers such as rock out cropping and old fires. The 374 Fire has good secondary lines and the fire is being held in place. Taking safety into consideration, smoke jumpers and fire crews are being pulled out of the fires. Both fires are being patrolled by air with the option to reinsert firefighters if the need arises.

Pyramid: 1,311 Acres, 98% contained 

East of Middle Santiam Wilderness. Firefighters are finalizing the containment work. Crews continue chipping, mastication, fuel removal and patrolling the lines.

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/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd552029. 

September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness month - Statistically, there is a chance someone you know is suffering from suicidal thoughts or has had them in the past.  Suicide is a mental health crisis that affects us all. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please seek professional help or call the Suicide and Mental Crisis Lifeline at 988.