Single Publication

Willamette Complex North Update Boulder Creek, Ore, Linton Creek, 374 and Pyramid Fires Fire Update for Friday, September 20 through Saturday, September 21, 2024 

Fire updates will now be provided for a two-day operational period, with additional information provided commensurate with fire activity on the webpages below. 

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: Crews are continuing to work along OR-126 to clear vegetation and debris between mileposts 13 and 19.5 (intersection with OR-242). The work is expected to be concluded Friday evening, at which point, both lanes of OR-126 will be open to through traffic. OR-242 remains closed to all traffic between the intersection with OR-126 and the Dee Wright Observatory (mileposts 55 to 75). For current road conditions, please check Oregon Department of Transportation’s website: https://www.tripcheck.com/. 

The firefighting crews appreciate your patience during these travel delays and are working to expedite the return to normal traffic patterns. 

A high-pressure system has lowered the humidity levels in the fire areas, impacting the combustibility of the fuels. Incremental temperature increases are forecasted over the next several days but as the days grow shorter, north aspect vegetation is becoming less available to burn. Winds are predicted to remain around 10 mph with daytime winds shifting from east to northwest. Continued warmer and drier conditions will lead to a slight increase in fire behavior but all fires should remain within established containment lines. An increase in visible smoke is possible during warmer daytime temperatures. 

Willamette National Forest Area Closures: For public and firefighter safety, fire-related closures remain in place on the McKenzie River Ranger District, as well as on the Middle Fork Ranger District. Please avoid closed areas of the forest. Source: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd552029.

Boulder Creek: 511 acres, 6% contained.

 Located 5 miles east of McKenzie Bridge. Crews continue to masticate and chip vegetative material removed from along the fire’s edge on OR-126. Firefighters gained some containment on Thursday, and continue to extinguish areas of heat interior of the containment lines. On the northwest side of the fire, fireline construction continues to prevent fire spread from the steep terrain within Boulder Creek. 

Ore: 3,475 acres, 77% contained. 

Located 7 miles northeast of Blue River. Crews continue mastication and chipping operations to remove fuels from the edge of the fire area. This fire will continue to be monitored for areas of heat and increased fire activity. Crews are beginning to repair non-essential firelines with tools and equipment. 

Pyramid: 1,312 Acres, 98% contained.

 East of Middle Santiam Wilderness. Firefighters are removing hose and water pumps, and continuing with chipping and mastication of fuels. Crews are shifting focus to suppression repair of non-primary control lines. 

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

 Located in the Three Sisters Wilderness. These fires are remaining within their footprints adjacent to natural barriers and a previous fire scar. While larger material is holding heat and continues to smolder, fire activity remains low. These fires are now in monitoring status.