Single Publication

Ore Fire Update
Friday, July 26, 2024 – 9:00 a.m.

Size: 1223 acres | Reported Date: July 16, 2024 | Cause: Under Investigation | Containment: 3%
Total Assigned Personnel: 304 | 8 engines | 5 hand crews | 3 dozers | 20 water tenders | 4 masticators | 4 feller bunchers

(Blue River, Ore.) – Fire suppression efforts continue on the Ore Fire, which is burning 7 miles northeast of Blue River, Oregon. Challenges include steep and rugged terrain, rolling rocks and debris and fire-weakened trees. Firefighter and public safety remain the number one priority on the incident. Fire managers are focusing on activities with a high probability of success while minimizing risk to firefighters and protecting values such as communities, infrastructure and forest, recreation and cultural resources. To the north, fire managers are continuing to evaluate placement of control lines to further reduce the amount of landscape that will be affected by the fire. Despite increased fire activity and growth in the southern portion, crews are containing the fire along roadways to protect critical values.

Yesterday, the line was tested by the burning debris and logs rolling onto FS 1509 Road near Ore Creek. Heavy equipment operators cleared these roadways, allowing crews to quickly resume their work. Firefighters installed pumps, hose lays and sprinklers to pre-treat the unburned side of the road, raising the overall humidity and resulting in fuels being less receptive to fire.

Today, firefighters are extending plumbing along FS 1509 Road northwest of Ore Creek. Dozers arebeing utilized to connect the FS 15 Road to the FS 501 Road. Vegetation removal will begin north of the fire on FS Road 1513, and crews will chip the woody debris into finer, more manageable material, returning it to the forest floor.

The H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest near Blue River is one of the significant values at risk identified by the Willamette National Forest. This area holds important cultural and scientific value, as it has been the site of long-term research on climate, streamflow, water quality, vegetation succession, biogeochemical cycling, and the effects of forest management for almost 70 years. Firefighters are holding the fire north of FS 15 Road to protect this forest, its timeless resources and other values at risk from the Ore Fire. To learn more, visit the Ore Fire Facebook page: www.facebook.com/orefireinformation2024. 

Weather: A northerly flow will bring warmer and drier conditions this afternoon with light, terrain-driven winds. Temperatures will be near normal. A passing cold front Monday into Tuesday will bring a chance of rain.

Safety: While the Ore Fire is not threatening homes, wildfire season is just beginning. Sign-up now to receive critical alerts about wildfires and other emergencies at https://www.lanecounty.org/sign_up_for_notifications. Fire restrictions are in place within the Willamette National Forest. For more information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/willamette/fire. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Unstaffed Aerial Systems (UAS or drones) are also prohibited within the TFR. If you fly, we can’t.

Smoke: Smoke from numerous wildfires burning throughout the region will affect air quality in many areas over the coming days. A daily smoke outlook can be found at https://wildlandfiresmoke.net.  Being prepared for smoke is important to everyone’s health. For more information, go to: www.airnow.gov/wildfires/be-smoke-ready.org/ 

Forest Closures: Closures in the Willamette National Forest have been established around fire-impacted areas. These closures include the following sites: Buck Mountain Trail, Tidbits South and West Trail, Gold Hill Trail, Mona Campground, Lookout Campground, and Saddle Dam Boat Launch. For a complete list of recreation and roads in the Ore Fire closure order, visit  https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices.