Single Publication

SPECIAL NOTE: Due to the unprecedented amount of fire activity, California Incident Management Team 5 will also take command of the Slate Fire on the Detroit Ranger District.  

PYRAMID FIRE Location: East of Middle Santiam Wilderness, 615 acres, 0 percent contained, Total Personnel: 253 (both fires) 

Yesterday, dozers, masticators, heavy equipment, and hand crews worked diligently to open existing roads and clear vegetation to establish a good control line around the fire. In the afternoon, west winds increased fire activity and caused a 3–5-acre spot fire on the southeast flank. Fire crews quickly surrounded the new spot and, using hose and pumps, worked to extinguish it. Today, crews on the east and west flanks will continue working to complete the control line around the fire’s perimeter.  

SLATE FIRE Location: South of Detroit Reservoir, 50 acres, 0 percent contained 

The Slate Fire is burning in steep, inaccessible terrain in a dense forested area. Yesterday, helicopters and water-scooping planes were used to slow the fire’s spread. Today, fire crews will continue to aggressively fight the fire using dozers and equipment to establish control lines around the fire area. Water-scooping planes and helicopters will be available to assist if needed.  

WEATHER: A stronger marine push will bring cooler temperatures and higher humidity. Low clouds will bank up along the west slopes of the mountains this morning and gradually burn off throughout the day. 

ROADS: Please be mindful of firefighting equipment when driving in the area. Refer to the emergency closure order for forest roads affected by the Pyramid Fire. For information about all other roads, visit the Oregon Department of Transportation website at https://tripcheck.com   

EVACUATIONS: On July 17th, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Forest, issued a level 3: Go Now Evacuation Alert for the closure area affected. No residential structures are threatened. The LEVEL 3: GO NOW! Evacuation Alert is primarily impacting forest and recreation areas.  Please refer to the Linn County Fire Map https://tinyurl.com/LinnCoFireMap for full details of the issued evacuation area (which will appear in red). Follow the Linn County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LinnSheriff   

CLOSURES AND FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Area, road, recreation sites, and trail (including the PCT) closures are in place in the Willamette National Forest near the fires.  For specific information, follow this link:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd552029. Effective July 17, 2024, fire restrictions apply to all lands within the Willamette National Forest, including the Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, Waldo Lake, and Diamond Peak Wilderness areas. Read the complete restrictions at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=81487