Single Publication

Willamette Complex South & Red Fire Update

Red, 208, Moss Mountain, Coffee Pot, Tire Mountain, McKinley Creek and Chalk Fires

Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024                              

Fire Causes: Lightning

Email: 2024.willamettecomplex@firenet.gov               

Information Phone Line: 541-208-1742

Willamette Complex South:   Total Personnel: 436 |  Total Willamette Complex South Acres: 23,389

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillametteComplexFires/

Red Fire: Total Personnel: 50  |  Total Red Fire Acres: 1,769

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ordef-red-fire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2024RedFireOR/

Summary 

Fire growth continues to be minimal and remains within the established perimeters. While yesterday’s passing cool front helped keep things in check, the warmer, drier air trending into the days ahead may affect fire behavior and necessitate close monitoring into next week. The accumulating conifer needle-drop may fuel smoldering fires, and night-time “recovery” may moderate. Crews continue working to firm up indirect control lines and repair resources in places impacted by suppression operations.

The Chalk Fire, Coffee Pot Fire, McKinley Creek Fire, and Tire Mountain Fire retain their status as 100% contained and are in monitor-and-patrol phase. Crews are chipping, clearing brush and fireline construction materials, and repairing roads impacted by fire suppression activities. Tasks are prioritized under the advisement of resource specialists to ensure repairs and restoration are effective, scientifically sound, and protect sensitive terrain and vegetation as much as possible. Members of the public are asked to continue respecting area closures and restrictions.

Red Fire (1,769 acres, 11% containment) 

The Red Fire is now 11% contained, a marked improvement, but there is the potential for fire behavior to change.  Hauling and removal of slash from Forest Service Road (FSR) 6010 from Summit Lake to the southwestern corner of Crescent Lake remains a priority. Road repairs and clean-up of the shaded fuel break from Whitefish Horse Camp to Crescent Lake Sno-Park continue. Structure protection measures including portable tanks, hoses, and pumps will remain in place, given the warmer, drier weather in the most recent forecast. Fire growth remains minimal, moderately paced, and concentrated on the southeast perimeter of the fire.

208 Fire (8,969 acres, 4% containment) 

Crews observed spotty smoke near the northwest corner and will continue improving holding lines from Lighthouse Rock to Summit Lake. Road repair and material chipping operations are ongoing from Campers Flat to Emigrant Butte along FSR 21. Expect heavy equipment traffic in the area.

Moss Mountain Fire (2,174 acres, 10% containment) 

Slash and excess vegetation removal along primary lines northeast of Groundhog Mountain is nearing completion. Crews are making progress south of Beach Mountain near FSR 2316 and expect to connect to the existing fire-line along FSR 23 from the 208 Fire. Crews are identifying critical values at risk near the top of the mountain.

Weather and Fire Behavior 

A weak cold front moved through yesterday, briefly increasing the relative humidity by 5-10%, but the expected warming trend that will usher in higher temperatures will also bring a reduction in humidity levels until another front arrives mid- to late-week.  Temperatures will return to seasonal averages, with lows in the 40s and highs in the mid-60s but may spike next Tuesday or Wednesday. Expect light northwest winds and drop minimum relative humidity levels to 20 – 30%.  Heavy fuels have been burning out but smoldering and creeping continue. 

Closures, Fire Restrictions, and Evacuations 

• For closure information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/RedFireClosures2024 & https://tinyurl.com/WillFireClosures2024. 
• For fire restrictions, visit: https://tinyurl.com/DesFireRestrictions2024 & https://tinyurl.com/WillFireRestrictions2024. 
• The Level 1 – BE READY to Evacuate notice remains in effect for the Red Fire. For more information or to sign up for alerts, visit: www.klamathcounty.org/300/emergency-management.