Single Publication

Willamette Complex South & Red Fire Update

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

Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024                            Fire Causes: Lightning

Email: 2024.willamettecomplex@firenet.gov                        Information Phone Line: 541-208-1742

Willamette Complex South:             Total Personnel: 519  |  Total Willamette Complex South Acres: 23,309

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

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

Red Fire: Total Personnel: 26  |  Total Red Fire Acres: 1,763

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

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

Summary

Fire behavior remains minimal across the area. The predominant observable behavior is creeping and smoldering. However, in areas with sun exposure, open, backing flames could persist. Across the multiple fires, work continues on indirect firelines and the repair of resources impacted during suppression efforts.

For fires without full containment, the growth is primarily within the existing footprints. Crews are reinforcing indirect firelines to protect priority resources if fire behavior increases. When using indirect line for suppression, achievement of full containment may only occur in areas where fire reaches the indirect lines or where firing operations off the indirect lines connect to the fire’s perimeter. Because growth remains unlikely, there are no planned firing operations to fill unburned sections between the fireline and the fire perimeter. These fires will creep and smolder until a substantial precipitation event occurs in the area. Firefighters continue to monitor for changes in fire behavior and take appropriate action to minimize acres burned.

The Chalk Fire, Coffee Pot Fire, McKinley Creek Fire, and Tire Mountain Fire are all 100% contained and in patrol and repair status. Firefighters, in collaboration with resource specialists such as archeologists, fish biologists, and hydrologists, are assessing damage from fire suppression efforts to determine necessary repair work. Repair work includes clearing culverts of debris, resurfacing roads, and chipping and hauling material removed during fireline construction. Miles of roads and numerous repair points have been identified. As crews complete the following work, they will continue to prioritize next step repair items alongside resource advisors.

Red Fire (1,763 acres, 0% containment)

Work to haul and remove slash from Forest Service Road (FSR) 1610 is anticipated to take approximately one more week. Road repair efforts in this area are ongoing. Structure protection, portable tanks, hoses, and pumps will remain in place while fire conditions further moderate.

208 Fire (8,912 acres, 4% containment)

Falling of hazard trees was completed yesterday on FSR 21 and is likely to wrap up on along FSR 2149 in one to two more days. Material chipping will continue for five days on FSR 21 from Emigrant Creek to Emigrant Butte.

Moss Mountain Fire (2,155 acres, 10% containment)

Chipping, mastication, and removal of combustible materials is nearly complete along FSR 23. Crews are progressing south near FSR 2316 and plan to tie into existing fireline to the south along FSR 23 from the 208 Fire.

Weather and Fire Behavior

Yesterday, conditions were mostly cloudy with temperatures in the 60s. Relative humidity remained high and there was a mild, northwestern wind with maximum gusts of 10 mph. Today, a low-pressure system will move into the area with low clouds. The high temperature will be in the 50s and there is a 60 percent chance of rain in the evening. This system, and the moisture it brings, will help to further decrease fire activity.

Closures, Fire Restrictions, and Evacuations

• For closure information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/RedFireClosues2024 & 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.