Single Publication

Willamette Complex South Update 

Chalk, Coffeepot, McKinley, Moss Mountain, Tire Mountain, 208, and 217 Fires 

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

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

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

Sunday, September 8, 2024 Fire Cause: Lightning 

Total Willamette Complex South Personnel: 653 

Total Willamette Complex South Acres: 21,858 

Resources: 3 Type 1 Hotshot crews, 5 Type 2 crews, 2 Type 2 initial attack crews, 3 helicopters, 24 engines, 4 dozers, 83 heavy equipment (masticators, skid steers, feller bunchers, etc.)

Summary

Resources provided support to the local unit on several developing incidents yesterday. A community meeting held in the evening included the following speakers: the incident commander, the fire behavior analyst, the incident meteorologist, fire operations, agency administrators, a local fire management officer and the mayor of Oakridge. The meeting recording is available on the fire’s Facebook page listed above. Today’s focus continues to be on providing initial attack support on new starts and bolstering fire line.

Chalk Fire (5,945 acres, 86% containment)

Firefighters will continue with previous day’s actions including monitoring and improving containment lines and completing control lines to the west along Forest Service Road (FSR) 1912. Similarly, monitoring of the unburned island of fuel on the northwest side of the fire continues to show declining fire activity.

Moss Mountain Fire (1,830 acres, 9% containment)

Progress continues on indirect lines to the north, west and a contingency line to the south. Crews and equipment are continuing to hold FSR 2120 to prevent fire spread south onto private timber lands. Anticipated observable fire behavior for today includes backing and flanking. Work is ongoing to secure the spot to the south of FSR 2120 into the main body of the fire. Additional indirect line construction along FSR 2120 and FSR 23 is also being prepped in anticipation of future fire spread.

208 Fire (7,849 acres, 0% containment)

Development and implementation of new primary and secondary indirect line options continue after elevated fire activity compromised previously identified lines. Fire activity continues to move towards FSR 23 to the northwest and FSR 21 ad FSR 215 to the south. Crews are strengthening these roads alongside the private timber landowners to connect line from FSR 23 to FSR 423. Felled and decked material from a nearby timber sales to the west of the fire have been protected.

Coffeepot Fire (6,187 acres, 100% contained)

McKinley Creek Fire (24 acres, 100% contained)

Tire Mountain Fire (23 acres, 100% contained)

Firefighters continue to monitor for threats to the line to maintain containment. With mop-up further along and showing reduced consumption, equipment and supplies used during suppression are being recovered from the fire area. Additionally, resource advisors are beginning to identify areas in need of repair work.

Weather and Fire Behavior

The high-pressure system and associated critical fire weather slowly left the area yesterday. Cloud cover continued which help to improve relative humidity in the area. Rain is forecasted for the area mid-week which will continue to moderate fire behavior. Expected highs for the day are in the 80s for lower and 70s higher elevations.

The Community Meeting recording is available right here on Facebook as well as on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/7gqAGci8cwQ?si=uUj5aBxItCnZ3F3n
Smoke Information
For local air quality information and actions to take, visit: https://fire.airnow.gov.

Closures and Fire Restrictions
For specific closure information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/WillFireClosures2024. 
For current fire restrictions, visit: https://tinyurl.com/WillFireRestrictions2024

For current Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR), visit: http://tfr.faa.gov. Wildfires are no-fly areas for unauthorized aircraft, such as drones. For more details, visit: http://knowbeforeyoufly.org/.
 

Closures and Fire Restrictions 

• For specific closure information, visit tinyurl.com/WillFireClosures2024 
• For current fire restrictions, visit tinyurl.com/WillFireRestrictions2024 
• Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): tfr.faa.gov for up-to-date areas. Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. For more information, visit knowbeforeyoufly.org.