Single Publication

Willamette Complex South & Red Fire Update

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

Date: Thursday, September 26, 2024                              

Fire Causes: Lightning

Email: 2024.willamettecomplex@firenet.gov                

Information Phone Line: 541-208-1742

Willamette Complex South: Total Personnel:495| Total Willamette Complex South Acres: 23,480

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

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

Red Fire: Total Personnel: 77 | Total Red Fire Acres: 1,916

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

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

Summary

Personnel and equipment have shifted around the complex recently as conditions have continued to change. Over the last two days, firefighters focused on monitoring and suppression efforts, given the warmer, drier weather. The cold front that passed through the region yesterday brought cooler, moister weather, including light afternoon showers over much of the region. With that change, primary efforts have reverted to repairing forest roads and finalizing removal of woody debris from indirect firelines. Monitoring, road rehabilitation, and suppression repair continue on the Chalk, Coffee Pot, McKinley Creek and Tire Mountain fires, all still 100% contained. Road repair crews throughout the complex are emphasizing ditch and culvert clearing prior to final grading of the road surfaces. Some workers assigned to the Chalk and Coffee Pot fires may shift to the Roads Group for more efficient use of personnel. Overall, the Incident Management Team has focused recently on decreasing staff numbers to “right-size” operations.

Red Fire (1,916 acres, 11% containment)

Fire acreage grew 85 acres in the past two days because of warmer, drier weather. Firefighters anticipated this growth as the fire continues to slowly move down-slope toward Crescent Lake. Monitoring of fire activity remains a priority, particularly in the Whitefish Creek drainage and along Forest Service Road 60. A drone will aid in monitoring fire activity today.

208 Fire (9,045 acres, 4% containment)

Chipping operations continue on indirect lines surrounding the fire as crews near completion of this work. Firefighters continue frequent monitoring of the recently active northwest corner of the fire in the Swift Creek area. 

Moss Mountain Fire (2,186 acres, 10% containment)

Fuel reduction around the Wolf Mountain Communications site paused yesterday because of stormy weather, and firefighters shifted to road repair work in safer locations. With milder weather expected, they will resume work around the communications infrastructure for the next few days. Road repair crews will soon put the finishing touches on the 23 Road. A drone may assist with monitoring of fire activity today.

 Weather and Fire Behavior

Precipitation yesterday was more widespread than anticipated, but the most rain recorded on the complex amounted to only two-tenths of an inch. With the passage of the front, milder fall-like conditions resume. Clouds will linger this morning with a 5% chance of additional precipitation. High pressure settling in today should usher in clear skies with highs in the upper 60s to low 70s and lower relative humidity.

Closures, Fire Restrictions, and Evacuation

• 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.