Single Publication

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  

Fire Information Line: 541-208-1742 

Tuesday, September 3, 2024 

Total Willamette Complex South Personnel: 669 

Total Willamette Complex South Acres: 13,580 

Resources (Includes Pyramid Fire Resources): 2 Type 1 Hotshot crew, 8 Type 2 crews, 3 Type 2 initial attack crews, 3 helicopters, 20 engines, 6 dozers, 155 heavy equipment (masticators, skid steers, feller bunchers, etc.)  

Fire Cause: Lightning   

Summary  

Yesterday brought lower temperatures and higher humidity in the morning hours. Heavy fuels remain hot and may ignite fuels nearby as drying increases.  Moderate fire behavior is likely under current conditions, including flare-ups and isolated torching. The primary fire behavior characteristics within the four fires is creeping and smoldering. Fire activity is limited to large woody fuel.  Warm, dry weather may produce surface fire on interior portions of the fire. Infrared night flights showed widely scattered heat well into the interior of the fire.    

Chalk Fire (5,788 acres, 66% containment)  

Firefighters continue to patrol the north, east, and south sides. Significant progress towards containment has been made on the north and west edges as firefighters continue to improve and deepen control lines. Helicopters are being utilized for reconnaissance and bucket drops on the fire if needed. 

Moss Mountain Fire (923 acres, 0% containment)  

Work will continue on the indirect lines to the north and contingency lines to the south. Due to increased fire behavior, there was growth in the NE perimeter (24 acres). Hotshot crews and Type 1 helicopters are invaluable due to steep terrain, heavy timber and significant rollout. Crews and heavy equipment continue to work along the Forest Service Road 2120 in order to limit growth on the fire.  

208 Fire (602 acres, 0% containment)  

The 208 Fire experienced an increase in size due to lower fuel moisture, aspect and slope alignment.  The fire spread was mostly in the Diamond Peaks Wilderness, but the southwest side of the boundary grew by 300 acres yesterday. The most intense heat was in the south and southwest Fire size grew by 300 acres yesterday, with the most intense heat showing in the south and southwest portions of the fire. Crews will work to keep fire to the east of the 2160 road. 

217 Fire (38 acres, 100% contained), Tire Mountain Fire (23 acres, 100% contained), McKinley Creek Fire (24 acres, 100% contained), Coffeepot Fire (6,182 acres, 100% contained) 

These fires remain in monitor/patrol status. Mop-up continues on the Coffeepot Fire, as scattered hot spots remain. Helicopters may drop water on hot spots as necessary to keep these fires in check.  

Weather and Fire Behavior  

Slightly warmer and drier conditions are expected Tuesday as Monday’s storm system lifts to the east of the fires. By midweek hot conditions may return with lower relative humidity values, affecting fuel moistures. 

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.