Single Publication

Willamette Complex South Update

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

Date: Tuesday, October 1, 2024                         

Fire Causes: Lightning

Email: 2024.willamettecomplex@firenet.gov               

Information Phone Line: 541-225-6305

Total Personnel: 290    

Total Acres: 23,897

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

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

The Eastern Area Incident Management Team (IMT) 1 will transfer command of the fire today at 6:00 p.m to the Middle Fork Type 3 IMT. Daily updates will no longer be produced unless there is significant change. The new team will continue to post fire information on Facebook, Inciweb, and the Willamette National Forest website.

Summary 
The McKinley Creek and Tire Mountain fires remain at 100% containment.  The IMT continues to reassign or reduce personnel and equipment numbers to fit the current needs on each of the fires in the complex. Emphasis remains on patrolling, mop-up of any lingering heat adjacent to fire perimeters, post-suppression repair of firelines where needed, and returning forest roads to good condition. Five helicopters remain available today for reconnaissance flights and water drops as needed to cool down hot spots.

Chalk Fire (6,009 acres, 100% containment)

The Willamette National Forest has reduced the extent of the forest closure affecting the Chalk Fire and rescinded the closure order for Tire Mountain. For the latest closure information, refer to the Forest’s webpage (link below). Work continues today on repair and stabilization of a constructed fireline south of the fire. Ditch cleanout work has been completed on Forest Road 642. There was some active fire yesterday in the unburned pocket toward the west end of the fire, but it was well within the fire perimeter. 

Coffee Pot Fire (6,203 acres, 100% containment)

Priority work on this fire includes patrolling and monitoring the perimeter and repairing Forest Road 2129 and 2120 to the south. Ground crews have completed contingency fireline repair work. Fire activity has been minimal in recent days. 

208 Fire (9,413 acres, 4% containment) 
Some hot spots and active fire areas on the west flank of the fire remain a concern. Helicopters were used yesterday to keep these problem areas in check. Firefighters continue to enhance contingency firelines to the west of the fire beyond the Sierra Pacific Industries timberlands. Helicopters will be available again today for any needed water drops.

Moss Mountain Fire (2,225 acres, 10% containment) 
A hand crew will work on repairing a constructed fireline east of the fire. Monitoring areas of heat, especially on the north side of the fire, continues today. Work along Forest Road 23 North and South is nearing completion. Mop-up continues adjacent to Forest Road 2149. Fuel treatments surrounding the critical Wolf Mountain Communications Site are completed to assist in protection of the infrastructure.

Weather and Fire Behavior 
Low relative humidity (Rh) continues today, with the Rh percentage expected to drop to the upper teens. Active fire behavior may resume before noon in places, with potential for some torching and short-range spotting this afternoon. Overnight, Rh will not recover much, and will remain fairly low into Wednesday. However, winds and expected high temperatures will not be in critical ranges, so fire behavior may abate on Wednesday compared to the prior two days.

Closures, Fire Restrictions, and Evacuations 

• For closure and restriction information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices