Single Publication

Willamette Complex South & Red Fire Update

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

Date: Wednesday, September 25, 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: 23,444

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

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

Red Fire: Total Personnel: 50 | Total Red Fire Acres: 1,831

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

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

Summary

Monday’s overnight winds of 10 mph created warmer, dryer conditions which reduced fuel moistures within the perimeters of the fires. Tuesday, firefighters prepared to suppress fire activity due to unseasonably high temperatures. Fortunately, there was minimal increase in fire intensity. Low to moderate fire behavior is predicted for today. Smoldering, creeping and small flareups are expected. Crews continue working to firm up indirect control lines and repair resources in places impacted by suppression operations. The Chalk, Coffee Pot, McKinley Creek, and Tire Mountain fires retain their status as 100% contained and are in monitor-and-patrol phase. Crews still work the Coffee Pot, 208 and Red fires to clean ditches, repair roads and tighten up control lines. Members of the public are asked to continue respecting area closures and restrictions.

Red Fire (1,831 acres, 11% containment)

Air support in the form of two “Fire Boss” scoopers dumped 80,000 gallons of water to cool down hot spots yesterday. Currently, the fire is slowly creeping down the slope.

208 Fire (9,013acres, 4% containment)

The 208 Fire continues to move towards the 23 Road on the NW and the 21/2154 roads on the South. Crews are continuing to strengthen those lines along the 23 road to the 423 road and eventually tie in with the existing lines for the Moss Mountain Fire. Crews observed spotty smoke near the northwest corner and will continue to monitor and control the fire. Expect heavy equipment traffic in the area.

Moss Mountain Fire (2,182 acres, 10% containment)

The fire is being kept north of private timber lands by improving and holding forest system road features. Indirect primary lines are implemented to protect values at risk, limit northward spread, and to protect Highway 58, Union Pacific Railroad corridors, the Wolf Mountain Communications site to the north, and infrastructure and cultural sites throughout the fire area. Fire line repair and chipping operations continue. The fire is being kept north of private timber lands by improving and holding forest system road features.

 Weather and Fire Behavior

Today will be the polar opposite of Tuesday as a cold front moves through this afternoon. There’s not much moisture left in the cold front, but there is chance of scattered showers. We will experience cool, westerly onshore winds of 5 to 8 mph and temperatures down to around 75 degrees in the lower valley. Afternoon humidity will also be double what it was yesterday. This cold front is followed by potential for general warming and drying for the remainder of the week.

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.