Single Publication

Willamette Complex South & Red Fire Update

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

Date: Wednesday, September 18, 2024                                    
Fire Causes: Lightning
Email: 2024.willamettecomplex@firenet.gov                      
Information Phone Line: 541-208-1742

Willamette Complex South:             Total Personnel: 441  |  Total Willamette Complex South Acres: 23,309

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

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

Red Fire: Total Personnel: 24  |  Total Red Fire Acres: 1,763

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

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

Summary

Fire activity across the area remains minimal, with most fires exhibiting only creeping and smoldering behavior. In sun-exposed areas, occasional small open flames may still be visible. Crews are focusing on strengthening indirect firelines and repairing resources affected during suppression operations.

For fires not yet fully contained, any growth is occurring within their existing perimeters. Firefighters are reinforcing indirect firelines to protect communities and values at risk. The fires will continue to smolder and creep until a significant rainfall occurs.

The Chalk Fire, Coffee Pot Fire, McKinley Creek Fire, and Tire Mountain Fire are all 100% contained and have entered the patrol and repair phases. Crews are clearing debris from culverts to maintain proper water drainage and prevent erosion, repairing damaged roads that were used for fire access or impacted by fire suppression activities, and managing materials removed during fireline construction. Crews will continue to prioritize these tasks in coordination with resource specialists such as ecologists, hydrologists, and archeologists. Their expertise ensures that repairs and restoration efforts are scientifically sound and effective.

Red Fire (1,763 acres, 0% containment)

Hauling and removing slash from Forest Service Road (FSR) along 6010 from Summit Lake to southwestern corner of Crescent Lake remains a priority. Firefighters continue road repairs and cleaning the shaded fuel break from Whitefish Horse Camp up to Crescent Lake Sno-Park. Structure protection measures, including portable tanks, hoses, and pumps, will remain in place as fire conditions continue to improve.

208 Fire (8,912 acres, 4% containment)

Firefighters are actively improving holding features between Lighthouse Rock to Summit Lake to minimize acres burned. Material chipping will continue today along FSR 21 from Campers Flat to Emigrant Butte.

Moss Mountain Fire (2,155 acres, 10% containment)

The removal of excess slash and vegetation to strengthen primary lines northeast of Groundhog Mountain is nearly complete. Crews are making progress south of Beach Mountain near FSR 2316 and plan to connect to the existing fireline along FSR 23 from the 208 Fire.

Weather and Fire Behavior

Yesterday, a low-pressure system brought steady rain to the area, which continued through the night and reduced fire activity. Smoldering and creeping fires are now less common as heavy fuels burn out and high relative humidity slows spread. The cooler, more humid conditions will be ending with a gradual warming and drying trend expected for the second half of the week. Temperatures will return to seasonal averages, with lows in the 40s and highs in the 60s. Expect light northwest winds and relative humidity to decrease to around 40 percent.

Closures, Fire Restrictions, and Evacuations

• For closure information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/RedFireClosues2024 & 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.