Single Publication

Tuesday, August 20, 2024 

Total Willamette Complex South Personnel: 696

Total Willamette Complex South Acres: 13,013

Resources: 2 Type 1 Hotshot Crews, 24 Type 2 Crews, 2 Type 2 Initial Attack Crews, 24 Type 6 Engines, 8 Dozers, 8 Masticators, 1 Skid Steer, and 7 Feller Bunchers

Fire Cause: Lightning  

 Summary 

On the Willamette Complex Fires South, crews have added containment to the Chalk and Coffeepot fires with support uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), heavy equipment, and aviation. 

Chalk Fire (5,663 acres, 66% containment) 

Crews added 9% containment on the Chalk Fire. UAS equipped with infrared sensors for thermal mapping have been critical for finding hot spots in the fire area. Often, heat has been found high in snags and cedar trees that are difficult to detect from the ground. 

Coffeepot Fire (6,176 acres, 77% containment) 

Crews are mopping up fireline along the southeast side of the Coffeepot Fire, and have added 6% containment. They will improve control lines and continue addressing hotspots and removing hazard trees. UAS infrared are being used to locate ground and aerial heat. 

 Moss Mountain Fire (842 acres, 0% containment) 

Firefighters are continuing to maintain containment on the southern boundary of the Moss Mountain Fire. Two hotshot crews, with the support of a helicopter equipped with a water-dropping bucket, continue to be critical for preparing and holding the lines due to steep terrain, heavy fuels, and rollout.

208 Fire (247 acres, 0% containment) 

The 208 Fire is mostly inactive. The fire remains active in the southwest corner where the fire is moving slowly westward downhill into the wind, or backing. Bucket drops are being used to reduce fire activity. 

217 Fire, Tire Mountain Fire, and McKinley Fire 

The 217, Tire Mountain, and McKinley Fires are 100% contained. 

 Weather and Fire Behavior 

The weather will remain relatively warm and dry through mid-week before a low-pressure system from the coast, bringing a likelihood of precipitation on Thursday. Subdued, creeping fire behavior is expected through the end of the week. 

Closures and Fire Restrictions

Area, road, trail, and recreation site closures are in place on the Willamette National Forest in the vicinity of many active fires. Temporary road barricades are in place to restrict traffic across the fire areas. 

• For specific closure information visit tinyurl.com/WillFireClosures2024  
• For current fire restrictions visit tinyurl.com/WillFireRestrictions2024  

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) are in place over the Chalk, Coffeepot, and Moss Mountain Fires. Visit 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.     

For More Information 

Phone: (541) 208-1742, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Email: 2024.willamettecomplex@firenet.gov 

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

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

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WillametteComplexFiresSouth