Incident Commander: David McPhee
Location: 16 miles northwest of Philipsburg, MT
Start Date: 8/26/2024
Cause: Undetermined
Size: 216 acres
Resources on Site: 2 crews; 2 engines; 1 helicopter; miscellaneous heavy equipment
Total Personnel: 31

The McDermott Fire, located in the Upper Willow Creek area, is burning in an inaccessible area containing a large
concentration of standing dead trees (“snags”) that pose challenges to ensuring firefighter safety and in responding
to potential medical emergencies.

Fire managers from the Forest, working in collaboration with local county officials and cooperating agency
representatives, have identified and prioritized critical values at risk in the fire area. The closest values are located
three miles to the east of the fire’s location.

Helicopters dropped water on the fire during the initial attack phase, but high winds and the inaccessibility of the
fire location resulted in fire growth. Additionally, drift smoke from other large fires to the west and south resulted
in the inability to fly additional helicopters for air operations in subsequent days.

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS:
Helicopters will continue to support ground crews with water bucket drops on the east flank to cool hot spots and
prevent fire progression. The crew will continue to construct handline on the fire, east of the Black Pine Trail.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:
Gusty outflow winds associated with passing thunderstorms materialized over the fire area days ago, with little to
no measurable precipitation. Temperatures are expected to continue in the mid to upper 80s with low relative
humidities until early next week.

Fire behavior initially was active, with spotting and group torching and a moderate rate of spread. The fire showed
little to no movement and was burning internal pockets of timber in the McDermott Ridge area.

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS:
The Forest is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Campfires are allowed only in a permanent metal fire grate/ring provided
by the Forest Service in a designated, developed recreation site. Smoking is restricted to vehicles, in buildings, or in
an area clear of flammable materials. Devices with an on/off switch that use LPG fuels are allowed in an area clear
of flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.

Forest fire managers have closed trails in the area near the fire for public safety.
These trails include the following:
Black Pine Ridge Trail #8006
McDermott Gulch Trail # 8238
Pole Ridge Trail # 8237
Horsetheif Trail # 8297
Schilo Creek Trail # 8240
Upper Will Trail #8106
Rattling Gulch Trail
The public is encouraged to refrain from entering these areas for their safety and to allow for safe and effective firefighting operations. Heavy equipment, helicopters, and firefighters will be operating near the eastern flank of the fire and adjacent areas.

Willamette Complex North 
News Update 
2024.WillametteComplex.North@firenet.gov 
Information line: 541-208-1262, 8 am to 8 pm 
Facebook: https://facebook.com/OreFireInformation2024/ https://www.facebook.com/PyramidFireInfo2024  

Inciweb: Willamette Complex North 

For immediate Release: 
The Linton Creek fire started Friday, September 6 and is located on the McKenzie Ranger District of the Willamette National Forest. The fire is currently 200 acres and actively growing around the Linton Meadows/Eileen Lake area, west of the Three Sisters Wilderness. Evacuation orders are currently being issued for the area with closure orders soon following. Recreationists, both day hikers and through hikers are encouraged to check for updates on the provided web pages. Pacific Crest Trail hikers will need to check for re-routes that may affect their itinerary. Search and Rescue teams will be sweeping the area for the public. Please evacuate the area safely and orderly. Please check inciweb and the Ore and Pyramid Facebook pages for updates. California Incident Management Team 13 has assumed command of the Linton Creek fire and will be part of the Willamette North Complex.

Click the link to view Lassen National Forest Supervisor Tara D Jones speaking from the Park Fire Incident command post in Chester, California

Click the link to view Public Information Officer Lenore Lamb provides Operational Briefing on Park Fire.

Check out the latest KXGV Radio Interview interviewing Garrett Stallings our Medical Unit Leader and Public Information Officer Alyssa Archuleta.

Bayfield, Colo. Aug. 26, 2024— To reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and improve forest health, the Columbine Ranger District is planning to burn approximately 5,000 acres in the Beaver Meadows and Southern HD mountains of the San Juan National Forest. The planned burn areas are approximately 10 miles northeast and 12 miles southeast of Bayfield. Operations may begin as soon as early September and may continue into November, depending on weather conditions and availability of fire personnel and other resources. 

Prescribed fires will only be ignited when all weather, fuels and smoke requirements are met. Ignitions will take place over several consecutive days and operations may take several weeks to complete. Burning operations will be conducted by district personnel and other fire resources from the Forest Service and partner agencies, using both ground and aerial ignition. Smoke will be heavier in the mornings following burning operations, although it should clear by midday. Smoke will be visible from Arboles, Bayfield, Pagosa Springs, and the U.S. Highway 160 and 151 corridors near those towns. 

These burn units are part of the larger Vallecito-Piedra and Southern HD’s Integrated Vegetation Management projects aimed at reducing hazardous ground fuels and long-term risk of catastrophic wildfire, as well as restoring ponderosa pine ecosystems and improving wildlife habitat. The forests in Southwest Colorado are part of a fire-adapted ecosystem, which has historically experienced frequent, low-intensity fires on a large scale. Prescribed fire replicates that fire regime under controlled conditions. 

Learn how smoke from prescribed fire may affect your health by visiting the Colorado Department of Public Health website: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health 

For more information, please contact District Assistant Fire Management Officer (fuels) Noah Daniels at noah.daniels@usda.gov. 

For information on the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874, visit the forest website, or follow us on social media (X and Facebook).

-USDA-

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Willamette Complex North Daily Update

2024.WillametteComplex.North@firenet.gov

Information line: 541-208-1262, 8 am to 8 pm
Facebook: 

https://facebook.com/OreFireInformation2024;

https://www.facebook.com/PyramidFireInfo2024/

Saturday, September 7, 2024

Message: The red flag warning has been extended through 8pm tonight. Please check the National Weather Service for more information.

Suppression Objectives: The Ore Fire and the Pyramid Fire remain under a full suppression strategy to protect values at risk, including the Middle Santiam Wilderness, HJ Andrews Experimental Forest, and private timberlands. Firefighters are building direct fire line where possible, and strategic indirect contingency line as needed. 

Current Situation: Lightning observed Friday evening as isolated showers covered the area. Regional smoke from fires burning in Eastern and Southern Oregon are settling in the McKenzie River drainage. Firefighters look to improve existing fire lines both direct and contingency. This will involve securing, patrolling, and mopping up. Aviation resources will be available to respond in the event of any new starts from potential holdovers from the previous evening lightning. 

Ore Fire: 7 miles Northeast of Blue River, 3,337 acres, 42% contained, 614 total personnel, human caused.  Firefighters are making progress in the Ore Creek drainage. With a red flag warning, firefighters have prepared for initial attack responses, as the current fire weather pattern persists. Hauling of activity fuels will continue, and heavy equipment use is paused until weather conditions improve. Firing operations for the purpose of securing the fire line are planned today.

Pyramid Fire: East of Middle Santiam Wilderness, 1,312 Acres, 98% contained, 229 total personnel, lightning caused. Crews and heavy equipment will continue the removal of activity fuels from fire lines and keep improving contingency lines. With the chance of increased fire behavior due to the extreme heat and low humidity levels, firefighters will cautiously work to improve lines. 

Safety: In addition to the red flag warning and heat advisory, the public should visit Oregon Trip Check for road conditions along Highway 126. There is increased traffic with firefighters, hunting season, starting and the beginning of the weekend. Please use caution and defensive driving to prevent vehicular accidents.   https://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/Road-Conditions?mainNav=RoadConditions&curRegion=0

Closures & Fire Restrictions:  Willamette National Forest closures for all fires can be found at:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices

Everyone is reminded to stay out of all fire closures for firefighter and general safety. Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of up to $5,000. All campfires, charcoal fires, pellet fires, or any other open fires are prohibited, including in developed campgrounds and wilderness areas. Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns, and heaters that can be switched on and off are allowed. Please see Forest Order 06-18-00-24-27 for additional information. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1047207.pdf

Firefighters catch spot fires, prepare for more challenging weather

MITCHELL, Ore. – Overnight, firefighters on the Shoe Fly Fire were able to establish fireline on two spotfires and hold the line across the rest of the fire. Two areas on the southwest and northeast borders continue to be the focus for many of the resources on the fire.

“Much of the fireline is holding and we are necking down these trouble spots,” stated Incident Commander Joe Hessel this morning at briefing. “Today we will focus on pinching these trouble areas off so we can turn our efforts to holding the fire and mopping up.”

Fire spotted across the fireline in the Peggy Butte area late Friday night. Firefighters worked to line the fire while also using fire to remove unburned fuel between the main fire perimeter and these spots, reducing the risk of additional spotting.

On the northeast corner, fire spotted outside the fireline, burning approximately 20 acres north of Baldy Mountain. Firefighters in this area were able to stop the spread and spent the night building fireline. Today, resources will continue strengthening the fireline and work to mop up the perimeter of the fire.

Other areas of the fire are in beginning mop up stages, and resources are working to identify and extinguish areas of heat near the fireline. Hazard trees are also being removed to reduce risks to firefighters.

Critical fire weather continues today, including a Red Flag Warning for dry, hot, unstable conditions that will challenge firefighters working to hold the fire within the existing footprint. There is a potential for gusty winds which could push the fire to spot into dry fuels outside the fireline. Firefighters continue to mop up deeper into the fire, pushing for cold black adjacent to the fireline in anticipation of changing wind directions.

Three structural task forces are providing structure protection, mopping up and improving firelines near residences. This is a coordinated effort between Wheeler County Fire Defense Board, Oregon State Fire Marshal and Team 1 operations. Two task forces will be working today.

With the potential for new fire starts in the area resources from the Shoe Fly Fire are available to support local firefighters and landowners in suppression efforts.

Evacuation notices for residents around the fire continue to be evaluated by the Wheeler County Sheriff, Wheeler County Fire Defense Board Chief, and Team 1 Operations personnel. More information on current evacuations is available at https://tinyurl.com/RAPTOR-Evacuation-Info

While there are no current road closures due to the Shoe Fly Fire, other fires nearby may be impacting travel. Check https://tripcheck.com/ for current closures and potential delays.

Red Flag Warning over Fossil Complex as Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 2 assumes command

SPRAY, Ore. – The Fossil Complex includes 5-widely dispersed fires east of Fossil, north of Spray and Monument, and south of Heppner which are burning in tall grass, brush, and timber across about 752 acres.

The Fossil Complex is comprised of the Two Cabin Fire, which began on September 3 along with the Canyon, Holmes, Kinzua Fires, which began on September 5. The Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 2 (ODF IMT 2) responded to the Service Fire after assuming command of the Fossil Complex at 6:00 PM yesterday. The Service Fire, which expanded rapidly to 200 acres is now fully lined and incorporated into the complex.

The arrival of ODF IMT 2 brings additional capacity to manage and support the complex logistical needs of staffing and supporting firefighting needs across these widely dispersed fires. Additional firefighting crews began arriving yesterday and as more continue to arrive, they will join the full suppression effort and be available to respond in the event of any new starts within the complex.

Currently all fires are lined. With a high potential for fire spread, crews are working to improve the security of lines across the complex. Aviation resources, though limited, are available to support ground crews and slow the spread of any fire outside the fire lines.

Evacuations: a Level 1 evacuation is in effect for Parker Mill, Sunflower, and Anson Wright Park. 

Weather: A Red Flag Warning has been issued throughout the area for abundant thunderstorms and outflow winds which could promote fire growth across containment lines. Critical fire weather is expected over next several days, with a high potential for fire spread due to low RH's and high temps.

Road Closures:  County Road 697 is closed.

Fire Restrictions and Forest Closures

ODF: www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx

Umatilla NF: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5382878

BLM: www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions

FIRE AT A GLANCE

Fossil Complex

Total Size:  752 acres          

Two Cabin: 251acres

Canyon-190 acres

Kinzua-96 acres

Holmes-15 acres

Service-200 acres

Containment:  0% 

Cause:  Lightning

All Resources 

Hand Crews: 10

Engines: 6

Water Tender:  1

Dozers:  3

Skidders: 2

Skidgen: 1

Total Resources: 273

Aviation

Type 2: 2

Type3: 2

ODF Incident Commander:

Matt Howard, Incident Management Team 2

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, Sawtooth National Forest, Fairfield Ranger District, Chimney Fire Area and Road Closure