Courtrock Fire Transferring to Type 3 Incident Management Team 

Acres: 20,019 acres | Start Date: July 21st, 2024 | Cause: Lightning | Fuels: Timber, grass, brush

Containment: 97% |Resources: 250

MONUMENT, Ore. – This update will be the last one from Southwest Complex Incident Management Team 2, which will hand over management of the Courtrock Fire to the High Desert Interagency Incident Management Team, Incident Commander Chris Cook, as of 6 PM on Monday, August 12th. A Type 3 team is a smaller incident management organization. We thank the communities in Morrow and Grant counties for their patience and strong support. Fire updates are available on the Courtrock Fire Inciweb page, or Courtrock Fire Facebook.

Objective- Although a transfer of command will take place, fire objectives remain the same. Fire crews will patrol and monitor the fire’s edge and be available for any new fire starts, as needed. Firefighters will also conduct suppression repair, where necessary. On the east side of the fire, there are standing, half-burned fuels susceptible to reburning, also know as a dirty burn, located in steep terrain. This area is difficult to reach and presents a hazard to firefighters. That area will continue to be patrolled. As advised, smoke and the glow will be visible in neighboring communities, especially during the evenings. The unburned fuels need to be consumed; it is likely the remaining interior pockets that are holding heat and producing smoke will continue to do so until a significant weather change occurs in the area. The public should not call 9-1-1 for smoke coming from the interior of the Courtrock Fire. 

Weather– Today there will be a 20 percent chance of showers before 11 AM, with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening. Widespread haze is expected after 11 this morning, although mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. This evening, partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm tonight.
 

Closures- Driving in or visiting the areas affected by Courtrock Fire is a violation against the Forest Service closure order. Please wait to visit until the closure order is lifted, which means the area has been stabilized. 

• For Malheur National Forest closures information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/malheur/news-events 

Evacuations– Level 1 evacuations are in effect for some areas. 

• For Grant County evacuation information, visit Grant County Emergency Management Office’s Facebook page, or sign up for the Grant County Emergency Alert System 
• For Morrow County evacuation information, visit the link below.  

Morning of Monday, August 12, 2024 

For more information on the Park Fire, please visit: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/calnf-park-fire  

Size: 429,259 acres with 38% containment | Personnel: 5,805 

Lassen National Forest: 

Last night firefighters held the #ParkFire within the current perimeter using direct attack on any flames near control lines supported by night-capable aircraft. An extensive “hose lay” is in place extending hose from the engine to the fire allowing delivery of water safely and effectively to aid firefighters. 

Today, firefighters will aggressively take direct action on any new perimeter growth. Efforts to maintain and improve existing lines by removing hazardous trees and mop-up are also underway. Mop-up is a phase of fire suppression that involves removing or extinguishing all burning or smoldering material along containment lines. 

Unified partners have converged firefighters to completely suppress the #ParkFire. 

The #ParkFire has burned 113,736 acres on the Lassen National Forest.  

CAL FIRE: 

Burnout of heavy dead fuels and interior islands continued through the night. The fire remained confined within perimeter lines. 

Incremental improvements in weather continue with slightly cooler weather and higher humidities are trending and will continue this week. 

Firefighters continue to construct direct and indirect lines for fire suppression in some areas as well as mop-up and fire suppression repair in others. Some parts of the fire are safe for repopulations while others are still in evacuation orders and warnings. 

For more information on the Park Fire please visit:  

• CALFIRE Park Fire: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2024/7/24/park-fire  
• CAL FIRE Shasta-Trinity Unit/Shasta County Fire Department: https://www.facebook.com/CALFIRESHU  
• CAL FIRE Tehama-Glenn Unit/ Tehama County Fire Dept: https://www.facebook.com/CALFIRETGU  
• Butte County, CA: https://www.facebook.com/ButteCounty 
• Butte County Sheriff: https://www.facebook.com/bcsonews 
• Plumas County Sheriff: https://www.facebook.com/plumascountysheriff  
• Shasta County Sheriff: https://www.facebook.com/ShastaSheriff  
• Tehama County Sheriff: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088640404140  

The North Entrance Road in the park will be closed for approximately seven days beginning Tuesday, August 13th for firefighters to prepare control lines. Visit https://www.nps.gov/crla/learn/news/crater-lake-temporarily-closes-north-entrance-for-the-middle-fork-fire.htm for details.

Local Agency Type 4 Organization to Take Control of Lone Rock Fire

Location: Lonerock to west of Highway 207 | Size: 137,222 acres | Containment: 98% 

Cause: Under Investigation 

Start Date: July 13, 2024 | Total Personnel: 178

Fire Information Line: 541-208-4369, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.   

Email: 2024.0404rvlonerock@firenet.gov

Condon, Ore. —Throughout the transfer of command fire crews will continue patrolling the fire area and assisting with suppression when needed. It is anticipated that the Type 4 Organization will take command of the fire from outgoing Southwest Complex Incident Management Team 2 (SWCIMT2) at 1800 (6 p.m.) today. Before taking command, organization members will in-brief and shadow their counterparts on the outgoing team. Although public information boards have been removed from local communities, information will continue to be available electronically through the linktree provided at the bottom of this page. SWCIMT2 extends its thanks to the local communities for their patience and hospitality.
 

Safety— Remember fire danger remains high in the area. Be aware of these conditions and your role in fire safety. Closure orders remain in effect. Do not call in smokes deep within the burn area; they do not threaten containment. You can help firefighters by maintaining defensible space around your property. Refer to the Oregon Defensible Space doc for more information.
 

Weather— Today a system will come in from the southwest. It is possible this system could bring some lightning and measurable rain to the local area, but it is unlikely. We will see slightly lower temperatures and higher relative humidity with this system.
 

Closures —

• Umatilla National Forest Order Number 06-14-02-24-02 includes prohibitions within the Heppner Ranger District on the Umatilla National Forest.
• Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Prineville District Office issued an Emergency Public Land Closure on BLM-managed lands along the main stem pf the John Day River and along the North Fork John Day River from Kimberly, OR. to Dale, OR.

Evacuation information: Real-Time Assessment and Planning Tool for Oregon (RAPTOR) public information map.

Smoke Information: Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ for local air quality information.
 

###

Southwest winds cause flare ups in canyons

Total Complex Estimated Acres: 182,858 
Location: Ukiah, Oregon 
Cause: Under Investigation 
Personnel: 1151
Containment: 68% 
Estimated Cost: $64 million 
Resources: 28 crews | 49 engines | 6 helicopters | 29 water tenders | 19 dozers

Highlights: Some public lands to reopen today as containment increases on the Battle Mountain Complex.

Operations: Fire managers added additional containment to the north side of the fire after crews worked extensively to find and extinguish hot spots. Swale, Ditch, Ellis and Potamus creeks continue to hold heat, aided by southwest winds that push through the drainages. Crews continue to mop up in these areas. Yesterday, they used a helicopter with a water bucket to cool down areas around Notell.

Today the work of preparing contingency lines around Penland Lake continues. Crews and machinery are nearing completion of the tree and brush cutting work that will make these lines defensible in the event they are needed. Cutting along the 21 and 2104 road should be completed today.

Firefighters on the east, south and west sides of the fire will focus efforts on suppression repair work. Miles of dozer line constructed to contain the fire will be repaired with erosion control features. Crews in these areas are also removing unneeded equipment like hoses, pumps and water tanks. This equipment will be cleaned, inspected and made available for other fires in the area. Crews already removed 15,000 feet of hose from the fire.

As containment increases and fire activity diminishes, some firefighting resources are reaching the end of their assignment. They will demobilize from the incident to rest and get ready to be sent to other fires.

Weather: An isolated late afternoon or evening shower or thunderstorm will be possible Tuesday through Thursday. Temperatures ranging from upper 70s to around 90 Tuesday and Wednesday will cool off late in the week following a dry cold front. Winds will be from the west to southwest the first half of the day Tuesday and Wednesday before shifting out of the northwest later in the afternoon. More typical northwest winds return Thursday and Friday.  

Smoke: Smoke has moderated but is expected to persist from regional fires in the area. Residents can expect to continue to see smoke from interior pockets of unburned fuel. To see a detailed smoke outlook visit: https://linktr.ee/battlemntcomplex2024

Public Land Closures: The Bureau of Land Management and the Umatilla National Forest have closed public lands in the fire area. Visit https://linktr.ee/battlemntcomplex2024 for more information.

Road closures and fire restrictions: https://linktr.ee/battlemntcomplex2024 

Grant, Morrow and Umatilla County Evacuations: https://linktr.ee/battlemntcomplex2024

Tonto National Forest to assume command of the Sand Stone, Deer, Y Bar, Bartlett, Sheep, and Clair Fires 

Daily Update – Sunday, August 21, 2024

Highlights: Type 4 incident commanders from the local ranger districts are in command of the Sand Stone, Deer, Y Bar, Bartlett, Sheep, and Clair Fires. 

Total personnel on all incidents: 263

Clair: 2,170 acres; 98% containment

Bartlett: 6,161 acres; 98% containment

Y Bar: 297 acres; 93% containment

Sheep: 2,483 acres; 90% containment

Sand Stone: 27,390 acres; 98% containment

Deer: 378 acres; 90% containment

https://inciweb.fs2c.usda.gov/incident-information/aztnf-clair / https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/aztnf-bartlett / https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/aztnf-sand-stone 

Willamette Complex Fire Update, Monday, August 12, 2024

Chalk Fire, Coffeepot Fire, McKinley Fire, Moss Mountain Fire, Tire Mountain Fire, 208 Fire, and 217 Fire

Total Willamette Complex Personnel: 980

Total Willamette Complex Acres: 12,323

Resources: 2 Skid Steers, 8 Type 4 Engines, 30 Type 2 Crews

Fire Cause: Lightning

Summary

Fires continued to burn with moderate intensity on Sunday. Fire managers are using infrared technology to monitor for any changes in heat. Over the weekend, firefighters from Australia and New Zealand were assigned to support the Willamette Complex South fires, filling specialized positions as U.S. resources are limited due to numerous large fires burning simultaneously across the West. Mutual wildland fire assistance between the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand goes back more than two decades.

Chalk Fire (5,296 acres, 54% containment)
Fireline along the northwestern edge of the Chalk Fire was widened Sunday as a result of successful aerial firing operations within the large green island. Crews continue to remove snags to strengthen containment lines and extinguish heat in areas where it is safe to work.

Coffeepot Fire (6,036 acres, 35% containment)
Heavy fuels continue to produce significant heat on the Coffeepot Fire. Crews are removing brush and trees to further secure control lines.

Moss Mountain Fire (714 acres, 0% containment)
Crews worked Sunday to contain the spot south of Forest Road 2120 with the assistance of helicopter bucket drops. Fire managers are working with local partners to assess options for containment in challenging terrain.

208 Fire (192 acres, 0% containment)
Burning in a high-elevation area with limited fuels, the 208 Fire is not currently threatening any values, but does have potential to spread under the right conditions. As a result, fire managers are continuing to monitor heat and fire activity here.

217 Fire, Tire Mountain Fire, and McKinley Fire
The 217, Tire Mountain, and McKinley fires are 100% contained and crews continue to monitor for activity.

Weather and Fire Behavior

On Monday, a noticeable change in weather is predicted, with higher humidity and maximum temperatures in the low- to mid-70s. Smoke from fires within and surrounding the Willamette Complex will likely continue to linger in the area. Heavy fuels will continue to burn despite the higher humidity predicted.

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

Incident Commander:  Bill Waln, Incident Commander  

Location:  10 miles southwest of Wise River, MT 

Start Date: 7/25/2024  

Cause: Undetermined 

Size: 4,157 acres  

Containment: 10% 

Resources on Site: 3 hotshot crews; 2 type 2 hand crews; 11 engines; 1 skidgens; 1 dozer 

Total Personnel:  339 

KEY MESSAGES:  

Firefighters made great progress on reinforcing firelines on the south edge of the fire near the Pettengill Road, and the fire is now 10 percent contained. All cutting is completed in the shaded fuel break operation along the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway. Firefighters will continue work to clean up limbs and other debris left from trees cut along the Byway. You can help keep our firefighters safe as they work along the road by reducing your driving speeds through this area. Be prepared for heavier traffic as dump trucks, log trucks, and other large equipment will be loading and hauling trees and debris out of the area. 

The lightning-caused fire start detected on Saturday showed no heat during yesterday’s infrared flight. Firefighters assigned to this fire will remain available for initial attack on any new starts detected near the fire.  

Current Status/PLANNED ACTIONS:   

Today, crews will continue to monitor the southern portion of the fire and will be working to extend the existing containment line along the Pettengill Creek and Reservoir Creek trails. Firefighters are close to finishing the removal of trees and vegetation to create a fuel break in the Reservoir Creek drainage. They will stay in a spike camp near this area to reduce travel and safety hazards posed by the steep and rough terrain. The Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) will fly over the northern portion of the fire today to map the terrain, types of fuels, and fire activity. The data will be used to create a complete 3-D map of the area, which will provide fire managers vital information of the area as they develop fire suppression plans. A remote camera will also be strategically placed so the area can be monitored remotely. 

The structure group is conducting structure assessments in the Wise River community and along the Hwy 43 corridor. When completed, the information will be added to previous assessments near the fire and along the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway for a complete up-to-date structural data package for the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Office of Emergency Management, and the local fire chief. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: 

The weather continues to get warmer and drier. West winds at 3-8 mph will occur in the slopes, valleys and the Wise River Drainage. The ridgetops will experience winds from the southwest between 8-12 mph and gusts up to 18 mph. 

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: 

The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has issued an Area/Road/Trail Closure (Closure #01-02-03-24-05) effective July 31, 2024. This Order is for public and firefighter safety during fire suppression efforts of the Grouse Fire. Closure information and maps are posted on the Forests’ website and the fire’s Inciweb page as they are in place. https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtbdf-grouse. 

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. 

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 three feet of the device.  

RED FIRE DAILY UPDATE Monday, August 12, 2024

541-208-1766, 2024.red@firenet.gov https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ordef-red-fire https://www.facebook.com/2024RedFireOR/

Size: 585 acres
Start Date: July 17, 2024 Cause: Lightning Containment: 0% Total Personnel: 267

Location: 5 miles west of Crescent Lake Junction, OR County: Klamath

Crescent, OR – The Red Fire is burning within the Diamond Peak Wilderness of the Deschutes National Forest, on the southwest slope of Redtop Mountain. The fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy. Public and firefighter safety is the highest priority in managing this fire.

Yesterday’s Activities – Despite a slight downsizing due to critical needs of other fires, remaining crews continued progress toward completion goals. Firefighters continued efforts to protect homes, infrastructure, and natural resources. They are near finished with the shaded fuel break’s north section and will continue expanding it west along FSR 60. Crews working around residences near Crescent Lake’s northwest shore finished installing sprinklers along the service road. Road improvement work continued on FSR 6010. Resource advisors from the Deschutes National Forest continued to work closely with firefighters to protect sensitive areas

Today’s Activities – Firefighters will continue with structure protection and fuels reduction. Crews will continue to improve roads and defensible areas on FSR 6010. Scouts continue to look for opportunities to insert more resources to assist with suppression needs and goals should they become available. Crews will begin moving from completed sections around the fire to areas requiring the most work, as well as checking and cleaning up already completed areas.

Weather and Smoke –. As the cloudy skies continue to clear in the fire area that slight moisture change in the fuel beds bringing higher relative humidity. Relative humidity is the main factor as it is always changing slowly with the predicted weather. Burning will be moderate to slow on most of the fire today. Air quality information can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

Closures – The Deschutes National Forest has implemented an emergency closure around Crescent Lake and in the Diamond Peak Wilderness. The public should note that Forest Service Road 60 is closed, and road guards have been posted for public safety. More closure information is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices/?aid=89091

Evacuations – The WILDFIRE! Level 1 – BE READY to Evacuate notice issued by Klamath County Emergency Management for the Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, and Crescent Junction areas remains in effect (INCENDIO FORESTAL! Nivel 1 - ESTÉ PREPARADO para evacuar de las siguientes zonas: Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, Crescent Junction). Visit www.klamathcounty.org/300/emergency-management for more information or to sign up for alerts.

Fire Restrictions – Stage 2 Public Use Fire Restrictions – which prohibit open fires, including in

developed campgrounds – are in effect for the Deschutes National Forest. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level is currently Level IV “General Shutdown.” Visit fs.usda.gov/detail/deschutes/home/cid=stelprdb5297376 for more information.

Drone Restrictions – A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Red Fire area. Unauthorized drone (UAS) flights pose serious risks to the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. Aerial firefighting is suspended when unauthorized UAS are in the area, allowing wildfires to grow larger. If you fly, we can’t.