Cooldown helps C.O. firefighters build, secure containment lines, conduct ‘tactical burning’ to remove fuels
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Continued cooler, calmer weather have made for more progress on major fires burning around Central Oregon and the region, officials said in Saturday's daily updates.
The Deschutes National Forest advised Saturday afternoon that smoke could be visible as firefighters conduct burnout operations on the west side of the Little Lava Fire and the north and southwestern edges of the Flat Top fire, to remove unburned fuels between constructed line, a natural feature or a road and the fire's edge.
Northwest 3 Complex Incident Management Team
Lonnie Click ~ Incident Commander
September 14, 2024
Bachelor Complex and Flat Top and Firestone Fires Update
Quick Facts: Bachelor Complex
Size: 10,801 acres Start Date: Sept 8, 2024 Location: 20 miles SW Bend, OR
Personnel: 436
Quick Facts: Firestone & Flat Top Fires
Firestone Size: 9,117 acres Start Date: Sept 6, 2024 Location: North of Fort Rock, OR
Flat Top Size: 33,172 acres Personnel: 229
Yesterday, firefighters continued to establish containment lines and conduct strategic burning operations on the Bachelor Complex, Flat Top and Firestone Fires. Due to the decrease in temperatures and wind, the fires produced less smoke than in previous days. Unburned pockets of vegetation continue to burn and produce smoke within the interior of the Firestone and Flat Top Fires. Crews also worked night shifts to patrol and secure these areas. These are priority fires in the region and more personnel, heavy equipment and aerial resources continue to arrive to support suppression efforts. Today, firefighters will continue to establish and secure containment lines and conduct tactical burning operations around the Bachelor Complex, Flat Top and Firestone Fires.
Bachelor Complex: The higher elevation fires in the Bachelor Complex near the Cascade crest have experienced minimal fire growth over the last three days due to cooler temperatures, higher moisture levels and good overnight humidity recovery. Crews continue to mop up and secure the eastern flank of the Little Lava Fire east of Forest Service Road (FSR) 45. Firefighters will continue to scout for opportunities to establish and connect control lines to Edison Trail north of the Little Lava Fire perimeter. On the Backside and 911 Fires, crews will continue to strengthen containment lines and extinguish sources of heat within the fire perimeter.
Flat Top Fire: Yesterday, firefighters successfully used tactical firing operations to secure control lines along FSR 410. If conditions are favorable, firefighters plan to continue strategic firing operations today to help secure control lines along the western flank near Willow Butte and northeast corner from FSR 410 towards FSR 470 and FSR 18.
Firestone Fire: Resources continue to reinforce containment lines along the southern and southwestern flanks of the fire near the base of East Butte to FSR 220. Today, crews will also continue to prepare roads south and southeast of the fire in preparation for potential burning operations in the coming days.
Weather and Fire Behavior: Vegetation on the Bachelor Complex fires will continue to dry out a little with temperatures today in the mid-50’s. West, northwest winds could gust up to 20 mph this afternoon. On the Firestone and Flat Top Fires, moisture levels will drop and are expected to reach 25-30% relative humidity this afternoon with warm weather in the mid-70’s. The wind will shift to the northwest this afternoon with gusts up to 18 mph. Saturday night a passing shower is possible late with patchy fog mainly over the Bachelor Complex.
Evacuations: Deschutes County lowered some evacuation levels on the Bachelor Complex yesterday, September 13. Emergency management and fire officials are revaluating evacuation levels daily. Level 3 evacuations mean “Go Now,” Level 2 means “Be Set” and Level 1 means "Be Ready.” To view current evacuation levels, please visit the Deschutes County Emergency Information Interactive Map at: http://www.deschutes.org/emergency. For Lake County evacuation information, please visit: https://www.lakecountyor.org/flat_top.php
Closures: There are two temporary emergency closure areas on the Deschutes National Forest for these fires. View the updated closure orders and maps on the Deschutes National Forest site at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices.
Facebook: facebook.com/deschutesnationalforest/
InciWeb:
inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ordef-bachelor-complex-fires
inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ordef-flat-top-and-firestone-fires
YouTube: youtube.com/@CentralOregonFireInfo
Fire Information Line: (541) 249-9829, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Smoke & Air Quality Information: fire.airnow.gov
--
Control Lines Completed Around the Wiley Flat Fire
Daily Update September 14, 2024
Fire Information Phone: 541-208-7108 (8 a.m.- 8 p.m.)
Email: 2024.wileyflat@firenet.gov
Wiley Flat – 30,061; 64% contained
Hawley Ridge – 793; 100% contained
Location: Wiley Creek: about 10 miles southeast of Post, Oregon off Highway 380.
Start Date: September 2, 2024,
Personnel: 653
Resources: 20 crews |21 engines | 17 dozers | 14 water tenders | 4 masticators | 5 skidgens | 2 ambulances |3 excavator | 2 helicopters
Highlights: Firefighters have completed control lines around the western and southwestern edges of the fire, which means lines are established around the entire fire area. These lines will not be considered contained until they are fully secured and mopped up, which crews will begin working on today. Firefighters also conducted suppression repairs yesterday on the Hawley Ridge Fire, along eastern and northern control lines, and along indirect lines that were not needed for containment. Firefighters will continue suppression repairs on both fires today.
Weather:
• Today: Today will have increasing cloud cover. High temperature will reach near 70 and minimum relative humidity will drop to 25 to 30 percent. Winds will be west to northwest 2- 5 mph. Fire activity will be moderate to low today.
Evacuations: The following evacuations are in effect:
LEVEL 3: SE Maury Road west to SE Newsome Creek Road from Crooked River south to the Forest boundary.
LEVEL 2: SE Newsome Creek Road west to SE Conant Basin Road area south of Crooked River. SE Maury Road east to SE Camp Creek Road from Hwy 380 south to Forest Boundary.
An evacuation map is available online through the Crook County Emergency Management Office website.
The Red Cross evacuation shelter is in the Carey Foster Hall at Crook County Fairgrounds SE Lynn Blvd. Prineville, OR 97754. Information number: 1-800-RED-CROSS
Importance of Fire Prevention: All public lands in Central Oregon are in Stage 2 Public Use (Fire) Restrictions. All open flames, including woodstoves and charcoal briquette fires, are prohibited. In times of high fire danger, it is crucial for everyone to follow prevention measures to avoid additional strain on overburdened resources.
Fire Restrictions and Closures: These areas are closed to all uses, including recreational activities, for public and firefighter safety. The Ochoco National Forest has implemented temporary closures for the Paulina and Lookout Mountain Ranger Districts. The Bureau of Land Management has issued a temporary closure for portions of public lands in Crook and Grant Counties.
More Information:
Smoke Outlook: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/929bfe8f
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident.../orocf-wiley-flat
Facebook: Facebook.com/2024Wiley Flat Fire
Central Oregon Wildfire Information: https://centraloregonfire.org/
--
Shoe Fly Fire update:
Firefighters push toward completion of mop up
MITCHELL, Ore. – Mop up on the Shoe Fly Fire is near completion. Firefighters have reached 300 feet of cold black adjacent to the perimeter on much of the 26,774 acre fire, resulting in an increase of containment to 77%.
Today, firefighters will continue to mop up heavier fuels in the Gird’s Creek area on the southwest flank and around Baldy Mountain on the northeast corner of the fire. These areas have timber and larger fuels that hold heat longer and require more water and effort to extinguish. A drone with infrared capabilities will be used in the northeast corner of the fire to locate hot spots, speeding up the mop up process.
The southeast corner and the northwest corner of the fire are in patrol status with crews monitoring the area for any signs of heat or smoke. Water bars have been installed to divert water to green vegetation for filtering and all hose and equipment has been returned to the fire cache.
The safety of landowners, the public and incident responders has been a top priority for ODF’s Team 1. Since the Team’s arrival on the incident, there have been no significant injuries.
The Shoe Fly Fire was started by lightning early in the morning on September 2, 2024. More than 1,000 firefighters together with landowners worked to stop the spread of the fire, constructing nearly 100 miles of fireline around the perimeter. That is the equivalent of mopping up a 3,600 acre fire. The goal for ODF Team 1 is for the fire to be in patrol status as of 6 p.m. Sunday evening.
--
Rail Ridge Fire Update
09/14/2024 - 09:45
Quick Facts
Cause: Lightning
Acreage: 162,029
Containment: 25%
Crews: 25
Engines: 119
Dozers: 32
Aircraft: Available when needed/weather permitting
Contact us
Phone: 541-208-7111
Email: 2024.railridge@firenet.gov
Facebook: Rail Ridge Fire - Oregon 2024
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orocf-rail-ridge
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire
Closures and Evacuations
Closures: The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management have implemented partial closures because of the Rail Ridge and Crazy Creek fires, for all uses. For more details and closure maps, visit the Ochoco National Forest, Malheur National Forest, and BLM web pages.
Evacuations: Shelters are available to evacuees. For up-to-date evacuation information, please visit:
- Grant County: Grant County Emergency Management Facebook page.
- Crook County: Crook County Emergency Management website and Crook County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
- Wheeler County: Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
Operational Update
A community meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. today at the Mt. Vernon Grange at 59491 US 26. The meeting will be streamed live on the Malheur National Forest Facebook page. If we are unable to go live, the meeting will be posted on the Rail Ridge Fire page afterward.
As progress continues and the threat to structures continues to diminish, Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) will continue to demobilize resources. Two task forces from Benton and Marion counties will be demobilized today, with the remainder of OSFM resources and the Blue Team returning to their home agencies Sunday. Structure protection will be provided as needed by remaining fire crews who will diligently monitor for any changes by conducting regular patrols of these areas.
Containment of the Rail Ridge Fire has been aided by the ability to take a more aggressive, more direct approach because of recent weather – particularly in the Guyon Basin area south of Dayville and along the western flank by Three Forks. This progress, however, will be tested today by increased temperatures and winds ahead of a forecasted front that is expected to bring more moisture, cooler temps and cloud cover Sunday. Heavy fuels – logs, standing dead trees and large stumps – continue to burn and smaller fuels will dry out and become more available to fire as they are warmed by the sun and dried by winds. Smoke is likely in many areas interior to the fireline.
OSFM task forces remain engaged in the communities at risk and have worked to cold trail, ensuring no heat remains, and mop up as much as 150 feet from affected structures as well as aiding in mop up efforts throughout the area.
Hotshot crews are working to connect containment line from Guyon Basin heading southwest toward Black Canyon.
Elsewhere on the fire, crews and heavy equipment continue efforts to build line, both primary and alternate where needed, to keep the fire away from the Fields Peak area and west of Forest Road 210. Firefighters will monitor, patrol and mopup any lingering heat sources throughout the fire perimeter today.
Overnight, crews maintained patrols looking for any lingering hot spots that could threaten containment.
Weather
Warmer, drier weather today could result in increased smoke production throughout the fire’s footprint. Recent rains greatly reduced fire behavior but heavy fuels – logs, trees, larger stumps, etc. – still hold significant heat and could show smoke as conditions move to a cooler, drier trend for the next several days. Winds will be slightly higher today at 15-20 mph.
Related Links:
--
Willamette Complex South & Red Fire Update
Red, 208, Moss Mountain, Coffee Pot, Tire Mountain, McKinley Creek and Chalk Fires
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024 Fire Causes: Lightning
Email: 2024.willamettecomplex@firenet.gov Information Phone Line: 541-208-1742
Willamette Complex South: Total Personnel: 580 | Total Willamette Complex South Acres: 23,308
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-willamette-complex-fires-south
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillametteComplexFires/
Red Fire: Total Personnel: 58 | Total Red Fire Acres: 1,751
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ordef-red-fire
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2024RedFireOR/
Summary
Recent wet weather and cooler temperatures helped to moderate fire activity. Today’s operations will concentrate on completion of primary lines on lands adjacent to the communities of Oakridge, Westfir, High Prairie, Crescent Lake Junction, Crescent Lake recreation residences, and other values at risk. In areas with prepped indirect line, crews continue mop-up and containment where fire has reached the fireline.
Red Fire (1,751 acres, 0% containment)
Yesterday, firefighters made significant progress by removing smaller trees and underbrush to strengthen the fireline from Whitefish Trailhead to Crescent Lake. As temperatures drop and the forecast predicts more moisture, operations continue to dismantle pumps and hoses along the Whitefish Creek Trail while focusing on measures to keep the fire within the Diamond Peak Wilderness.
208 Fire (8,912 acres, 0% containment)
The fire continues to creep and smolder towards Forest Service Road (FSR) 23 near Vivian Lake Trailhead on the northwest and FSR 21 and 2154 between Middle Fork Trailhead and Pacific Crest Trail. Crews are actively reinforcing these roads to complete a fireline near Groundhog Mountain to the northeast of FSR 23.
Moss Mountain Fire (2,155 acres, 10% containment)
Crews continue strengthening primary lines northeast of Groundhog Mountain while monitoring for changes in fire behavior. Indirect primary and contingency lines are set up to protect values at risk and limit northward fire spread. These lines safeguard Highway 58, Union Pacific Railroad corridors, the Wolf Mountain Communications site to the north, and various infrastructure and cultural sites throughout the fire area.
Chalk Fire (5,991 acres, 86% containment)
Firefighters continuously monitor and strengthening containment lines on the south, east, and north sides of the fire. On the west side, crews are chipping and hauling slash near Sourgrass Mountain and tying back into the containment line on FSR 1925. Monitoring of the unburned fuel island near Alpine Ridge is ongoing.
Weather and Fire Behavior
Yesterday saw warmer and drier conditions as sunshine briefly returned to the region. Relative humidity levels dropped to between 50-60%, however, the fires within the complex experienced minimal growth. Today, expect partly sunny skies with temperatures ranging from 55 to 65 degrees. Later this evening, another storm system may bring rain overnight. Looking ahead, there is a chance of a wetting rain from Tuesday into Wednesday next week, with cooler-than-normal temperatures continuing. Overall, cool and moist conditions are anticipated.
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.
- For current Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR), visit: http://tfr.faa.gov.
- 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.
--
Willamette Complex North Update
Boulder Creek, Ore, Linton Creek, Pyramid, 374, and Roundtop Fires
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024
Willamette Complex North - Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565845313387
Email: 2024.WillametteComplex.North@firenet.gov Information line: 541-208-1262 Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Overview: Additional fire details are available today after skies cleared enough for crews to use aircraft and heat detection technology to get a sharper picture of the status of fires in the complex. Any increase in acres is due to interior burning. Crews are again taking advantage of opportunities to go direct on the fires. OR 126 was closed for safety but is now back to one lane only. A road closure continues for a section of OR 242. The fires remain under a full suppression strategy. Showers are expected this evening and overnight into Sunday. Light to moderate west wind up to 10 mph is expected with temperatures between 60-70 degrees in the complex.
Boulder Creek Fire Evacuation Notices
LEVEL 3 (GO NOW) EVACUATION NOTICE: Scott Creek Road
LEVEL 1 (BE READY) EVACUATION NOTICE:
South of Highway 126 from milepost 53.5 east to Scott Creek Road and Horse Creek Road east of Foley Springs, Foley Springs, Forest Service Road #302, Belknap Springs Road South, Camp Yale Road, Yale Lane, North of Highway 126 East from the east end of Drury Lane to the end of North Belknap Springs Road
Evacuation Notice Source: Visit www.LaneCountyOR.gov or use this link.
Boulder Creek: 511 acres, 0% contained
Located 5 miles east of McKenzie Bridge. Structure protection work is near completion. Crews are going direct on the fire where safe with a focus on areas near OR 126. Dozer work on the north portion of the fire continues.
Ore: 3,474 acres, 44% contained
Located 7 miles northeast of Blue River. Minimal fire activity. Chipping and removal of fuels continues. Successful firing operations below the 1509 Road were completed and successful in helping to contain the fire.
Linton Creek: 1,301 acres, 0% contained
Located in the Three Sisters Wilderness northeast of Eileen Lake. Heavy fuels continue to burn. Ground and aerial firefighting efforts are being used effectively to secure containment.
Pyramid: 1,311 Acres, 98% contained
East of Middle Santiam Wilderness. The Pyramid is holding within control lines. Securing containment line continues with chipping of burnable fuels. Infrared showed additional scattered heat across the interior of the fire, however only a few smokes were observed.
374: 58 acres, 0% contained
This fire is also in the Three Sisters Wilderness, northwest of Packsaddle Mountain. 14 smokejumpers remain assigned to the fire. Crews are going direct on the fire where possible and working on containment lines.
Roundtop: Less than one acre, 100% contained.
Near the 374 Fire and Little Roundtop Mountain. No heat detected.
Road Closures: OR 126 is now open to one-lane traffic between mileposts 13 and 19.5 (intersection with OR 242). OR 242 remains closed to all traffic indefinitely between the intersection with OR 126 and the Dee Wright Observatory (mileposts 55 to 75), in the area of the Linton Creek Fire. Use an alternate route; do not divert onto forest roads to avoid closures. Check for updates at: https://tripcheck.com/
Willamette National Forest Area Closures: Due to increased fire activity in the McKenzie River Ranger District, the Linton Creek Fire closure area was expanded to include Boulder Creek, 374, Roundtop, as well as other fires on the Middle Fork Ranger District including Young Grasshopper and Lowell Creek fires. Source: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd552029.
