Single Publication

HOMESTEAD COMPLEX 

 FIRE UPDATE 

Fire Information          Monday, August 5, 2024 

Phone: 541-208-7100 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) 

Email: 2024.homesteadcomplex@firenet.gov  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HomesteadComplexFireInfo 

Inciweb: http://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orupf-homestead-complex 

Smoke Outlook: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/d393fd74 

Clearer Air Allows for Increased Helicopter Support 

The Homestead Complex includes seven fires that total 2,673 acres and are currently 9% contained. There are 492 personnel currently working on the fire. Fire managers are directing resources to fires based on threats to property, infrastructure, industry, and areas with the highest probability of success.  

Yesterday, a Douglas Forest Protective Association helicopter took advantage of the clearing smoke to respond to firefighter requests for bucket drops. As the West continues to experience a very active fire year and firefighting resources are limited, sharing resources across agencies is essential for success. A warming and drying trend is forecasted across the fire area today, which may encourage more active fire behavior in parts of the Homestead Complex. As smoke decreases, fire managers are able to request air resources, such as helicopters, to drop water on these more active locations. 

The No Man Fire (993 acres) was fairly active on the north and west sides yesterday. Crews performed successful burning operations on the west flank of the fire. They will continue burn out operations today if conditions allow in order to remove unburned fuels between the fireline and the fire as well as decrease the risk of spot fires. Crews will be securing any spot fires and continue building contingency line. The priorities in this area remain protecting important values including private and forest timber, communications infrastructure, and wildlife habitat. 

Today crews on Horse Heaven Creek Fire (740 acres) will complete the handline between Forest Road 3831 and the 920 road to the north. They continue to strengthen the northwest line and evaluate contingency lines as a precaution. 

The north side of Bullpup Fire (258 acres) was active yesterday and is expected to continue to be active today. Crews are using infrared imaging to look for heat signatures and hot spots out on the ground and will work to maintain and improve the line on the 300 road. On the 200 road at Fuller Lake Fire (141 acres), heavy equipment and hand crews are removing brush and felling snags to prepare the road as an indirect line. 

On the Reynolds Butte Fire (302 acres), crews are continuing to mop up along the fire’s western edge and improve the line on the south side of the fire. On the Salmon 33 Fire (205 acres), crews are continuing to patrol and improve containment lines. The Lost Bucket Fire (34 acres) was contained on July 29 and continues to show minimal fire activity.  

Today is the last day for Great Basin CIMT #5. Beginning tomorrow morning, Northwest CIMT #8 will begin management of the Homestead Complex. 

Current forest fire restrictions and danger ratings are: Fire Danger Rating: Very High. Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPLs): 3. Public Use Fire Restrictions (PURs): 3. 

CLOSURES: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Roseburg District, has issued a closure order for portions of BLM land which border the Umpqua National Forest Emergency Fire Closure north of Steamboat. The closure order can be viewed here: https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2024-07/orwa-fpo-rbg-072624.pdf. Umpqua National Forest Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-24-03 and ORDER NO. 06-15-02-24-01 remain in effect and can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices.