Single Publication

HOMESTEAD COMPLEX FIRE UPDATE

 Monday, July 29, 2024 

Fire Information                                                                                                                                    

Phone: 208-713-9693 (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

Suppression Efforts Continue As Fire Activity Remains Moderated

The total acreage for all seven fires currently being overseen by Homestead Complex is 1,636 acres with 4% containment. Firefighters are utilizing both direct and indirect tactics in order to suppress the fire. Fires have been prioritized by threat to property, infrastructure, industry, and areas with the highest probability of success. There are currently 454 personnel assigned to the incident.

Temperatures today will be similar to yesterday with higher humidities in the upper elevations due to the incoming cloud systems. Cloud cover is expected to reach 100% by the end of the day, helping shade fuels and reduce fire activity and intensity. The increased humidity will also increase the drying time of fuels, helping reduce the fire’s rate of spread. Smoke will also be impacted by the cloud layer and dispersal will be poor. 

Yesterday fire activity increased on the Reynolds Butte Fire (212 acres). Torching trees caused the fire to spot over the dozer line. Two helicopters loaned by a nearby fire dropped five buckets of water on the spot fires to assist fire crews on the ground working to hold it within the dozer line.  An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) was used for aerial ignition to help widen control lines on the south side of the fire by burning, and therefore removing, fuels between the control line and the main body of the fire. 

Crews and cooperators continue to construct indirect fireline on the No Man Fire (591 acres). The fire has been active, with backing and short runs up the drainages towards the fireline. Hotshots have finished constructing fireline and hose lays around the Salmon 33 Fire (153 acres). Fire activity remains moderate to low, with only 11 acres of growth. Crews anticipate completing indirect fireline construction on the Horse Heaven Creek Fire (442 acres) today. Firefighters are also scouting for direct line opportunities.

Crews are improving fireline on the Bullpup Fire (133 acres) by clearing more brush. The fire increased in activity yesterday, due to lower humidities and greater windspeeds. The Fuller Lake Fire (71 acres) fire activity increased as it moved toward an area of down and dead vegetation, growing four acres.  This run is expected to be short lived as the fire works into an old burn scar. Crews continue to monitor and patrol the Lost Bucket Fire (34 acres), which remains within containment lines.

Current forest fire restrictions and danger ratings are: Fire Danger Rating: Very High. Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPLs): 3. Public Use Fire Restrictions (PURs): 2. 

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