Red Fire

July 26, 2024

Daily Fire Update

Online: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ordef-red-fire

** NEW ** Facebook – 2024 Red Fire Information

** NEW ** Fire Information Line: 541-208-1766, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM 

Email: 2024.red@firenet.gov

Red Fire Quick Facts

Size: 389 acres Origin: 5 miles west of Crescent Lake Junction, Oregon County: Klamath

Start Date: July 17, 2024 Cause: Lightning Containment: 0% Total Personnel: 179

Today’s Highlight: The Eastern Area Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT), led by Brian Jenkins, Incident Commander, assumed the management of the Red, Round and Wickiup fires at 6:00 a.m. on July 26, 2024. The Eastern Area CIMT expresses appreciation to the Southern Area Gray Team for their support to the firefighters, community, and Deschutes National Forest.

Operations: Firefighters continued to assess feasible locations for construction of control features in the vicinity of the Red Fire within the Diamond Peak Wilderness. Hand crews also continued work to manually reduce wildfire fuels near Crescent Lake along Forest Service Road 60 in the vicinity of recreational residences. To the southeast of the fire, outside the Wilderness, a task force, consisting of heavy equipment continued construction of a shaded fuel break along the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.

Shaded fuel breaks consist of an area along a road or rail line, where dense tree stand are thinned to reduce fire intensity while retaining enough shade to slow down ground fire. Decreasing tree density minimizes the potential for fire to spread through the crowns of trees. Shaded fuel breaks are a fundamental tool to manage wildfire risk in fire prone environments.

Today, firefighters will continue to monitor the fire within the Diamond Peak Wilderness and identify access routes suitable for fireline construction. Hand crews, engines, and heavy equipment will continue to construct the shaded fuel break along the west side of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and on the north side of Forest Service Road 60 southwest of the community of Crescent Lake Junction. Staff will continue to look for suitable routes that will allow them to extend this fuel break to the north.

Round Fire – Firefighters continue to work on mop up. The fire remains 108 acres and is 50 percent contained.

Wickiup Fire – Firefighters continue to work on mop up. The fire remains 168 acres and is 75 percent contained.

Closures – The Deschutes National Forest has implemented an emergency closure around Crescent Lake and in the Diamond Peak Wilderness. Closure information is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts- notices/?aid=89091

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

Fire Restrictions – Stage 2 Public Use Fire Restrictions which prohibit open fires, including in developed campgrounds, are in effect for the Deschutes National Forest. Visit the Deschutes National Forest’s website fs.usda.gov/detail/deschutes/home/?cid=stelprdb5297376 for more information. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level is currently Level IV “General Shutdown”.

Weather: Today, warmer, drier conditions are forecast with highs near 86 degrees. Widespread haze will cover the area in the morning followed by areas of smoke throughout the afternoon. Fire weather will continue to be moderate. Light winds out of the east will shift to west - northwest winds gusting to 15 mph in the afternoon. Relative humidity will be between 25 and 29 percent.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. If you fly, we can’t! Unauthorized drone flights pose serious risks to firefighter and public safety and will halt aerial operations and seriously impact fire suppression efforts.

Smoke: Smoke from the Red Fire and other area fires will continue to impact air quality. Air quality information can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

Actualización del incendio Easy       
26 de julio de 2024

Datos clave

Tamaño: 410 acres        

Fecha de inicio: 17 de julio de 2024      

Ubicación: 17 millas al oeste de Mazama, WA
Contención: 0%              

Personal asignado: 120             

Causa: Rayos

Recursos asignados:  2 cuadrillas, 5 camiones de bomberos

SITUACIÓN ACTUAL: El incendio Easy arde entre árboles grandes y densos, muchos árboles muertos y vegetación de suelo en un terreno muy escarpado. Se ha moderado la actividad del fuego cerca de la carretera estatal 20 y ha habido una actividad continua dentro de la huella del incendio en el extremo norte y sur del incendio. El miércoles y jueves los bomberos trabajaron con el Departamento de transporte de Washington (WSDOT) para remover los escombros y los árboles caídos de la carretera. Se reevalúa regularmente el cierre de la carretera regularmente, así que asegúrese de consultar el mapa de viajes del WSDOT para obtener actualizaciones a lo largo del día.

Ayer, los bomberos continuaron preparando líneas de mano indirectas, conectándolas a rasgos naturales como toboganes de avalanchas y huellas de incendios anteriores. Como parte de los preparativos del cortafuego, las cuadrillas están instalando mangueras y sistemas de rociadores tanto en el extremo sur como en el norte. Además, establecieron con éxito helipuntos en el lado norte del incendio que permitirán un acceso adicional en caso de emergencia.

ACTIVIDADES DE HOY: Las cuadrillas continuarán trabajando con el Departamento de transporte de Washington para remover árboles caídos y los escombros de los lados de la carretera 20. También continuarán preparando la línea y el trabajo de talar en el extremo norte y sur del incendio Easy. Las cuadrillas están buscando oportunidades para realizar operaciones de quema estratégicas y así quemar la vegetación entre el incendio y el cortafuego construido. También están desarrollando un plan de operaciones aéreas para proteger las estructuras en la torre Mebee Lookout Tower si se requieren tales medidas por causa del fuego.

CLIMA: Las temperaturas hoy aumentarán un poco con máximas entre los 85 a 89 grados. Se espera que la humedad se modere hoy y el fin de semana. Disminuirán los vientos hoy con una dirección noroeste alrededor de 7 mph. La tendencia de enfriamiento continuará el fin de semana junto con menores vientos.

CIERRES: La carretera estatal 20 está cerrada actualmente como resultado de la actividad de fuego y escombros en la carretera. Hoy se reevaluará este cierre para ver si hay posibilidades en que se puede abrir parcialmente o totalmente la carretera. Asegúrese de consultar https://wsdot.com/Travel/Real-time/Map/ para obtener la información más reciente sobre el estado de cierre de la carretera.

El Bosque Nacional Okanogan-Wenatchee tiene órdenes de cierre en los senderos dentro del área afectada por el incendio: https://bit.ly/EasyFireClosures. Este cierre incluye una parte del sendero Pacific Crest Trail. Las fogatas están prohibidas. Hay una restricción temporal de vuelo (TFR, en inglés) sobre el área del incendio: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_6779.html. La actividad de drones no autorizados está prohibida por la TFR. 

EVACUACIONES:  No existen órdenes de evacuación para el incendio Easy. Cualquiera que utilice la zona para recrearse debe estar atento a su entorno y permanecer fuera de las áreas cerradas. 

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/waowf-easy-fire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560760893080 

Línea de información sobre el incendio: 541-861-5808, de 8 AM a 8 PM

Correo electrónico: 2024.pioneer@firenet.gov

Big Horn Fire

11:00 AM, July 26, 2024

Estimated size: 49,063 acres

Containment: 21%

Start Date/Time: 7/22/2024 at 1:07 PM

Area of Origin: 7 miles SE of Bickleton, WA

Cause: Undetermined                                            

Structures Damaged: 4

Update: Overnight crews worked to establish a stronger fire perimeter and monitor areas of concern.  With cooler temperatures and reduced winds, the fire stayed within the existing boundaries. 

Additional resources have arrived and are aiding the suppression efforts. Today’s weather brings lower temperatures, lower winds and an increase in relative humidity.  All of which work together to reduce the fire’s growth potential. These favorable conditions will assist the firefighters as they continue to improve existing control lines around the fire. 

For today’s shift, firefighters will be concentrating on improving and installing additional control lines in all divisions of the fire.  Work will also focus on mitigating any safety hazards or impacts to the public.  Night shift operations will continue tonight.

Evacuation Levels: Evacuation levels remain in effect. Please visit Klickitat County Emergency Management’s website or check Facebook:

• https://www.klickitatcounty.org/249/Emergency-Management
• https://www.facebook.com/KlickitatDEM911

Road Closures: East Road is closed from the Town of Bickleton south to Middle Road. Hwy 14 from the Town of Roosevelt to Alderdale Road. Alderdale Road from Linda Lane south to the intersection with SR 14. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: Cooler temperatures and lower winds last night and into today. Warm and dry conditions continue with wind gusts around 10 mph. 

Smoke: Satellite imagery this morning shows large swaths of smoke across the region.  With the large number of fires in the Pacific NW and continued westerly flow, smoke impacts should be expected in central and eastern Washington through the weekend. New Air Quality Alerts are in place for Klickitat, Benton, Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield, and Asotin counties.  If you are near fire locations, please stay up to date on evacuation orders.

While there are no current air quality alerts for Klickitat County, communities close to active wildfires could see air quality worsen as the fire and wind conditions change. Critical fire weather continues across Central and Eastern Washington; please continue to recreate responsibly as any fire starts could spread quickly. For more information on smoke and air quality, please visit: Washington Smoke Information (wasmoke.blogspot.com)

Shelter: An American Red Cross Shelter has been opened in neighboring Benton County and is currently assisting individuals and families that are displaced by the fire.

Patterson Elementary School

51409 Prior Ave

Patterson, WA 99345

Resources: Multiple overhead, strikes teams, aircraft and dozers are currently responding to the fire. 

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Actualización diaria del incendio Pioneer                                

26 de julio de 2024

Datos clave

Tamaño: 31,906 acres           

Fecha de inicio: 8 de junio de 2024         

Ubicación: 31 millas al NO de Chelan, WA

Contención: 14%                              

Personal: 766                       

Causa:De origen humano, a ser determinada

Recursos asignados: 12 cuadrillas, 5 helicópteros, 24 camiones de bomberos, 28 tanques de agua, 12 maquinarias pesadas

SITUACIÓN ACTUAL: Ayer la actividad del fuego se moderó a lo largo de la orilla del lago y los helicópteros vertieron agua para minimizar más la propagación del fuego. Las cuadrillas continuaron el trabajo de fuego estratégico alrededor de casas y dependencias alrededor de DP 17 cerca de Flick Creek y patrullaron el área para asegurarse de que no quedaran rastros calor por las operaciones de quema anteriores. En Stehekin, los bomberos continuaron mejorando el cortafuego alrededor del pueblo y trabajaron junto con los recursos movilizados del estado, e instalaron un sistema de rociadores y lo pusieron a prueba. El extremo sur del incendio sigue en su lugar en Lone Fir Creek y las cuadrillas trabajaron en las líneas de contingencia indirecta al sur del incendio.

La logística en el incendio Pioneer requiere un nivel adicional de coordinación debido a las comunidades remotas y el acceso. Los bomberos en las zonas de incendio del norte y la orilla del lago están siendo apoyados por barcos que los llevan al área del incendio y llevan provisiones para combatir el fuego. Además, la gestión del incendio está trabajando con empresas locales en Stehekin para proporcionar comidas y otros apoyos a las cuadrillas que trabajan en esa área.

ACTIVIDADES DE HOY: Hoy continuará el trabajo de extinción y contención por todo el incendio Pioneer. A lo largo del perímetro noroeste del incendio, los bomberos se están preparando para llevar a cabo el trabajo de quema estratégica adicional para quemar la vegetación entre la línea y el fuego activo. Los drones pudieran ser utilizados en este trabajo y los bomberos trabajarán por la noche para patrullar el área y apoyar posibles operaciones de quema. Los helicópteros brindarán agua para enfriar el fuego y limitar su propagación. En Stehekin, los equipos de bomberos continuarán mejorando el cortafuego construido alrededor de la comunidad y coordinando con el grupo de protección de estructuras movilizadas del estado que está trabajando alrededor de casas y propiedades privadas. Al sur, las cuadrillas estarán mejorando las carreteras cerca de Gold Creek y Oss Peak.

CLIMA: Regresarán hoy condiciones más caliente y secas, con temperaturas máximas a los 85 grados. Mañana los vientos serán más ligeros y mayormente impulsados por el terreno, y cambiarán lago abajo o al noroeste por la noche.

EVACUACIONES:  Los niveles 1, 2 y 3 de evacuación alrededor del incendio Pioneer no han cambiado. Visite https://t.ly/QoH9w para tener más información.

CIERRE DEL BOSQUE: Cierres vigentes del Parque nacional North Cascades: https://www.nps.gov/noca/index.htm

El Bosque Nacional Okanogan-Wenatchee ha emitido una orden de cierre sobre gran parte del área afectada por el incendio: https://bit.ly/PioneerClosure. Las fogatas están prohibidas. Hay una restricción temporal de vuelo (TFR, en inglés) sobre el área del incendio: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_6779.html. La actividad de drones no autorizados está prohibida por la TFR.

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wases-pioneer 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560760893080 

Línea de información sobre el incendio: 541-861-5808, de 8 AM a 8 PM

Correo electrónico: 2024.pioneer@firenet.gov 

Update for Swawilla and Bridge Creek Fires
•    Evacuation areas remain at a Level 3 around the Swawilla Fire.
•    Highway 155 remains open.  See chart for closures.
See Inciweb Site for locations and evacuation boundaries.

The Incident Team will host a community meeting on Friday, July 26 at 7pm at the Nespelem Head Start Center, 19 Wenatchi St.

Swawilla Fire

FIRE ACTIVITY: Fortunately, Thursday’s forecast winds were not as strong as predicted and the fire was less active than feared. High temperatures and low humidity did allow it to grow, just more modestly. More seasonable weather with a lighter west/southwest wind should be around through the weekend. The line along the Swawilla Basin, at the heel of the fire, is considered contained. Along the Peter Dan Road, firefighters were able to do point protection around structures and were supported by retardant drops. The fire made one attempt to cross the Peter Dan road and was stopped by a Type 1 hot shot crew. On the other side of the fire, flames pushed against the lower Manilla Road but did not cross it. Fire moved into some of the drainages southwest of Keller and made its way to the top of Mt.Tolman. It is now backing down the north side towards Meadow Creek. Fuels on this side of the mountain are greener, slowing progression.

The priority of fire management continues to be life and structure protection, however the incoming, more moderate weather after the cold front, provides a good opportunity for more direct attack on the fire. Crews are scouting for terrain features, such as old roads and dozer lines, to continue containment line efforts to reduce further spread to the east.

More resources are showing up daily and some are able to shift from the Bridge Creek Fire to support actions on the Swawilla Fire. A night shift and a swing shift are in place allowing for around-the-clock work on the line. These firefighters, engines, machinery and firefighting infrastructure require more space to house so the Forward Operating Base (FOB) has moved from Keller to a 20 acre camp near the intersection of Agency Cutoff Road and Cache Creek Road. The Incident Command Post remains at the Nespelem Community Center.

Even with the favorable change in the weather, forecasting models still indicate a chance that the fire will reach the town of Keller, push towards the Cache Creek Road, and impact the Buffalo Lake area. For this reason, evacuations remain in place. Community leaders are regularly evaluating these orders with the incident management team. The team appreciates the community’s patience with this process.

An evacuation center is open at the Lake Roosevelt High School gym in Coulee Dam. The shelter at the Paschal Sherman Indian School in Omak is full. Keller Ferry is open only for limited service to assist with evacuations.

Bridge Creek Fire
The Bridge Creek Fire is looking good. Firefighters are monitoring the line and working to extinguish hot spots on the east side of the fire. Opening the Bridge Creek Road is a priority and crews are focusing significant time in removing fire weakened trees that may fall on Bridge Creek Road and threaten the safety of the public when the road opens. 
 

Diamond Complex fire managers will host a question-and-answer session on Saturday July 27th, at 10:30am at the Diamond Lake Resort. Fire staff will be on hand to answer community questions. Diamond Lake Resort is located at 350 Resort Drive, Diamond Lake, OR 97731

July 26, 2024

**Diamond Complex Q & A session at Diamond Lake Resort, 10:30 am, Saturday July 27, 2024. Fire staff on hand to answer community questions.**

A large-scale lightning event on July 16 started several fires on the Diamond Lake Ranger District of the Umpqua National Forest. The fires are being managed as the Diamond Complex. It consists of 24 fires and an estimated 4,166 acres with 3% containment and 395 personnel assigned. 

Nationally and in the Pacific Northwest, fire activity is putting an extreme demand on firefighting resources. The highest priority remains public and firefighter safety and protecting infrastructure and homes.

The fires are being managed under a full suppression strategy. This means that crews engage in direct attack on the fires’ edge where access and firefighter safety allow. They are implementing indirect strategies using constructed control lines and utilizing natural barriers where direct attack cannot be done safely.  Pacific Power and Light (PP&L) infrastructure within the complex continues to be a top priority for protection as crew attack fires threatening those resources. 

The Trail fire, east of Hwy 138 on the west slope of Mt. Thielsen, is 830 acres and  5% contained. Crews continue to keep the fire within the current control lines and minimize impacts to the recreational values around Diamond Lake. 

The Lemolo fire, north of Lemolo Lake on Bunker Hill, is 627 acres and 0% contained. Crews will continue to complete dozer line on the east flank and look for opportunities to implement control lines north of the fire to protect recreational values around Lemolo Lake.

The Pine Bench fire, north of Hwy 138 near Dry Creek, is 1,546 acres and 0% contained. Crew will patrol and continue to hold the 4775 road and hold and mop up any new spot fires. 

Watson fire, north of Hwy 138 on Watson Ridge fire is 166 acres and 0% contained and the Loafer fire at 24 acres and 0% contained. Crews have been making great progress with the limited resources available. They will begin direct line construction and hose lay today and continue to fortify lines. 

There are smaller clusters of fires within the complex that consist of: Pig Iron, 27 acres and 25% contained, near Pig Iron Mountain north of Hwy 138; Brodie, 98 acres and 0% contained,  about 5 miles south of Hwy 138 and south of Devils Canyon; Trep, 109 acres and 0% contained, about 4 miles south of Hwy 138; Garwood, 5 acres and 65% contained, about 3 miles southwest of Mt. Bailey; Slide, 0.1 acres and 90% contained, northeast of Pine Bench;  Potter, 504 acres and 0% contained,  north of Hwy 138 about 2 miles southeast of Potter Mt.;  Ooya, 136 acres and 0% contained, north of Hwy 138 about 1 mile northeast of Bird Point; Clearwater, 1 acre and 90% contained, south of Hwy 138 about 5 miles northwest of Diamond Lake;  Elephant, 0.7 acres and 0% contained, 2 miles southwest of Lemolo Lake; Lost Bear, 5 acres and 0% contained, 2 miles south of Hwy 138;  Lost, 14 acres and 0% contained, 4 miles south of Hwy 138;  Sheep, 0.3 acres and 0% contained, 3 miles north of Diamond Lake;  Thin, 1 acre and 0% contained, four miles northwest of Diamond Lake; Trap, 4 acres and 0% contained, 1 mile south of Hwy 138 near Trap Mountain; Bear Trap, 45 acres and 0% contained, 2 miles south of Hwy 138 near Bear Trap Mountain;  Campwood, 8 acres and 0% contained, 2 miles south of Hwy 138;  Rough, 8 acres and 0% contained, two miles south of Hwy 138,  Birds, 10 acres and 0% contained, Wood, 2 acres and 0% contains, 2 miles south of Hwy 138; and  Mowich, 1 acre and 0% contained, 1 mile north of Hwy 138. 

Today, firefighters will continue direct suppression on accessible fires, and will develop specific suppression strategies for other less accessible fires to be carried out as resources become available.

Weather: Today will be slightly cooler with higher humidity and lighter winds. While these conditions favor firefighting, very dry forest fuels and steep terrain will still allow persistent fire spread.

Fire Behavior: Fire will likely remain active especially as temperatures increase into the afternoon hours. Short uphill runs are through surface fuels and some torching potential remains in areas with heavier fuel loads. 

Smoke Outlook: Smoke continues to impact the region. For the most up to date information, please visit www.fire.airnow.gov 

Closures and Evacuations: Umpqua National Forest has issued two closures across the forest in response to fire activity to protect public and wildland firefighter safety. Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-24-03 and Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-02-24-01 which impact all of the Cottage Grove Ranger District, most of the Diamond Lake Ranger District, and parts of the Tiller and North Umpqua Ranger Districts. The closure orders can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices. Additionally, Diamond Lake, Thielsen View, and Broken Arrow Campgrounds are closed through July 28, 2024, and will be reevaluated closer to that date. Fire danger is set at High and Public Use Restrictions are set at Level 2: https://bit.ly/3xIZZdK. 

Douglas County Sheriff has issued a Level 3: GO NOW and Level 2: BE SET for the Trail Fire and Lemolo Fire. There is a Level 2: BE SET for the Pine Bench Fire. Please see detailed information here: www.dcso.com/evacuations.  

 

TEMPORARY AREA AND ROADS CLOSURE FOR THE TANQUES WILDFIRE

Prohibited/Not Allowed

The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and roads in the Cuba Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest:

1. Going into or being upon an area. 36 C.F.R. § 261 .53 (e). 
2. Using any motor vehicle on the roads(s) described below. 36 C.F.R. § 261 .54(a).

Review the closure order for any exemptions.

Described Area (Prohibited/Closed Area and Roads)

Roads: 

• The described roads include FR313 from the junction of FR313 and FR517 to the junction of FR313 and FR515.
• FR515 from the junction of FR515 and FR313 to the junction of FR515 and FR514J.
• FR514J from the junction of FR514J and FR515 to FR514. FR514 from the junction of FR514J and FR514 to the junction of FR514 and FR517.
• FR517 from the junction of FR517 and FR514 to the junction of FR517 and FR313.

Lands: 

• All National Forest Service lands within the described area which starts at the junction of Forest Roads 513 and 515.
• It follows FR 513 northwest to the junction of FR 517.
• It follows FR 517 south to the junction of FR 514, then follows FR 514 east to the junction with FR 514J.
• It follows FR 514J east to the junction of FR 515, then follows FR 515 back to the junction with FR 313.

Purpose: Protecting Public Safety

The purpose of this Order is to protect the public's health and safety during the firefighting operations for the Tanques Wildfire.

Effective Dates

This Order shall be in effect from July 26, 2024, at 8 a.m. through August 31, 2024, at 12 a.m., unless rescinded.For More Information

For More Information

• Cuba Ranger District Office in Cuba, NM, (575) 289-3264
• Santa Fe National Forest Supevisor's Office in Santa Fe, (505) 438-5300

Fire Update – Oakridge Lightning Fires

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

Friday, July 26, 2024 – 9:00 a.m.

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1

Dan Dallas, Incident Commander

Information Phone: (541) 208-1742

Email: 2024.mossmountain@firenet.gov

Information Staffing Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Special Note: A community meeting will be held this evening at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Oakridge High School, 47997 W 1st St. Oakridge, OR. Fire managers and local officials will provide the latest updates on fire activity and suppression efforts. Parking at the high school is limited, please plan accordingly.

Current Situation: Oakridge Lightning fires continue to grow with low to moderate spread. Firefighters are making good progress with limited available resources as they continue to build and strengthen line in areas of highest concern. Priority fires remain the Chalk, Coffeepot, Moss Mountain, and 208 fires. The McKinley, Tire Mountain, and 217 fires are showing minimal activity and are not posing an immediate threat to valued resources. The total acreage of the seven fires is 5,027 acres with 583 personnel assigned.

Information for the seven fires making up the Oakridge Lightning Fire group is provided below. Each fire is divided into lettered divisions, for better management and safer operations. Firefighting activities and suppression actions are provided in detail for each division. Note that Division letters do not always run sequentially so that new Divisions may be added if the fire grows.

Chalk Fire (2,916 acres, 0% contained) – Crews continue to build and secure line to hold the fire as well as to provide additional options for future strategic containment operations. Expect to see increased smoke as work progress on this fire.

Division AA: Firefighters continue to take aggressive suppression action on the southern part of the Chalk Fire to protect the communities of Oakridge and Westfir.  These actions include low to moderate intensity firing operations and constructing fire line with bulldozers and other heavy equipment.

Division KK: Crews prepared for a possible firing operation later today with favorable conditions. The firing operation will tie in previous prep work to strengthen containment line on the southern part of the Chalk Fire.

Division TT: A small low-intensity firing operation is being prepared for north side of the Chalk Fire to secure options for tying in this area of the fire with the 2021 Gales Fire footprint.

Coffeepot Fire (1,687acres, 0% contained) – The Coffeepot Fire gained approximately 375 acres yesterday due to receptive heavy fuels located in rugged terrain aligned with prevailing northwesterly winds.

Division PP: Crews working on the southern part of the Coffeepot Fire are constructing and preparing line to secure the fire north of privately held land, protecting those values at risk.

Division RR: Heavy equipment and hand crews are working to build new line and strengthen existing line on the north side of the Coffeepot Fire. Work continues to tie in this section of the fire with Division WW, providing for future strategic operations.

Division WW: Prep work continues in this division to build line and scout for areas where firefighters will have a high probability of success in holding the Coffeepot Fire west of Hills Creek.

Moss Mountain Fire (201 acres, 0% contained) –Steep, rugged terrain continues to make access the Moss Mountain Fire difficult to access. Fire growth was minimal yesterday.

Division SS: This new division was created to scout and place resources where there is a high probability of success.

Division WW: Crews working in this division are preparing line and scouting for future options.

208 Fire (138 acres, 0% contained) – Division YY: Aerial imaging gathered yesterday confirmed that the 208 Fire is burning in fuels mostly surrounded by rocky terrain, with little chance of spread under current and forecasted wind conditions.

217 Fire (38 acres, 0% contained) – Division YY: This fire gained one acre yesterday. There is some threat for the fire to spread north of the Wilderness boundary. Smokejumpers continue their work of securing line and mopping up.

Tire Mountain Fire (20 acres) – Division TT: Fireline completed, minimal activity yesterday as the fire backed toward containment lines. Crews will continue to patrol this fire; some will be reassigned to higher priority divisions.

McKinley Fire (27 acres) – Division AA: Fireline completed, crews continue to mop up and secure fireline as they work toward full containment. Crews will continue to patrol this fire; some will be reassigned to higher priority divisions.

 Weather and Fire Behavior:

Smoke settled in across the Oakridge Lightning Fires this morning, which will lessen fire activity until the afternoon, when the smoke lifts and the sun provides receptive fuel more energy to burn at greater intensity. Temperatures will remain in the 70-80s with relative humidity hovering around 30-42%. Expect to see an increase in activity between 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 Evacuations:

For evacuation information please visit: https://www.LaneCountyOR.gov/2024wildfires
To sign up for evacuation alerts please visit: https://www.LaneAlerts.org

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 use to restrict traffic in the areas near High Prairie and Chalk Mountain.

For specific closure information follow this link:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd552029

Fire restrictions on the Willamette National Forest may be found at this link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=81487

Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

 Fire Statistics

Total Personnel: 583

Location: N & S of Oakridge, OR

Cause: Lightning

For More Information

Information Phone: (541) 208-1742

Email: 2024.mossmountain@firenet.gov

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-oakridge-lightning-fires-2024

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakridgeLightningFires2024/

Falls and Telephone Fires Update for July 26, 2024 

Falls Fire Quick Facts:  

Size: 141,927 Start Date: July 10, 2024 Location: 13 Miles NW of Burns, OR 

Containment: 55% Total Personnel: 1,558 Cause: Human-caused, under investigation 

Structures Triaged: Residences: 377; Commercial: 118 Outbuildings: 677 

Resources Assigned: 38 hand crews, 79 engines, 24 bulldozers, 25 water tenders 

Aerial resources available to the fire: two helicopters, and single-engine air tankers (SEATS) 

Telephone Fire Quick Facts: 

Size: 12,180 Start Date: July 22, 2024 Location: 12 miles NE of Burns, OR 

Containment: 0% Total Personnel: Staffed by Falls Fire personnel Cause: Lightning/Natural 

New Fire Activity Quick Facts: 

Whiskey Mountain: 2,565 acres; Cow Creek: 85 acres; Sand: 2,733 acres; Parasol: 353 acres; Poison: 39.6

Alaska Complex Incident Management Team 1 assumed command of Falls and Telephone Fires at 6:00 am Friday morning and remains in Unified Command with Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM).

Thursday afternoon, strong afternoon winds coupled with extremely dry fuels increased fire behavior on the Telephone Fire.  Several new fire starts were located to the east of Falls Fire in the Parasol Butte area. Evacuation levels were issued and extended due to the new starts and Telephone Fire’s move across FSR28.

Crews assigned to the Falls Fire responded to new starts and the expanding Telephone Fire, along with aerial resources, to minimize the impact of fire growth. Structure protection crews quickly mobilized and also responded to the area. Telephone Fire has grown 3,000 acres and moved further to the southeast overnight and is approximately 4 miles north of Hwy 20.

Falls Fire: On Thursday, control lines continued to hold in areas where homes were previously threatened, including the Red Hill area and the Izee community. Prep has been completed by wildland and structure crews within the area directly adjacent to the Sand Fire, where the fire is steadily moving away from structures. This allowed OSFM assets to shift to the Telephone Fire, as fire activity moved to the northeast. Structural assets also continue to patrol the Highway 395 corridor, protecting properties to both the east and west. Structure crews responded alongside wildland resources to the Parasol Butte area to address structural protection related to multiple new fires in the area. This work continued overnight, with crews identifying structures and evaluating protection needs.

Crews on the southern and western perimeter continued to reinforce control line and mopped up additional hot spots. On the western side, firefighters conducted burn operations to tie the Whiskey Mountain Fire into the Falls Fire. Fire crews utilized direct attack and firing operations to protect resources to the west, including Izee.  To the northwest, firefighters worked to tie together portions of control line using dozers and hand crews. On the northeast side, crews advanced fireline on the FSR31, moving west along Lonesome Creek with the assistance of heavy equipment. On the eastern edge, work progressed along FSR31, with fuel removal and mop up.

Today, crews will continue to mop up and hold areas on the south end of the Falls Fire. To the west, direct and indirect firing tactics will be used to tie Whiskey Mountain Fire into the Falls Fire and existing road lines.

Telephone Fire: On Thursday, the fire experienced significant growth to the south and southeast and crossed FSR28 and Military Road. The fire has crossed Cow Creek, as well as Little Cow Creek. Crews remained engaged in suppression efforts and worked alongside night shift for several hours. The plan for Friday is to continue tying in firelines in the north and to look for opportunities to anchor the fire near FSR28.

Focus has shifted the structural resources north of Highway 20, throughout the Cow Creek area and continuing east. Overnight, OSFM assets assigned to the Telephone Fire continued to patrol the structures to the south and southeast of the fire area. Friday, crews will continue to identify, assess and begin to prep homes in the area affected by the updated level 3 evacuation zone. This work is being prioritized on homes directly adjacent to the fireline.

Although Thursday was another active day, the threat to structures does still continue to trend downward. As part of the structure risk reduction, the number of surveyed and prepped structures has increased. This means that the location of structures is mapped, ensuring crews will know the best access routes, should they become threatened. The prep work that has been completed ranges from surface to full prep, depending on proximity to the fire. These extensive efforts help mitigate the risk to structures should the fire front move through the area.

New Starts: There were multiple new fires reported Thursday inside the Falls and Telephone Fire Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) area. Resources assigned to the Falls Fire engaged in initial attack (IA). The largest of these starts is the Parasol Fire, located near Parasol Butte. It is estimated at around 353 acres. An additional start located near Poison Creek, was approximately 40 acres. Resources from multiple locations from the Falls Fire were assigned to both new starts. Firefighters will remain on the Parasol and Poison fires Friday and will work direct on the fire’s edge where possible. Firefighters assigned to the fires around the Falls Fire will respond to any new starts.

The Sand Fire, which is burning near Sand Mountain north of the Falls Fire, was discovered yesterday. Air resources assisted ground forces with suppression efforts and made steady progress throughout the day. OSFM Task Forces provided structural protection. Crews took advantage of cooler night temperatures to conduct strategic firing operations, in conjunction with heavy equipment, to create control lines. OSFM crews will work to complete protection work on structures in the vicinity.

Weather: Smoky conditions will continue through the morning.  An inversion layer sits over the fire and is expected to lift by early afternoon. Temperatures will remain slightly lower today and will stay in the mid-80’s. Skies will generally be clear by afternoon. Like Thursday, northwesterly winds will become westerly and breezier in the afternoon before returning to northeasterly. Gusty winds can be expected over the fire again later today.

Evacuations: Evacuations remain in place in both Grant and Harney Counties and have expanded to include Level 3 evacuations due to the Telephone, Parasol and Poison Fires. For the most accurate evacuation information, please visit the Harney County Sheriff’s evacuation map here: https://tinyurl.com/3zst4sjy, or the Grant County Emergency Management Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068819321423. 

Closures: Due to active wildfires compounded by extremely unfavorable weather conditions, limited firefighting resources and County Resources, Malheur National Forest officials have temporarily closed lands within the Malheur National Forest.

Investigation: U.S. Forest Service fire investigators are seeking the public’s assistance with any tips or information pertinent to the start of the Falls Fire on the Malheur National Forest. Please submit any information that could assist fire investigation efforts to SM.FS.R6TipHotLine@usda.gov.   

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Falls-Fire-2024-61562126623985/ 

Falls Fire InciWeb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ormaf-falls-fire 

Telephone Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ormaf-telephone-fire 

Fire Information Line: 541-208-4370, staffed 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Email: 2024.Falls@firenet.gov 

Harney County non-emergency evacuation questions: 541-589-5579 

Air quality questions: 541-573-2271  

Smoke Outlooks: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook