DURKEE FIRE

• Size: 294,265 acres 
• Containment: 95% 
• Location: 1 mile west of Durkee, OR
• Start Date: July 17, 2024 
• Personnel: 337 
• Cause: Lightning

Current Situation

This will be the final update for the Durkee Fire unless the situation changes dramatically.

The Southern Area Gold Team will transition the Durkee Fire back to the local units at 8 p.m. PDT.

Incident Commander Paul Varnedoe would like to thank the Vale District of the Bureau of Land Management, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, the Baker County Sheriff’s Office, the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, the Oregon Department of Forestry, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal.

Today’s weather conditions continue to be ideal for new fire starts, especially outside of the Durkee Fire footprint; please remain vigilant in respecting closures and fire restrictions to help prevent human-caused wildfires.

Yesterday, firefighters increased containment to 95% using infrared data and an unmanned aircraft system (UAS or drone) to identify and extinguish hotspots. Fire crews continued to patrol and secure fire lines, with an emphasis on the north and northwestern portions of the fire. Crews worked in coordination with resource advisors to repair areas disturbed by wildfire suppression operations. Crews finished removing most surplus equipment for transport to a federal incident support cache for maintenance and repair before use on future incidents.

Today, crews will continue patrolling for any residual heat, supporting suppression repair, and mapping dozer and handlines for future repair. Firefighters and aircraft are available for initial attack if needed.

Weather and Fire Behavior

Today is a critical fire weather day. Fire weather and fire conditions are elevated due to today’s hot, dry weather and low relative humidity. This prolonged period of above average temperatures and dry conditions is expected to continue as well as the increase in fire danger. Relative humidity will be in the single digits today. The fire potential outside the fire footprint is higher than the potential inside the footprint.

Evacuations

The Baker County Sheriff’s Office (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064434892363) has issued evacuation orders for multiple areas during the Durkee Fire. The Malheur County Sheriff’s Office (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069245917855) has lifted all evacuation orders for the Durkee Fire in Malheur County only. Please stay tuned to their Facebook pages for the latest information.
Residents in Level 3 Evacuations “GO NOW” should leave immediately and not return to their property until evacuation levels are lowered. Carry enough supplies to support you and your family for multiple days. A real-
time map of fire evacuations is available on the State of Oregon Fire Dashboard (https://www.arcgis.com/apps/instant/portfolio/index.html?appid=22d04c007866419c91ccf00d097526c8).

Closures

• The Baker County Sheriff's Office has closed Burnt River Canyon Road to non-local, non-emergency traffic.
• I-84 and other highways: Please go to tripcheck.com for current road closures as the situation is subject to change.
• A burn ban is currently in effect for all of Malheur County (https://www.malheurco.org/category/public-notices), and all Bureau of Land Management lands in Malheur and Baker counties. The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest remains in public use restrictions and IFPL4.
• The temporary flight restriction has been rescinded over the Durkee Fire.

Additional Resources

• For current air quality information, visit fire.airnow.gov.
• Weather and fire behavior could impact transportation, power transmission, cell service and other utilities. Monitor IdahoPower.com for information.
• Post-fire resources for eastern Oregon livestock and agricultural producers are available. For immediate assistance associated with livestock, forage, and crop losses contact your county’s USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. Learn more about these and other disaster relief programs at www.farmers.gov/protection-recovery/wildfire and contact your FSA Service Center.
• For technical expertise regarding livestock, post-fire rehabilitation and land management, call Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center at (541) 573-8900.
• Questions related to agriculture and natural resources, family and community health, and more may be directed to the OSU Extension Service office in your county (https://extension.oregonstate.edu/find-us).
• If you don’t have access to a computer and/or internet connection, Extension offices house Ag Disaster Relief Resource Computers, which are available to producers to access federal/state relief programs.
• Oregon Wildfire Response & Recovery website (wildfire.oregon.gov/recovery) provides guidance on topics including wildfire insurance, filing a homeowners claim after the fire, returning to a home that survived a fire, replacing lost or missing documents and next steps for people whose homes or businesses burned.
• For longer term management needs, contact the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) field office in your county to explore current funding/technical support available and inform future program offerings in your county. Go to www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/oregon/whats-available-in-my-county.

Fire

Crews continue to construct indirect handlines while helicopters with buckets drop water directly on active fire. Today, clear sky, variable wind, and temperatures in the upper 80s are expected on the Whisky Creek Fire. Heavy smoke from the Williams Mine fire near Mt Adams could impact flight operations. The Whisky Creek Fire is currently 1335 acres.

Los equipos continúan construyendo líneas de contención indirectas mientras que los helicópteros con cubos de agua la dejan caer directamente sobre el fuego activo. Hoy se espera cielo despejado, viento variable y temperaturas en los 30 grados Celsius en el Incendio de Whisky Creek. El humo denso del incendio de la Mina Williams cerca del Monte Adams podría afectar las operaciones de vuelo. El Incendio de Whisky Creek tiene actualmente una extensión de 1335 acres.

Smoke

A shift in winds will bring smoke from the Williams Mine Fire to the Columbia Gorge area. Winds will lighten and become terrain-driven, and air quality in general will be between Moderate and Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.

Un cambio en los vientos traerá humo del incendio de la Mina Williams al área de Columbia Gorge. Los vientos se suavizarán y serán impulsados por el terreno, y la calidad del aire en general estará entre Moderado e Insalubre para Grupos Sensibles.

Fire Update –Willamette Complex (South Zone)

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

Wednesday, August 7, 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

There will be a community meeting for the Willamette Complex (Oakridge Lightning Fires), Ore, Slate, and Pyramid Fires on Thursday August 8th at 6:00 pm. The meeting will take place at the Thurston High School Auditorium at 333 58th St, Springfield. California CIMT13 will assume management of the Pyramid, Slate, and Ore Fires on Thursday morning, and these fires will be collectively referred to as the North Zone of the Willamette Complex. Alaska CIMT3 will assume management of the remaining fires (South Zone of the Willamette Complex) on Saturday morning as the Rocky Mountain CIMT1 reaches the end of our extended tour of duty.

Ore Fire Information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-ore-fire

Pyramid and Slate Fire Information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-pyramid-and-slate-fires

Current Situation

Yesterday’s weather again presented conditions favorable for firefighters to make good progress on fireline construction and removal of fuels through low intensity firing operations. Similar operations will continue today, but under much drier conditions as a very dry airmass moved into the area overnight. Crews will carefully assess conditions as the day progresses and continue to use firing operations to clean up fuels only where prudent. Meanwhile, hand crews and heavy equipment will continue the job of establishing new control lines where needed, and reinforcing and patrolling firelines where they already exist.

Chalk Fire

Division AA: The Firing Group used the UAS (drone) yesterday to complete firing of the indirect line and develop additional fireline depth on the west side of the fire. The Firing Group worked late into the evening on this operation. A few small spots occurred outside the line, and these were quickly addressed by hand crews. Today, this section of line will be secured and patrolled.

Division TT: Crews implemented firing operations along the 642 Road, working westward along this indirect control line until late in the evening. Today, this work will continue with the goal of tying the line into the indirect control line on the north end of Division AA.

Division KK: Crews finished firing an unburned island of fuel within the fire’s southern interior. Today’s work will include securing and patrolling firelines along the entirety of this division.

Coffeepot Fire and Moss Mountain Fire

Division PP: Crews continue to work on securing and patrolling lines in this division.

Division RR: Much of the west side of the fire is now contained. Crews continued to patrol and secure the north side of the division. Hand-held firing devices were used to clean up unburned fuels on the southeast side of the fire, achieving a black control line depth of 600 to 800 feet. Today, the UAS (drone) may be used to continue with the cleanup of unburned interior fuels, conditions permitting.

Division SS: Heavy equipment continued with contingency line clearing from south of Moss Mountain west towards the SS/PP division break. Fire managers are assessing potential control line locations west of Moss Mountain.

Division WW: Chipping of fuels along indirect control lines continued in the western part of the division. Mechanized equipment and hand crews continued prepping the 2300 road as an indirect line, working to the northwest. This work, which is being closely coordinated with Resource Advisors, will continue today.

Contingency Group: This group continues working with local resources to identify and construct secondary control lines to protect high value assets existing south of the Coffeepot and Moss Mountain fires.

208 Fire

The 208 Fire in Diamond Peak Wilderness has shown little growth over the past several days. Fire managers are developing plans for aerial surveillance of the fire with either helicopter and operations personnel or remotely with a UAS platform.

217 Fire, Tire Mountain Fire, and McKinley Fire

The 217, Tire Mountain, and McKinley fires are 100% contained and in patrol status.

Weather and Fire Behavior

A dry airmass moved into the area overnight, resulting in poor nighttime humidity recovery. Light south winds this morning will push low lying smoke out of the area. After 2:00 pm temperatures will rise to the 80s while relative humidity will decrease to 20-30% at lower elevations. Winds will shift to north-northwest but remain light. Skies will be clear, promoting active fire behavior. Clouds will move in by Thursday and moisture may enter the area by the weekend.

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 place to restrict traffic across the fire areas.

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

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) are in place over the Chalk and Moss Fires.

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

For More 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/

Total Willamette Complex Personnel: 1,042

Fire Cause: Lightning

Location: North & South of Oakridge, OR

Special Note: There will be a community meeting for the Ore Fire, Willamette Complex (Oakridge Lightning Fires), Slate Fire, and Pyramid Fire on Thursday August 8th at 6:00 pm. The meeting will take place at the Thurston High School Auditorium at 333 58th St, Springfield. In addition, California Incident Management Team 13 will be shadowing Rocky Mountain CIMT1 today and they will be assuming management of the Ore, Pyramid, and Slate Fires tomorrow. Moving forward, the Ore, Pyramid, and Slate Fires will be collectively referred to as the North Zone of the Willamette Complex.

Current Situation: The Ore Fire is one of 10 fires being managed by Rocky Mountain CIMT1, all of which are on the Willamette National Forest. Primary containment lines have been completed around the fire and secondary control lines are nearly complete.  Crews and heavy equipment will continue to strengthen these lines by removing trees, snags and other fuels. Firefighters will continue securing, monitoring, and patrolling these lines as warm and dry conditions continue over the next few days. 

Division A: Crews continue to secure and patrol the completed containment line along the southwest side of the fire.

Division D:  Crews continue utilizing strategic firing operations to reinforce containment lines along the northwest side of the fire tying in with divisions A and J. The 1509 Road continues to be the priority containment line with secondary lines being constructed.

Division J/W: The majority of the work being completed in these divisions consists of completing and securing contingency lines with heavy equipment using the 1513 and 1509 roads on the north side of the fire.

Division Z: Crews continue to strengthen contingency lines across the division while monitoring and patrolling primary firelines. Firefighters are closely monitoring fire behavior with continued warm and dry conditions.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Warm and dry conditions are forecasted through the end of the week with the hottest and driest predicted for today. Temperatures will be in the mid-80s and humidity will fall between 20-30%.  Winds will remain light and variable throughout the day. Increased fire activity is possible as the warmer conditions dry out fuels on the fire.  Tomorrow will bring some relief with cloudier conditions predicted throughout the day.

Evacuations, 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 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 

Daily Smoke Outlook reports can be found at this link: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/ed63b240 

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

Ore Fire Statistics:

Size: 2,221 acres 

Containment: 29%

Total Personnel: 173

Location: 7 Miles NE of Blue River, OR

Reported: 07/17/2024

Cause: Undetermined

For More Information:

Information Phone: (541) 208-1262

Email: 2024.ore@firenet.gov 

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-ore-fire 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OreFireInformation2024 

Linktree:  https://linktr.ee/2024_Willamette_Complex

La contención aumenta en un 20 por ciento y las cuadrillas apoyan los incendios cercanos

Acres: 20,019 acres | Fecha de inicio: 21 de Julio 2024 | Causa: Rayo | Combustibles: Madera, hierba, arbustos.

Contención: 77% | Recursos: 406

Martes, 7 de Agosto de 2024

Puntos Sobresalientes: Los bomberos continúan apoyando a las agencias locales con nuevos incendios provocados por la tormenta eléctrica del domingo por la noche; Mientras tanto, los bomberos avanzan constantemente para asegurar el perímetro del incendio.
 

Descripción general: Las comunidades cercanas al incendio Courtrock se están despertando para ver un aumento adicional del 20 por ciento esta mañana en la contención del incendio Courtrock gracias a los arduos esfuerzos de los bomberos y el equipo de apoyo, tanto durante el turno de noche como de día. Los equipos están trabajando las 24 horas del día para apagar este incendio. El objetivo de hoy es terminar de retirar las mangueras del incendio y patrullar los lados sur y este del incendio, donde no hay contención, y continuar con los esfuerzos de limpieza. Aunque el humo sigue siendo visible en el interior del incendio no es un indicador de riesgo para la contención.
 

Mientras tanto, recursos que incluyen cuadrillas, camiones de bomberos, camiones de agua y equipo pesado están apoyando los siguientes incendios: 

• Bennett Fire, un incendio de 400 acres, al noroeste de Antelope en el condado de Wasco;
• los incendios Indian Hollow y Wildhorse, ahora parte del complejo Parrish Creek, un incendio combinado de 200 acres al sur de Spray, cerca de Steamboat Mountain, en el condado de Wheeler;
• Incendio Service Creek, un incendio de aproximadamente cinco acres al suroeste del Lone Rock Fire, al sur del río John Day, en el condado de Wheeler; y
• Bosque Nacional Umatilla, un incendio sin nombre dentro del bosque al este del incendio Lone Rock, que ahora está contenido.

Clima: Soleado hoy con una máxima en los 80 superiores. Viento del suroeste de 6 a 9 mph y llegará al noreste por la tarde. Nublado esta noche la mínima alrededor de 62. Viento del noreste de 5 a 9 mph y llegará del este después de medianoche. Es posible que todavía se vea humo esta semana proveniente del interior a medida que los combustibles se secan y las temperaturas aumentan. 
 

Evacuaciones: Todas las áreas que rodean el incendio Courtrock están en estado de evacuación de nivel 1 (esté preparado).

• Para obtener información sobre la evacuación del Condado de Grant, visite la página de Facebook de la Oficina de Manejo de Emergencias del Condado de Grant o regístrese en el Sistema de Alerta de Emergencias del Condado de Grant.
• Para obtener información sobre la evacuación del Condado de Morrow, visite la página de Facebook de la Oficina del Sheriff del condado de Morrow.

Refugios: 

• El centro de evacuación está establecido en Grant Union High School, 911 S Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.

Cierres:

• El Servicio Forestal de EE. UU. ha emitido cierres para el Bosque Nacional Malheur. Para obtener información sobre los cierres del Bosque Nacional Malheur, visite https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/malheur/news-events

###

Fire Update – Pyramid and Slate Fires

Wednesday, August 7, 2024 – 9:00 a.m.

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1

Dan Dallas, Incident Commander 

Information Phone:  (541) 208-1264 (Hours – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

Email: 2024.pyramid@firenet.gov

Current Situation: There will be a community meeting for the Pyramid Fire, Slate Fire, Ore Fire, and Willamette Complex (Oakridge Lightning Fires) on Thursday August 8th at 6:00 pm. The meeting will take place at the Thurston High School Auditorium at 333 58th St, Springfield. The Pyramid and Slate Fires are being managed by Rocky Mountain CIMT1. Management of the Pyramid, Slate, and Ore Fires will transition to California Interagency Incident Management Team 13 on Thursday.  Moving forward, the Pyramid, Slate, and Ore Fires will be collectively referred to as the North Zone of the Willamette Complex.

Pyramid Fire (1,331 acres, 31% contained)

Division B/E: With dry conditions and increased fire behavior yesterday, crews focused on patrolling and securing the fire perimeter, managing two spot fires. Today, firefighters have installed and are operating sprinkler systems and will continue to patrol and secure the fire’s edge to ensure control lines hold.

Division Y: Firefighters continued to focus on constructing direct and indirect control line yesterday and conducted some strategic firing operations and hose lays. Some resources were reassigned to support firefighting efforts on the nearby Ore Fire. Today, crews will focus on patrolling and securing the fire perimeter. 

Slate Fire (91acres, 99% contained)

Crews began suppression repair of the Slate Fire yesterday and will continue patrolling and securing the fire perimeter where needed. 

Weather & Fuel Conditions:  Today will be very dry. Skies will be mostly sunny this morning, becoming partly cloudy this afternoon. Predicted maximum temperature is 82 to 92 °F and minimum relative humidity is 20 to 30 percent. Because of dry conditions, active fire behavior is expected early in the day and through the night. Smoke and air quality conditions are available on: AirNow.gov 

Evacuations, Closures & Fire Restrictions: On July 17th, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Willamette National Forest, issued a Level 3: Go Now Evacuation Alert for the closure area affected. Please refer to the Linn County Fire Map https://tinyurl.com/LinnCoFireMap for full details of the issued evacuation area (which will appear in red). To sign up for evacuation alerts, visit https://www.linnsheriff.org/. 

Area, road, trail, and recreation site closures are in effect in the Willamette National Forest. Specific information is posted at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=61574. 

Fire restrictions are in effect for Willamette National Forest. Read the complete restrictions at: 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.

Pyramid Fire Statistics:

Size: 1,331 acres      Containment: 31%     Total Personnel: approx. 275

Location: East of Middle Santiam Wilderness

Reported: July 17, 2024                              Cause: Lightning

Slate Fire Statistics:

Size: 91 acres      Containment: 99%     Total Personnel: 65

Location: 5 miles SW of Detroit

Reported: July 23, 2024                          Cause: Undetermined

For More Information:

Information: (541) 208-1264

Email: 2024.pyramid@firenet.gov

Linktree (includes InciWeb and Facebook): https://linktr.ee/2024_Willamette_Complex