498/Kitty Creek containment increases as national resource limitations and extreme fire behavior continue to challenge firefighters on the Crazy Creek fire

Daily Update July 30, 2024

Fire Information Phone:541-208-1768 (8am-8pm)

Media Information Phone:541-208-1770 (8am-8pm)

Email: 2024.crazycreek@firenet.gov

Acres:  Crazy Creek - 21,937; 498/Kitty Creek - 73                                        Start Date: July 22, 2024

Location: Crazy Creek:16 miles north of Paulina, OR                     Personnel: 302 total for both fires

                498/Kitty Creek: 7 miles south of Mitchell, OR

Containment: Crazy Creek 0%; 498/Kitty Creek 86%                    Fuels: Timber and short grass

Resources: 8 crews  | 21 engines  |  5 bulldozers |  6 water tenders  |  1 masticator  |  6 skid steer 

Highlights: As containment on the 498/Kitty Creek Fire increases significantly, dry, hot conditions continue to challenge firefighters on the Crazy Creek Fire. The national preparedness level (PL) and Northwest geographic area remain at a PL5 – the highest preparedness level on the National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) rating system. In PL5, national resources are heavily committed, causing challenges for incident staffing and filling of necessary resource to respond to dynamic fire situations, such as those on the Crazy Creek fire.

Fire Activity:  Fire reached Moccasin Ridge on the southern end of the Crazy Creek fire and extended 1/ 4 mile south of Forest Road 30, east of Happy Camp Creek. Creeping fire activity was observed in the mixed conifer and lodgepole pine stands on the northern/northeastern flanks of the Crazy Creek fire as well as through the heavy dead/downed fuels. Slow, steady fire progression occurred north along Double Corral Creek, reaching the dozer-constructed containment lines near Toggle Creek and continued northeasterly, progressing along Thornton and West Thornton creeks.

Tuesday, crews on the north end of the Crazy Creek fire will continue to prepare containment lines while monitoring fire progression and initiating firing operations as needed and when safe to do so. In the northeast, efforts will continue in Toggle Meadow, where hand crews and dozer operators will construct containment lines around the private land. Crews on the south end will continue constructing direct fire line on the southwest side of the fire and will continue indirect line construction on the southeast side of the fire. As the week progresses, the region will experience hot, dry conditions. With the incoming drying trend, primary fire growth is expected to occur in grass and timber with more extreme behavior, such as heavy torching, and increased fire spread due to short-range spotting in the mixed conifer forests of the fire area.

Crews on the 498/Kitty Creek fire will continue to patrol and monitor the fire perimeter to further increase containment.

Evacuations:LEVEL 3 evacuations in the Ochoco National Forest have been expanded to the eastern boundary of Big Summit Prairie and south of the Forest boundary. Crook County has extended LEVEL 3 (GO status) evacuations to the south. As of now, Hwy 380 is the dividing line between LEVEL 3 and LEVEL 2.  Camp Creek Road east to SE Beaver Creek Road north to the Forest Boundary, and east to the county line has been increased to LEVEL 3. The areas south of Hwy 380 from Camp Creek Road east, east side of SE Beaver Creek Road to the Forest Boundary, and east to the county line is at LEVEL 2. Wheeler County evacuation zone WHH-019C-B is in GO status.

 

Weather: Cooler temperatures will continue on Tuesday, with a chance of showers in the morning and temperatures in the low-high 70s and wind gusts up to 20mph. A shift is expected mid-week, bringing with it warmer temperatures and dryer conditions across the 498/Kitty Creek and Crazy Creek fires.

Importance of Fire Prevention: All public lands in Central Oregon, to include the Ochoco National Forest are in 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 fire prevention measures to avoid additional strain on overburdened resources. The public's cooperation in adhering to fire bans and restrictions is vital to prevent new fires from starting and to help our firefighters focus on containing the existing fires. Learn more at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ochoco/alerts-notices/?aid=89068. 

Smoke: Smoke from multiple fires in Central Oregon are impacting the region. Additional details are available via https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/079f0f73.

 

Fire Restrictions and Closures: The Ochoco National Forest has implemented a forest closure for the Paulina Ranger District. More information can be found at fs.usda.gov/alerts/ochoco/alerts-notices/?aid=89203.

More Information:

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orocf-crazy-creek

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SWIMT5 

Central Oregon Wildfire Information: https://centraloregonfire.org/ 

Crook County Emergency Information Map: https://arcg.is/1ij0vb 

Pioneer Fire Update for July 30, 2024  
 Incident Commander Lonnie Click  
Complex Incident Management Team Northwest 3   
(541) 861-5808, staffed 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 2024.pioneer@firenet.gov  

Quick Facts  
Size: 33,277 acres*  
Start Date: June 8, 2024  
Location: 31 miles NW of Chelan, WA   
Containment: 15%  
Personnel: 732   
Cause: Human-caused, under investigation  
Resources Assigned: 11 crews, 4 helicopters, 29 engines, 27 water tenders, 17 heavy equipment  
*No updated infrared mapping due to weather conditions.

There will be a community meeting in Manson Wednesday, 5:30 PM at the Manson High School. The meeting will be streamed live on the Pioneer Fire Information Facebook page. Please submit questions in advance to 2024.pioneer@firenet.gov or via Facebook Messenger.  

CURRENT SITUATION: Yesterday cooler, damper, weather moderated fire activity. Firefighters are taking advantage of reduced fire activity to continue fireline preparations and other community protection measures along the lakeshore and in Stehekin. Helicopters dropped water to cool down scattered hot spots and slow fire spread around Hazard Creek. Crews continued to mop up and patrol around structures along the lakeshore in the Fourmile Creek. In Stehekin the Structure Protection Group continued improvement work by widening fireline. There was minimal fire activity in the Prince Creek area. South of the fire, road work to improve access for emergency response vehicles continued. There were no new fire starts, however crews remain ready to respond when needed.

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: Aircraft will continue to work the ridgeline south of Hazard Creek, dropping water to limit fire spread. Firefighters will continue to protect structures along the lakeshore, mopping up and patrolling to ensure no heat remains where firing operations were conducted. In the Stehekin area, firefighters will continue to widen and improve the community protection lines. At the southwestern fire edge, firefighters will continue to monitor the Lone Fir drainage for any fire activity and will be available for initial attack in the event any new fires start. Crews will continue mastication and road work and other contingency line preparations along Cooper Ridge and other areas west of Manson.

WEATHER AND SMOKE: Today high temperatures will be in the mid-70s. Good RH (relative humidity) recovery overnight helped to increase the moisture in the small forest fuels (pine needles, leaves, and small twigs), which will limit potential for fire activity and spread, however larger fuels remain very dry.  A warming and drying trend starts tomorrow with significantly warmer temperatures anticipated by the end of the week. See Current Smoke Outlook for North Central Washington (airfire.org) for information about smoke and air quality.

EVACUATIONS: Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation levels remain in effect around the Pioneer Fire. Please visit https://t.ly/QoH9w for more information.

FOREST CLOSURE: Current closures for the North Cascades National Park: https://www.nps.gov/noca/index.htm  
The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has a closure order in place for much of the fire area: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest - Alerts & Closures (usda.gov). Campfires are prohibited. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place over the fire: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_6779.html. Unauthorized drone activity is prohibited under the TFR.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560760893080   
Fire Information Line: 541-861-5808, 8 AM to 8 PM  
Email: 2024.pioneer@firenet.gov 

Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team Two
Jared Hohn, Incident Commander

Current Situation: 

• The Badland Complex is 54,566 acres and 49% contained with 295 personnel assigned. 
•  Fire managers are using direct attack strategies, where firefighters are working very close to the active fire front on the Badland Complex. 
• The Coyote Fire is now 22,184 acres and 75% contained. Yesterday, crews continued patrolling the fire’s southern end. Firefighters are being moved to assist with work on the Thompson Fire. The remaining resources will continue to monitor the fire near the Powder River.
• The Thompson Fire is now 31,556 acres and 20% contained. Yesterday, smoke jumpers began to work across the northeastern perimeter toward Manning Creek Road, as Gila Hotshots and hand crews continued progress north toward Big Lookout Mountain. Both teams are being assisted by skidgines and will continue working toward each other today to complete containment line. This line will help stop the fire’s progress to the east, toward the Snake River.
• More firefighting resources continue to arrive and are being deployed to assist on the Thompson Fire. 
• The Powder Fire is 100% contained and is now in patrol status. 

Weather & Smoke Information:  Yesterday, a cold front moved into the area around 5 p.m., which brought wind gusts of up to 32 mph. The fire received less than a hundredth of an inch of rain. Tomorrow may bring occasional sprinkles, but very little lightning and no wetting rain. Northwest winds will be around 20 mph but will taper off in the afternoon. Temperatures will reach the upper 60s or lower 70s in the higher elevations and the 70s in the lower elevations.

An air quality advisory is in effect for Baker County due to heavy concentrations of wildfire smoke. For current Oregon air quality conditions, please visit https://oraqi.deq.state.or.us/home/map. 

Evacuations: Baker County Sheriff’s Office has issued Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuation orders for multiple areas of the fire. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064434892363. Sign up for Baker County emergency alerts at https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/publicUser.aspx?regionid=1357 

Closures: Check for highway closures at https://www.tripcheck.com/DynamicReports/Report/RoadConditions. All BLM Vale District Recreation Sites along the Snake River between Oxbow and Huntington and on Lookout Mountain are closed. This includes Spring Recreation Site, Swedes Landing, and Bassar Diggins Campground. 

Fire Restrictions: Fire Restrictions are in effect. Get details at https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2024-07/orwa-fpo-val-071024.pdf.

Temporary Flight Restrictions:A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in effect over the fire area to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft operations. View a map of the TFR and details at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_7614.html. Fire aviation response is halted or delayed if an unauthorized aircraft enters the TFR. Temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems or drones. If you fly, we can’t! Learn more about how to use drones safely and responsibly at Home - Know Before You Fly.

Fire Info Phone: 541-362-1507  Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Email: 2024.badlandcomplex@firenet.gov            .

Facebook: @BadlandsComplexFires2024  Media Line: 541-249-5894

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orvad-badland-complex-2024 

Whisky Creek Fire Daily Update 

July 30, 2024 

Size / Tamaño: 891 acres 

Start Date / Fecha de inicio: July 20, 2024 / 20 de julio de 2024

Cause / Causa: Human – Under Investigation / Humana, a ser determinada

Location / Ubicación: 6 miles SE of Cascade Locks, OR 

Containment / Contención: 0% 

Fuels / Combustibles: Scrub oak, timber, and grass / Arbustos de roble, restos de madera y césped

Total Personnel / Personal total: 284 
 

Highlights / Aspectos destacados: 

The Central Cascades Interagency Management Team assumed command of the Whisky Creek Fire on Monday July 29, 2024. Precipitation occurred over the fire area yesterday, moderating fire behavior. Cloud cover will diminish today over the fire as onshore flow continues, and warmer temperatures begin to develop over the region. Recent rain will continue to limit the growth of the fire and minimize smoke production.  

El equipo de gestión interagencia de Central Cascades asumió el comando del incendio de Whisky Creek el día lunes 29 de julio de 2024. Ayer se produjeron precipitaciones sobre la zona del incendio, lo que moderó la intensidad del incendio. La cobertura de nubes disminuirá hoy sobre el incendio a medida que continúa el flujo de vientos terrestres, y comenzarán a desarrollarse temperaturas más cálidas sobre la región. La lluvia reciente seguirá limitando el crecimiento del incendio y reduciendo la producción de humo. 

Operations / Operaciones: 

Crews continue to prepare containment lines and clear roads and trails to the south along the Rainy-Wahtum Trail #409 from Rainy Lake to Wahtum Lake and continuing to the PCT approximately one mile to the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire burn area. Crews are clearing thick brush along roads with the assistance of masticators to create fire breaks. To the east of the fire, crews continue to strengthen contingency lines working towards the Hood River County Forestry Kingsley area.  

Los equipos continúan preparando líneas de contención y limpiando vías y senderos al sur de Rainy-Wahtum Trail #409, desde Rainy Lake hasta Wahtum Lake y continuando hacia el PCT, aproximadamente una milla a la zona quemada de Eagle Creek en 2017. Los equipos se encuentran limpiando arbustos densos en carreteras con la ayuda de masticadores para crear cortafuegos. Hacia el este del incendio, los equipos siguen fortaleciendo las líneas de contención que funcionan hacia la zona de Hood River en el condado Forestry Kingsley. 

Fire Behavior and Weather / Clima e intensidad del incendio: 

Recent rain is expected to minimize fire activity. Warmer and drier temperatures are predicted to move into the region later this week and are expected to increase fire activity and smoke production.  

Se espera que las recientes lluvias minimicen la intensidad del incendio, y que las temperaturas más cálidas y secas se desplacen hacia la región a final de esta semana y que provoquen un aumento en la intensidad del incendio y producción de humo. 

Road and Trail Closures / Caminos y vías cerrados: 

The Mt. Hood National Forest and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area have expanded a joint emergency closure for the fire area to include the Pacific Crest Trail and areas south of I-84. Closure information can be found at: Whisky Creek Fire Closures in Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. Hood River County has closures in effect for Kingsley Campground, Kingsley Road, Dead Point Road, and Green Point Road viewable on their website. 

El Bosque Nacional Mt. Hood y el área escénica nacional del río Columbia emitieron un cierre conjunto de emergencia sobre la zona del incendio e incluyeron el Pacific Crest Trail y las áreas al sur de la I-84. Puede encontrar más información sobre los cierres en: Cierres por el incendio Whisky Creek en los espacios naturales de Mark O. Hatfield. Puede ver los cierres vigentes en el condado Hood River para el área de acampar Kingsley Campground, Kingsley Road, Dead Point Road y Green Point Road en sus páginas web.

Total Fire Resources Assigned / Total de recursos asignados al incendio: 

• Approx. 284 personnel/personas, 6 hand crews/equipos de obreros, 4 water tenders/camiones de bomberos, 3 dozers/buldóceres, 5 masticators/tractores, and/y 3 helicopters/helicópteros. 

Contact Information / Información de contacto:  

Email / Correo electrónico: 2024.whiskycreek@firenet.gov, Phone / teléfono: 514-208-1743 8 A.M - 8 P.M 

SLATE FIRE

SLATE FIRE PUBLIC MEETING TONIGHT: A public meeting about the Slate Fire will be held on Tuesday, July 30, at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place at Detroit City Hall, 345 Santiam Ave. W. If you can't attend in person, you can watch the meeting live on the Willamette National Forest YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/@WillametteFireInfo. If you have questions you'd like answered at the meeting, please email them to 2024.Pyramid@firenet.gov.

5 miles SW of Detroit, OR, 91 Acres, 27 Percent Contained, Total Personnel, 50, Under Investigation

Fire managers continue to emphasize the need to combat the Slate Fire aggressively despite milder weather. Control lines have been constructed and reinforced with hose and pumps. Firefighters are now tasked with the laborious process of mop-up. Mop-up refers to the challenging physical work of putting out burning material within the control line, removing fire-damaged trees, and cooling ash pits. Firefighters will be engaging in mop-up operations for the next few days to ensure that the control lines are secure.

PYRAMID FIRE

PYRAMID FIRE PUBLIC MEETING: A public meeting about the Pyramid Fire will be held on Wednesday, July 31, at 6 p.m. at Sweet Home Fire District, 1099 Long Street, Sweet Home. If you can't attend in person, you can watch the meeting live on the Willamette National Forest YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/@WillametteFireInfo. If you have questions you'd like answered at the meeting, please email them to 2024.Pyramid@firenet.gov.

East of Middle Santiam Wilderness, 1,156 Acres, 11 Percent Contained, Total Personnel, 397, Lightning Caused

Yesterday, cooler weather reduced the fire activity and enabled firefighters to make significant progress in improving control lines. Heavy equipment is still being used, along with crews, to enhance the existing control lines on the fire perimeter. Today, crews are focused on constructing direct line on the east flank, at the fire’s edge, towards the 580 Road. Firefighters are also keeping a close watch on the area, extinguishing any hot spots within the fire perimeter.

WEATHER AND SMOKE IMPACTS: Today will be relatively cool with increased humidity. The rest of the week will be warm and dry with a major heat wave expected this weekend.  Smoke and air quality conditions are available on: AirNow.gov

EVACUATIONS: On July 17th, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the 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). 

AREA CLOSURES: Due to active fires, road, recreation sites, and trail (including the PCT) closures are in effect in the Willamette National Forest. Specific information is posted at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd552029.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Fire restrictions are in effect for Willamette National Forest, including the Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, Waldo Lake, and Diamond Peak Wilderness areas. Read the complete restrictions at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=81487. 

Daily Operational Video Update for the Sand Stone, Deer, and Davenport Fires

Facebook link: https://fb.watch/tEPHYa23UT/

Fire Update – Oakridge Lightning Fires

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

Tuesday, July 30, 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 Wednesday, July 31, 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: Smoke and clouds are expected to lift around noon today, allowing sun to align with receptive fuels and increase fire activity. There is no increase in acreage numbers across the Oakridge Lightning Fires today, as infrared flights were not able to collect this data last night. New acreages are expected tomorrow, showing low to moderate growth on some fires, while the 217 Fire is now at 100% contained. An increase in firing operations is expected this week, allowing fire management to secure lines and provide additional strategic, long-term options in managing the Oakridge Lightning Fires.

The total acreage of the seven fires is 6,824 acres with 641 personnel assigned.

Information for each of the seven Oakridge Lightning Fires is provided below. Firefighting activities and suppression actions are described in detail for each double-lettered division on each fire.

Chalk Fire (3,616 acres, 7% contained)

Division AA: Fire line has been prepared. Firefighters will continue to reinforce line and lay hose as plans move forward for a firing operation to occur within the next few days, as favorable conditions allow.

Division KK: Firing operations from the last few days have been completed. Crews will be mopping up edges where necessary so they can anchor here as firing operations increase on other areas of the Chalk Fire.

Division TT: Heavy equipment and hand crews are working along the 1912 Road and moving north toward the 646 Road as they continue to prepare this area. Felling crews are in place and working to remove snags.

Coffeepot Fire (2,761 acres, 0% contained) and Moss Mountain Fire (224 acres, 0% contained)

Division PP: Crews have secured line where the fire has reached the 21 Road. Additional spot fires were discovered and addressed yesterday. A newly formed Firing Group will supplement efforts on multiple divisions across the Coffeepot Fire and will be focused on supporting efforts in Division PP today.

Division RR: Line is completed, low intensity firing operations are occurring in the Stone Mountain area to strengthen fire line. Additional low intensity firing operations are planned for this evening and tomorrow.

Division SS: Work continues south of Moss Mountain. As more equipment arrives, they will work to tie in with Division WW to the east and Division PP to the west.

Division WW: Line is prepared out to 23 Road where firefighters’ work on building line continues toward the SS division break.

Division YY: Fire managers continue scouting south of the Coffeepot and Moss Mountain areas between the current proposed containment lines and private lands. They are looking for strategic opportunities and possible additional contingency line in the event they are needed.

Tire Mountain Fire (20 acres) – Division TT: The Tire Mountain Fire remains under mop up and patrol status. The fire has not grown in several days.

McKinley Fire (24 acres) – Division AA: Containment lines are in place and expected to hold, however, spot fires may occur due to the significant amount of dead and down fuel. Crews will continue to patrol and mop up the perimeter while remaining vigilant.

208 Fire (141 acres, 0% contained) – Branch XII: Fire is holding. There has been no recent growth in this area.

217 Fire (38 acres, 100% contained) – Branch XII: The 217 Fire is contained. Crews will continue to patrol.

Weather and Fire Behavior:

Clouds are expected to clear out by noon today, allowing the sun to align with aspects across most of the Oakridge Lightning Fires. Fire activity is expected to increase today, though northwest winds will remain light. Temperatures will noticeably increase later this week, starting on Thursday.

Extremely dry and dead fuels will contribute to moderate fire activity today especially where sun is able to reach the forest. Spot fires from burning lichen and large snags rolling down steep terrain remain a concern for firefighters and have contributed to previous spot fires.

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 Fire Personnel: 641

Fire Cause: Lightning

Location: North & South of Oakridge, OR

Ore Fire Update
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 – 9:30 a.m.

Size: 1452 acres | Reported Date: July 16, 2024 | Cause: Under Investigation | Containment: 29%
Total Assigned Personnel: 310 | 6 engines | 5 hand crews | 3 dozers | 19 water tenders | 8 masticators | 4 feller bunchers

(Blue River, Ore.) – Fire suppression efforts continue on the Ore Fire, which is burning 7 miles northeast of Blue River, Oregon. Challenges include steep and rugged terrain, rolling rocks and debris, and fire-weakened trees. Firefighter and public safety remain the number one priority on the incident. Fire managers are focusing on activities with a high probability of success while minimizing risk to firefighters and protecting values such as communities, infrastructure and forest, recreation and cultural resources. Crews' arduous work over the past two weeks has resulted in containment lines that are protecting these values to the south. The demanding and prolonged nature of wildland firefighting can significantly impact the overall well-being of incident response personnel. Small actions such as the public’s appreciation signs and visits from therapy dogs have made a big difference to morale.  

Yesterday, fire activity was moderated by scattered showers. Crews removed hazardous trees from the FS 1509 Road using explosives rather than felling these large diameter fire-damaged trees, minimizing exposure to ground personnel. Elsewhere to the north, heavy equipment operators graded, cleared and widened roads to be utilized as containment lines. 

Today, efforts are ongoing to patrol and monitor the secured fire perimeters. Plumbing with sprinklers and hose lays will be reallocated from the contained areas to the areas where the fire's edge is progressing down the hillside along the FS 1509 Road. Crews will begin connecting the FS 1509 Road north to the FS 842 Road utilizing a mix of hand lines and dozer lines to cut out a dangerous section of steep, tight turns.

Mental and emotional fatigue can impair firefighter’s ability to work effectively, and even small errors can have catastrophic consequences in wildland firefighting. Wildland firefighters are facing longer and more destructive fire seasons. Agencies are working to provide mental health resources, promote work-life balance, and provide well-being support while on an incident. In response, a special guest visited the incident to combat fatigue and boost morale yesterday -- Apollo the Therapy Dog (contracted through Global Medical Response in partnership with AT&T FirstNet). 

Weather: Cloudy and cool conditions with scattered showers are forecast through noon today before drier air moves over the fire. Moderated fire weather will continue into the afternoon. Hot and dry conditions return tomorrow and continue into the weekend, resulting in increased fire danger. 

Safety: Fire restrictions are in effect. For additional information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/willamette/fire. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Unstaffed Aerial Systems (UAS or drones) are prohibited within the TFR. Find out more at: If You Fly, We Can't | US Forest Service (usda.gov)

Smoke: The Ore Fire is producing minimal smoke. However, numerous fires are burning throughout the state, leading to decreased air quality. A daily smoke outlook can be found at https://wildlandfiresmoke.net. Being prepared for smoke is important. For more information, go to: www.airnow.gov/wildfires/be-smoke-ready.org. 

Forest Closures: Closures on the Willamette National Forest have been established around fire-impacted areas, including the following sites: Buck Mountain Trail, Tidbits South and West Trail, Gold Hill Trail, Mona Campground, Lookout Campground, and Saddle Dam Boat Launch. For a complete list of recreation and roads in the Ore Fire closure order, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices.