Single Publication

HOMESTEAD COMPLEX FIRE UPDATE

Fire Information                                                                                                  Monday, August 12, 2024

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

Email: 2024.homesteadcomplex@firenet.gov

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HomesteadComplexFireInfo

A morning operational briefing video is posted for today, August 12, on Facebook.

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

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

The Homestead Complex includes seven fires totaling 4,151 acres with an overall containment of 14%. There are 577 personnel currently working on the fire. Fire managers continue directing resources to fires based on threats to property, infrastructure, industry, and areas with the highest probability of success while providing for firefighter and public safety. The fire is being managed by Northwest Incident Management Team 8.

Yesterday, on the No Man Fire (1,612 acres), firefighters slowed growth toward dozer line in the southeastern corner of the fire with helicopter bucket drops. A hotshot crew scouted and began the prep work needed for tactical firing operations. The Salmon 33 (243 ac.) Fire saw negligible activity, staying within its footprint as crews focused on strengthening line and tying in a hot spot on the northern side of the fire. On Horse Heaven Creek Fire (1,201 ac.), crews continued plumbing hoselays and handline improvements. Prep on the 5851 and 010 roads progressed as well, and dozer line protecting the ridge is now halfway complete. On both Fuller Lake (318 ac.) and Bullpup (408 ac.) fires, clear air contributed to some fire activity before the smoke cap settled back in. The 5851 Road continues to hold on the east side of Fuller Lake despite the fire continuing to move in downhill in that area. On Bullpup, scouting operations were completed and the 300 Road is holding despite fire growth toward that control line. The Reynolds Butte Fire (335 ac) saw minimal activity. Crews utilized direct attack tactics on the southern end of the fire to neutralize some minor hot spots.

Today on the No Man Fire, crews will be capitalizing on recent successes by using a drone equipped for firing operations to deepen the now-completed control line on the northwestern side of the fire. Now firefighters can begin patrol and mop-up on those control lines to the east along the 3821 Road. On the southern side, containment should increase due to completed dozer line, and crews continue to plum in hoselay and prepare for tactical burnouts. Increased visibility could allow for the use of aircraft on No Man today. The Salmon 33 Fire continues to show minimal growth. Fire personnel will continue monitoring for changes in fire behavior, mopping up and increasing containment on that fire. On the Horse Heaven Creek Fire, an infrared flight in the early hours of this morning revealed that the fire has crossed Windy Creek to the north in some really rough terrain. Crews will be focused on putting in line to the north and east, potentially utilizing burnout operations originally scheduled for Tuesday. Resources will be prioritized today to reach that goal early. Contingency line operations are ongoing off the 5850 Road and the 010 spur down the ridgeline to the southeast. The Bullpup and Fuller fires remain staffed as firefighters work to complete containment line. Both fires are still within the 5851 and 300 roads. Engines are patrolling those roads and mopping up as the fire flanks in both directions. The Reynolds Butte Fire is getting close to patrol status. Once crews have completed mop-up operations, those resources will be reallocated around the complex. The Lost Bucket Fire (34 ac.) was contained on July 29 and remains in a patrol status.

Today’s weather: A marine layer moved over the majority of the complex last night, boosting relative humidity recovery to 90-100 percent. That layer should have dissipated by late morning but looks to return tonight. Relative humidity should be in the 40-50 percent range. The big change for today will be the cooler temperatures – 8 to 10 degrees cooler than what firefighters have been experiencing. Terrain-driven winds during the morning and noon hours will pick up at the higher elevations into the afternoon, with west-northwesterly gusts up to 20 mph possible.

Current forest fire restrictions and danger ratings are: 

Fire Danger Rating: Very High

Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPL): 3

Public Use Fire Restrictions (PUR): 3

CLOSURES:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Roseburg District, has issued a closure order for portions of BLM land which border the Umpqua National Forest Emergency Fire Closure north of Steamboat. The closure order can be viewed here: https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2024-07/orwa-fpo-rbg-072624.pdf.

The Umpqua National Forest has Emergency Fire Closures in place. ORDER NO. 06-15-24-05 and ORDER NO. 06-15-02-24-01 can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices.

Fire Prevention:

Fuels remain dry and accidental fire starts can very easily happen. 9 out of 10 wildfires nationally are started by a human. Remain vigilant and be sure to do your part, it only takes one spark! #onlyyoucanpreventwildfires