Single Publication

HOMESTEAD COMPLEX FIRE UPDATE

Fire Information                                                                                                  Tuesday, August 13, 20

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

Email: 2024.homesteadcomplex@firenet.gov

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HomesteadComplexFireInfo

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

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

The Homestead Complex includes seven fires totaling 4,387 acres with an overall containment of 14%. There are 588 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 (1,660 acres), crews had good success with tactical firing operations inside established dozer line on the northern side of the fire, deepening the containment lines. Holding and mop-up efforts continued to progress. To the south, firefighters completed testing of the hoselays and prepared for today’s planned burnout, which will head west and north for several shifts. The Salmon 33 (244 ac.) Fire showed minimal movement and fire personnel focused on mop up and increased containment. Horse Heaven Creek Fire (1,369 ac.) continued to show growth to the east but did not push up against any lines. A hotshot crew scouted the area with a drone, and firefighters conducted burnouts in the northeast corner of the fire down the eastern flank from the 130 spur. On the southern side, the fire reached the 015 spur and was successfully held with engines and a skidgine. On both Fuller Lake (332 ac.) and Bullpup (413 ac.) fires, engines continued to hold the fires along the road systems while indirect line was constructed with heavy equipment. The Reynolds Butte Fire (335 ac) saw minimal activity and continues to be in great shape. Fire personnel were still engaged in mop-up work along containment lines.

Today on the No Man Fire, burnout operations will be the priority on the southern side of the fire as crews continue to build and improve containment line and prep roads. To the northern side of the fire, lines held overnight after yesterday’s tactical firing operations and firefighters will focus on mop-up today. Crews on the Salmon 33 Fire will be working on finishing indirect line to the west, and monitoring and mopping up around the footprint as minimal fire activity continues. On the Horse Heaven Creek Fire, crews will be tying in a two-acre spot on the east flank and then continuing yesterday’s burnout operations down from the 130 spur moving south. Drone scouting will continue in the north around the Windy Creek area, and contingency line construction is ongoing off the 5850 Road. The Bullpup and Fuller fires are holding on the east side, and crews will focus on mop up and solidifying their holds on the 5851 and 300 roads as fire continues to flank along them. Firefighters will scout north along both roads as well. The Reynolds Butte Fire remains close to patrol status. Crews continue to wrap up operations there and will be reallocated around the complex once work is complete. The Lost Bucket Fire (34 ac.) was contained on July 29 and remains in a patrol status.

Today’s weather: The marine layer did return overnight but didn’t entirely pass over the fire footprint. Relative humidity recovery was still good, in the 90-percent range. Temperatures will range in the 60s and 70s today and relative humidity should be in the 40-50 percent range, perhaps slightly lower than yesterday. 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. Temperatures should warm a little tomorrow.

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 impacting every district of the forest. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices.

Fire Prevention:

Continue to check for Fire Restrictions when recreating or working outside. Agencies use weather forecasts, the current regional and national fire situation, resource availability and many other factors to calculate appropriate fire restriction levels. Do your part to help keep unwanted human fire starts off of the landscape! #onlyyoucanpreventwildfires #itonlytakesonespark