Single Publication

The Homestead Complex includes seven fires totaling 4,979 acres with an overall containment of 25%. There are 600 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 (1,779 acres), crews continued with tactical burning operations along the south flank of the fire. To the north, firefighters focused on holding, maintaining and strengthening control lines. Crews also continued to improve contingency lines along roads progressing south toward control lines on the Salmon 33 Fire. Two engines patrolled the area overnight. The Salmon 33 (246 ac.) Fire remained within its footprint as fire personnel strengthened control lines with mop-up operations. Work continued on improving additional control lines that will tie into lines coming from the No Man Fire. On the Horse Heaven Creek Fire (1,770 ac.), crews continued to make progress with tactical burnouts down the eastern flank of the fire heading to the southeast corner. At the northwest corner of the fire, the fire has crossed over control lines near the bottom of Horse Heaven Creek. Lakeview Hotshots were scouting for locations to establish control lines around this “slopover” to tie it back into existing control lines. Work continues on improving contingency control lines along the 5850 road with heavy equipment. Holding and mop-up operations continued along the southern flank. On the Bullpup Fire (443 ac.), crews moderated fire behavior with a series of check lines as it approached control lines. Additional dozer line was put in to tie in with other control line along the northeast corner of the fire. Engines patrolled the 300 Road, keeping fire within the control lines. On the Fuller Lake Fire (372 ac.), along the eastern flank of the fire, crews were engaged in holding the fire within control lines as it backed down and burned along the 5851 Road serving as a control line. Firefighters looked for containment opportunities on the northern flank of the fire. Old burn scars from a past forest fire has slowed the fire along its southern flank. The Reynolds Butte Fire (335 ac) continued to show little activity and crews continued mopping up in that area.

Today, on the No Man and Salmon fires, crews will be looking for opportunities on the north flank of No Man Fire to continue tactical burnouts. Work will also continue on prepping contingency lines on the 3811 and 3815 roads, progressing east then south, with the objective of connecting into control lines along the Salmon 33 Fire. Holding and mop-up efforts continue on both fires. On the Horse Heaven Creek Fire, a new division (Division K) has been added to manage the western half of the fire, where there has been increased burning activity in the northwest corner. Fire managers will be assessing this area for establishing additional indirect and contingency control lines should they be needed. At the northwest corner of the fire, where the fire has slopped-over control lines near the bottom of Horse Heaven Creek, firefighters will be scouting for opportunities to establish control lines around the slopover. Should weather conditions allow for it, crews plan to continue with tactical burnouts progressing south along the eastern side of the fire. Work will continue on improving contingency control lines along the 5850 road with heavy equipment. Holding and mop-up operations continue along the southern flank. Firefighters assigned to the Bullpup and Fuller fires will continue working to keep the fires within the control lines along roads and dozer lines. Work will continue on improving control lines along the 300 and 380 roads. Crews will continue patrolling and holding along the 5851 Road as the fire moves downslope and along the road. On the Reynolds Butte Fire, mop-up operations have made great progress to the point where the fire will likely be put in a patrol status in the near future requiring minimal staffing. This will allow other resources working the fire to be reallocated to more active fires on the complex. The Lost Bucket Fire (34 ac.) was contained on July 29 and remains in a patrol status.

Today’s weather: The forecast calls for cooler temperatures and higher humidity.  Temperatures for the higher elevations will be in the mid-60s, and mid-70s in lower areas. Ridgetop winds in the morning will be from the east-northeast, becoming northwest by mid-afternoon.

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: Even with cooler weather, the vegetation is still dry and very susceptible to an unwanted fire start. Please continue to use extreme caution when recreating and working outdoors. 9 out of 10 wildfires nationally are started by a human, mostly all accidental. It only takes one spark!