Single Publication

Willamette Complex North

Ore & Pyramid Fires

Incident Update

Date:  Tuesday, August 20, 2024

SPECIAL NOTE

State Route OR-126 will be closed for 48 hours from 7 a.m. 8/20 through 7 a.m. 8/22 for road repaving from mile marker 13 to 19.8. This will impact travel East of Belknap Springs. OR-20 and OR-58 are recommended as full detours around the closure; vehicles over 35 feet long are not allowed on OR-242.   

CURRENT SITUATION

Conditions will be warmer and drier today leading to an increase in fire activity ahead of predicted wetting rain later in the week. There are confirmed new lightning fires in the area, and incident resources are available to assist with new fire responses if necessary. Management of the Willamette Complex North will transition from California Interagency Incident Management Team 13 to Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 7 at 07:00 a.m. Wednesday.  

Ore Fire

Blue River, 3,135 Acres, 14% Contained, 571 Total Personnel, Human Caused

Overnight resources continued to secure containment lines. If conditions prove favorable, crews will resume firing operations today along the 1509 Road to strengthen the northwestern flank. Crews on the northeastern flank will continue to construct and improve containment lines. The southwestern and southeastern flanks remain a solid anchor for the fire. 

Pyramid Fire

East of Middle Santiam Wilderness, 1,312 Acres, 82% Contained, 283 Total Personnel, Lightning Caused

Infrared flights still show heat within the fire interior. As drying continues, potential for interior flareups will increase. Crews continue to secure containment lines and clean up contingency lines.   

Weather & FIre Behavior

Skies are expected to be clearer today, even in the morning, allowing for stronger and faster warming and drying compared to the last couple of days. Afternoon winds are predicted to be 4-8 mph in valleys and 8-12 mph on the ridgetops.  Predicted maximum temperatures are 76-80°F in the valleys and 72-76°F on the ridgetops. Predicted minimum relative humidities are 34-40% in the valleys and 42-48% on the ridgetops.  For smoke and air quality conditions visit: AirNow.gov 

Evacuations, Closures & Fire Restrictions

On August 19, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office lifted the previous Level 3 Evacuation order. Please refer to the Linn County Fire Map tinyurl.com/LinnCoFireMap for further information. To sign up for evacuation alerts, visit linnsheriff.org/. 

Area, road, trail, and recreation site closures are in effect on the Willamette National Forest. The Pyramid Fire closure area was reduced on August 19. 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