Single Publication

Willamette Complex North

Ore & Pyramid Fires

Incident Update

Date:  Monday, August 19, 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

There has been no significant movement of either fire after recent thunderstorm activity. A general warming/drying is forecasted for the next couple of days. Temperatures will move gradually higher and humidities will drop gradually lower. Crews are taking advantage of wetter fuel conditions to secure containment lines. There are confirmed new lightning fires in the area, and incident resources are available to assist with fire responses as needed. 

Ore Fire

Blue River, 3,132 Acres, 14% Contained, 567 Total Personnel, Human Caused

Overnight resources noted high fuel moistures with no threats to the lines. Fire activity will increase throughout the day as fuel conditions dry out with sun exposure. Crews will continue patrolling, mopping up, and completing contingency lines. Crews on the NW flank will look for opportunities to resume firing operations as conditions allow. 

Pyramid Fire

East of Middle Santiam Wilderness, 1,320 Acres, 76% Contained, 283 Total Personnel, Lightning Caused

Potential for interior flare-ups and single tree torching will slowly increase throughout the day. Crews are continuing to mop up, patrol, and secure containment lines.   

Weather & FIre Behavior

A gradually drying air mass will make conditions more consistent and terrain dependent across the fire area. Drying will most likely outpace warming as recent rain continues to have less influence. Winds are predicted at 3-6 mph in valleys and 8-12 mph on the ridgetops from the NW.  Predicted maximum temperatures are 74-78° F in the valleys and 70-74°F on the ridgetops. Predicted minimum relative humidities are 40-46% in the valleys and 50-56% on the ridgetops. 

For smoke and air quality conditions visit: AirNow.gov 

Evacuations, Closures & Fire Restrictions

On July 17th, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Willamette National Forest, issued a Level 3: Go Now Evacuation Alert for the closure area affected. Please refer to the Linn County Fire Map tinyurl.com/LinnCoFireMap for full details of the issued evacuation area (which will appear in red). To sign up for evacuation alerts, visit linnsheriff.org/. 

Area, road, trail, and recreation site closures are in effect in the Willamette National Forest. 

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.