Single Publication

Willamette Complex North

Ore & Pyramid Fires

Incident Update

Date:  Saturday, August 17, 2024

CURRENT SITUATION

Today is expected to be a critical weather day, with warm and dry conditions anticipated in the morning, followed by strong to severe thunderstorms (including erratic winds, hail and flash flooding) across the fire area this afternoon.  Crews will remain strategically placed around the fire area for the extreme weather event and will engage when it is safe to do so.  Protecting the life of the pubic and firefighters is the highest priority of the incident. 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

Elevated weather conditions will start early today with poor humidity recoveries.  Strong clearing and smoke transport in the morning will allow for rapid warming and drying.  Winds will increase through the early afternoon with gusts up to 20 mph. Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected in the afternoon. If storms move over the fire, hail up to 1 inch in size is possible, alongside heavy rain and erratic wind gusts in excess of 60 mph.  Strong, erratic winds pose multiple hazards due to fire behavior and fire weakened trees.  Predicted maximum temperature is 80 to 84 °F in the valleys and 76 to 80 °F on the ridgetops. Predicted minimum relative humidity is 32 to 38% in the valleys and 42 to 48% on the ridgetops.  For smoke and air quality conditions visit: AirNow.gov 

Ore Fire

Blue River, 3,036 Acres, 13% Contained, 457 Total Personnel, Cause Under Investigation

Yesterday, crews continued conducting burnout operations to prepare indirect line—with the goal of containing the fire at the 1509 and 827 Roads.  Crews continued to patrol the Ore Fire overnight, observing active fire behavior within existing containment lines. 

Pyramid Fire

East of Middle Santiam Wilderness, 1,320 Acres, 76% Contained, 243 Total Personnel, Lightning Caused

Crews and heavy equipment continue to hold and improve fire lines, patrol the fire perimeter, and conduct mop up. Pockets of intense and scattered heat continue to be identified in the interior of the Pyramid Fire by infrared technology.

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