Single Publication

Fire Update – Willamette Complex

Chalk, Coffeepot, McKinley, Moss Mountain, Tire Mountain, 208 and 217 Fires

Monday, August 5, 2024 – 9:00 a.m.

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1

Dan Dallas, Incident Commander 

Information Phone: (541) 208-1742

Email: 2024.mossmountain@firenet.gov

Information Staffing Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
 

Special Note

In addition to the fires listed above (formerly called Oakridge Lightning Fires), Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1 (CIMT1) is managing the Pyramid, Slate, and Ore Fires; all of which are active on the Willamette National Forest.

Ore Fire Information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-ore-fire 

Pyramid and Slate Fire Information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-pyramid-and-slate-fires 
 

Current Situation

Fire activity was low to moderate on Sunday which benefited firefighters working to secure lines across most of the Oakridge Lightning Fires. Light northwest winds remain in the forecast as temperature increases and humidity decreases over the next several days. Conditions have been advantageous for low intensity firing operations on both the Chalk and Coffeepot fires, which have reinforced existing line and led to more containment.

Information for seven Willamette Complex fires is provided below. Firefighting activities and suppression actions are described in detail for each double-lettered division on each fire.

Chalk Fire 

Division AA: Crews continue to patrol and secure the line south of the Chalk Fire. A low intensity firing operation is moving east to west along the 1920 Road to tie in Division AA with Division TT. The firing operation will continue into evening hours for the next few days to hold the line north of the 1920 Road.

Division TT: Crews have identified opportunities to keep the Chalk Fire within a smaller footprint on its western edge. Lines will continue to be built and secured with low intensity firing operations with the goal of securing a tighter perimeter in Division TT.

Division KK: Contingency lines to the northeast of the Chalk Fire continues to be constructed and secured. Crews will also address an unburned island of fuel within the fire perimeter’s interior. A felling module is working to remove hazard trees along road systems for firefighter safety and future travel access.

Coffeepot Fire and Moss Mountain Fire 

Division PP: Crews continue to secure the southwest corner of this division and are working east toward the division break with SS. Options have been identified to secure the east side more tightly to the fire’s edge.

Division RR: Low intensity firing operations are being used to secure lines on the west and north sides of the Coffeepot Fire. Additional containment is expected in this area in the coming days.

Division SS: Water drops were used on Moss Mountain Fire yesterday as pockets of heat became more active; however, the fire did not spread much beyond its existing footprint. Heavy equipment continues to work north of privately held land.

Division WW: Crews are focused on securing existing lines and working on contingency lines from the south to north in Division WW.

Contingency Group: This group continues working with local resources to identify and construct lines to protect high value assets existing south of the Coffeepot and Moss Mountain fires.

208 Fire and McKinley Fire 

The 208 and McKinley fires have shown little growth over the past several days.

217 Fire and Tire Mountain Fire 

The 217 and Tire Mountain fires are contained.

Weather and Fire Behavior

Mostly sunny skies are expected today. Increased fire activity yesterday will result in significantly more smoke

in the area today reducing the sunshine even under sunny skies. Another nocturnal inversion is in place this

morning with much warmer/drier conditions at higher elevations. This inversion should lift around 2:00 p.m.,

possibly earlier on the fires with less smoke. High temperatures will be cooler than yesterday with similar minimum humidity. Light northwest winds will pick up after the inversion lifts and downslope/downvalley winds are expected after 7:00 p.m. Mild to moderate fire activity is expected, without much fire spread.

Evacuations

For evacuation information please visit: https://www.LaneCountyOR.gov/2024wildfires

To sign up for evacuation alerts please visit: https://www.LaneAlerts.org 

Closures and Fire Restrictions

Area, road, trail, and recreation site closures are in place on the Willamette National Forest in the vicinity of many active fires. Temporary road barricades are in place to restrict traffic across the fire areas.

For specific closure information follow this link: 
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd552029

Fire restrictions on the Willamette National Forest may be found at this link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=81487

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) are in place over the Chalk and Moss Fires.

Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t. 

For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

 

Fire Statistics

Fire Statistics

Fire

Acres

Containment

For More Information:

Phone: (541) 208-1742

Email: 2024.mossmountain@firenet.gov

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-oakridge-lightning-fires-2024

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakridgeLightningFires2024/

Total Willamette Complex Personnel: 997   

Fire Cause: Lightning

Location: North & South of Oakridge, OR

Chalk: 3,928 acres, 50% contained

Coffeepot: 5,559 acres, 3% contained

Moss Mountain: 390 acres, 0% contained

Incident 208: 157 acres, 0% contained

McKinley:  24 acres, 54% contained

Tire Mtn: 23 acres, 100% contained

Incident 217: 38 acres, 100% contained 

Total: 10,119 acres

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