Single Publication

Fire Update – Oakridge Lightning Fires (Willamette Complex)

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

Saturday, August 3, 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

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1 (CIMT1) has assumed management of the Pyramid, Slate, and Ore Fires, all of which are active on the Willamette National Forest. Rocky Mountain CIMT1 assuming management of these fires facilitates shifting resources to areas of greatest need as fire activity and conditions change. For information on the three new fires please visit:

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

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

Current Situation

The Oakridge Lightning Fires continued to show low to moderate activity and intensity yesterday. An infrared flight was able to gather data for more accurate mapping; acreage updates are provided below. Crews continue building and strengthening primary fire line while also identifying areas with high probability of success in both the short and long-term future of these fires.

The total acreage of the seven Oakridge Lightning Fires is 8,685 acres with 753 personnel assigned.

Information for each of the seven Oakridge Lightning Fires is provided below. Firefighting activities and suppression actions are described in detail for each double-lettered division on each fire.

Chalk Fire (3,808 acres, 40% contained)

Division AA: Crews working on Division AA of the Chalk Fire were successful in establishing additional containment line on the south side of the Chalk Fire. Firing operations are planned for later today.

Division KK: Line has been constructed and strengthened on the east side of the Chalk Fire. Low-intensity firing operations will take place in the near future to address existing interior dry and receptive fuel. Numerous fire-weakened trees continue to present a significant safety concern to firefighters in Division KK.

Division TT: Work continues in Division TT to prepare and reinforce existing logging roads north of the Chalk Fire. Crews continue to scout for options to be used as primary and secondary line.

Coffeepot Fire (4,327 acres, 0% contained) and Moss Mountain Fire (311 acres, 0% contained)

Division PP: Crews had a successful day addressing a 45-acre spot fire in the southwest corner of the Coffeepot Fire. A strategic firing operation is being considered in this area to strengthen existing line.

Division RR: Line north of the Coffeepot Fire has been completed and is being held after firing operations occurred yesterday. Tactics here are more successful later in the day and into the night. As a result, a swing shift firing group has been implemented to work later hours, when there is a higher probability of success.

Division SS: Line has been constructed to the south of the Moss Mountain Fire moving to the east. Crews have moved heavy equipment to the west where they are working to tie in Division SS to Division PP. Division WW: Preparation work continues in

Division WW as heavy equipment works in this division to prevent significant growth in the northwest area of the Moss Mountain Fire.

Contingency Group: An additional group has been added to focus work in the area of highly valued assets on private land south of the Coffeepot and Moss Mountain Fires. Crews are building and strengthening line here.

208 Fire (154 acres), McKinley Fire (24 acres), and Tire Mountain Fire (23 acres) The 208, McKinley, and Tire Mountain fires have shown little growth over the past several days. Patrols are occurring.

217 Fire (38 acres, 100% contained) The 217 Fire is contained but will continue to be patrolled.

Weather and Fire Behavior

Monday through Wednesday will bring sunny skies, highs in the 70s to 80s, and minimum humidities from 28- 38%. Very high mixing heights are expected each day with strong low-level atmospheric instability. Wind direction will generally be down-valley overnight with light northwesterly winds picking up during the day. Precipitation is not expected for the foreseeable future. A dry thunderstorm is possible later today.

Long distance spot fires are possible today as smoke lifts and the sun makes fuels more receptive. Dry, flammable lichen has been reported carrying ignition potential to these receptive fuels. Crews are patrolling and addressing issues as they arise.

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.

Total Fire Personnel: 753 Fire

Cause: Lightning

Location: North & South of Oakridge, OR

For More Information: Phone: (541) 208-1742

Email: 2024.mossmountain@firenet.gov

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

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