Single Publication

Fire Update –Willamette Complex

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

Thursday, August 8, 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

There will be a community meeting for the Willamette Complex (formerly Oakridge Lightning Fires) and Ore, Slate, and Pyramid Fires on Thursday August 8th at 6:00 pm. The meeting will be at the Thurston High School Auditorium at 333 58th St, Springfield. California CIMT13 assumed management of the Pyramid, Slate, and Ore Fires this morning. Alaska CIMT3 will assume management of the Willamette Complex on Saturday morning as the Rocky Mountain CIMT1 reaches the end of our extended tour of duty.

Current Situation

Yesterday saw some of the driest conditions experienced on the fires to date. Despite this, conditions remained within a range suitable for continued progress on fireline construction and removal of fuels with low intensity firing operations. With three of the smaller fires in the complex contained, and completed lines around two of the larger fires, fire managers are feeling positive, even with the large amount of work still ahead. Lower temperatures and the potential for some moisture beginning on the weekend are further reasons for optimism.

Chalk Fire

Divisions AA and TT: Last night the Firing Group worked until 11:00 pm to remove fuels and developing black line depth along indirect containment lines in the western portions of both of these divisions. This establishes a continuous line around the northern perimeter of the fire, which will now need to be widened and further secured. Today, crews will continue to strengthen and patrol the line and begin filling in a large green island that is inside these containment lines using strategic firing as necessary.

Division KK: Work in this division is nearing completion, but there remains a small amount of cleanup in an interior island. Crews will complete that today and continue securing and patrolling firelines along the entirety of this division.

Coffeepot Fire and Moss Mountain Fire

Divisions PP and RR: There is now fireline around the Coffeepot Fire with containment reaching 19% along the fire’s western edge. Crews are focused on improving and patrolling uncontained firelines to increase containment in the days ahead. Today, crews will also work on cleaning up interior unburned fuels in the southeastern portion of the fire.

Division SS: Fire supervisors are assessing options near the southern end of Moss Mountain Fire to connect the 290 and 2120 Roads with dozer line. This would serve as a check line to prevent westward and southward movement of the fire and potentially reduce future fire growth. Crews have been moved to the area to assist with preparation of the lines.

Division WW: Chipping of fuels along indirect containment lines continued in the western part of the division. Mechanized equipment and hand crews continued prepping the 2300 road as an indirect line, working to the northwest. This multi-day project, which is being closely coordinated with Resource Advisors, will continue today.

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

208 Fire

The 208 Fire in Diamond Peak Wilderness has shown little growth over the past several days. Fire managers plan to aerially assess the fire today, conditions permitting.

217 Fire, Tire Mountain Fire, and McKinley Fire

The 217, Tire Mountain, and McKinley fires are 100% contained and in patrol status.

Weather and Fire Behavior

Last night remained dry with poor humidity recovery. Today, we can expect temperatures in the 80s and minimum relative humidities of 30-40%. Winds will again be light and shifting from southerly to northwest by afternoon. High clouds will begin moving in tonight, and cloud cover with ground level smoke will be present on Friday. The weekend may see some moisture, and winds will remain light throughout the period. Fires should burn actively today, which will aid in removing unburned fuels inside existing containment lines. Fires at higher elevations with more direct sun exposure, like Moss Mountain and 208, may see an uptick in fire intensity.

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.

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: 1,061

Fire Cause: Lightning

Location: North & South of Oakridge, OR