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Operations Video Update Sept 9 // Willamette South
Baker River Hot Shot sawyer focused on limbing trees along the fireline. Photo credit: NW2 Field Public Information Officer Andy Lyon
Map 9/9 Willamette Complex South 2024
Previously called the Oakridge Lightning Fires, the Willamette Complex Fires-South include the Chalk, McKinley, Tire Mountain, Moss Mountain, Coffeepot, and 208 Fires. The fires spread from approximately 8 miles north of Oakridge, Oregon to 8 to 22 miles south-southeast of Oakridge in the Willamette National Forest. The 208 Fire is located in the Diamond Peak Wilderness.
The fires were discovered after an intense lightning storm on July 17 with over 1,100 lightning strikes across Oregon. All of the fires are burning in heavy timber in the Willamette National Forest.
Willamette Complex Fires South Summary
Chalk Fire (5,964 acres, 86% contained)
Coffeepot Fire (6,187 acres, 100% contained)
Moss Mountain Fire (1,950 acres, 8% contained)
208 Fire (8,274 acres, 0% contained) (this includes the 38 acre 217 Fire now part of 208)
Tire Mountain Fire (23 acres, 100% contained)
McKinley Fire (24 acres, 100% contained)
For more information, check out the latest daily update and map.
For information on the Ore Fire and Pyramid Fire, see the Willamette Complex North.
| Current as of | Mon, 09/09/2024 - 14:02 |
|---|---|
| Incident Time Zone | America/Los_Angeles |
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Lightning |
| Date of Origin | |
| Location | Willamette Complex South fires are 8 miles north and 8 to 22 miles S-SE of Oakridge. |
| Incident Commander | John Szulc, Incident Commander Sonny Caldwell, Incident Commander Trainee Northwest Team 2 Complex Incident Management Team |
| Coordinates |
43° 53' 14'' Latitude
-122° 25' 52
'' Longitude
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| Total Personnel: | 674 |
|---|---|
| Size | 22,422 Acres |
| Estimated Containment Date | 10/31/24 |
| Fuels Involved | Timber (Litter and Understory) Brush (2 feet) Short Grass (1 foot) Fuels in the fire area are composed of conifer, Timber Litter and Timber with Understory models. Primary tree species include mixed sizes and densities of Douglas fir, cedar, and western hemlock. Local timber litter is compact to fluffy. Brush and understory species include ceanothus, various hardwoods (vine maple, rhododendron) and dog-hair conifer reproduction. Large snags and heavy downed fuel loadings are common throughout all areas. Live woody and herbaceous fuels are seasonally moist, and not contributing to rates of spread. Fuel conditions change by aspect, previous management practices, and soil moisture. Low crown base height, with lichen and moss in the tree canopy may serve as ladder fuels for torching and spotting. A mosaic of large trees and managed timber stands dominate the landscape. |
| Significant Events | Minimal Backing Creeping Smoldering Active fire growth on the 208 fires and Moss Mtn. Mostly backing and flanking fire, but torching, group torching, short uphill runs, and prolific spotting. Large perimeter of active fire on the 208 fire. Pyramid Fire: Minimal/smoldering. The fire is holding within control lines. Infrared showed additional scattered heat across the interior of the fire, however only a few additional smokes were observed. Heavy fuels continued to burn down. |
| Planned Actions |
Chalk: Mop up and patrol fire edge as directly as possible to protect the communities of High Prairie, Westfir, and Oakridge to the south; the Highway 58 and Union Pacific Railroad corridors to the south and west; the community of Lowell and private timber lands to the west; and infrastructure and cultural sites throughout the fire area. Coffee Pot: Mop up and patrol the perimeter to protect the communities of High Prairie, Westfir, and Oakridge to the north; the Highway 58 and Union Pacific Railroad corridors to the north and east; private timber lands to the south; and infrastructure and cultural sites throughout the fire area. Moss Mountain: Keep the fire north of private timber lands in the Simpson Block by improving and holding forest system road features. Implement indirect primary and contingency lines to protect values at risk. Use indirect tactics to confine northward fire spread, protect Highway 58, Union Pacific Railroad corridors and Wolf Mountain Communications site to the north, and infrastructure and cultural sites throughout the fire area. 208 MF: Construct indirect lines outside the Diamond Peak Wilderness to protect Forest and private timberlands to the west. Coordinate with Sierra Pacific Industries to ensure implementation of primary indirect lines through SPI property is in alignment with strategic plan. Protect felled and decked material on USFS timber sale to the west of the fire. Tire Mountain: Monitor and patrol fire and ensure it remains fully contained. McKinley Creek: Monitor and patrol fire and ensure it remains fully contained. |
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| Projected Incident Activity |
12 hours: Continued growth on the 208 and Moss Mtn into the evening. Backing, flanking, short uphill runs, spotting. Backing and flanking overnight. Higher RH's will reduce rates of spread overnight 24 hours: Backing and flanking on Moss Mountain and 208. Predominantly surface fire with occasional torching and slight chance of spotting. Large areas of active perimeter, but growth rates will be slow. 48 hours: Smoldering and creeping. Occasional torching and spotting. 72 hours: Smoldering and creeping. Anticipated after 72 hours: Expected rain will drastically slow fire growth.
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| Remarks |
NW2 is managing the Willamette Complex South, which includes the Moss Mountain, 208, Chalk, Coffeepot, McKinley, and Tire Mt fires. CA-13 is managing the Pyramid Fire
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| Weather Concerns | High pressure continues to slowly erode, as morning RH recoveries edged upwards. Values ranged from around 40% above 4,500 ft, and 60-80% in the lower elevations. Full sun today allowed temps to warm into the 80s for the lower reaches, and the 70s higher elevations. RH values had lowered to the mid 30s for most locations on the complex. Smoke was slowly mixing out of the mountains as a northwesterly breeze picked up to 5-10 mph. Temps and RH's will continue to slowly moderate, with overnight lows and highs tomorrow just a bit lower, and |
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