Single Publication

Willamette Complex South Update 

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

Online: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-willamette-complex- fires-south 

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

Email: 2024.willamettecomplex@firenet.gov  Information Line: 541-208-1742 

Friday, September 6, 2024 Fire Cause: Lightning 

Total Willamette Complex South Personnel: 619 

Total Willamette Complex South Acres: 15,446 

Resources: 2 Type 1 Hotshot crews, 7 Type 2 crews, 2 Type 2 initial attack crews, 3 helicopters, 14 engines, 4 dozers, 72 heavy equipment (masticators, skid steers, feller bunchers, etc.) 

Community Meeting Saturday, September 7th, 2024, at the Middle Fork Ranger Station at 6:30 PM PST. The meeting will be in person with a virtual option on the fire’s Facebook; the recording will be posted thereafter. 

Summary East winds in the overnight hours further accelerated fire activity. High temperatures and low relative humidity today will further the burning of heavy fuels. The Red Flag Warning for the area was extended into this evening due to ongoing critical fire weather and a potential for afternoon lightening. The incident's number one priority for the day will be supporting local resources with initial attack with the potential for new starts. Firefighters continue to progress with containment efforts including patrolling, mop-up, holding existing line, and developing line. 

Chalk Fire (5,871 acres, 86% containment) Progress towards containment on the north and west edges of the fire is ongoing. Firefighters are actively monitoring unburned areas. Further reinforcement of the fire’s edge to build and hold containment continues. 

Moss Mountain Fire (1,244 acres, 12% containment) Progress on indirect lines to the north and a contingency line to the south of the fire are progressing. Line along Forest Service Road 2120 is holding as firefighters anchor the fire westward from there to existing line. A spot over the line to the south has been secured. 

208 Fire (4,555 acres, 0% containment) Elevated fire activity has compromised previously identified lines. Three Type 1 Hotshot crews and the support of all available aircraft are working to slow rate of spread and develop new strategic plans towards containment. Active flanking is anticipated around all portions of the fire perimeter except rocky portions within the wilderness and areas to the north, northwest where previous fuels treatments are slowing the rate of spread. 

Coffeepot Fire (6,187 acres, 100% contained), McKinley Creek Fire (24 acres, 100% contained), Tire Mountain Fire (23 acres, 100% contained) Firefighters remain vigilant with their monitoring and patrolling of these fires to ensure they remain fully contained. Work to improve the depth of mop-up along the contained edges and to identify hazards continue. The 217 fire has been consumed by the 208 fire and will no longer be listed. 

Weather and Fire Behavior Temperatures continued to rise Thursday for afternoon highs in the upper 90s. Relative humidities fell into the teens and did not recover through the evening. High temperatures are expected to remain today prior to declining into the weekend with temperatures predicted in the upper 70s for Sunday. There is a chance of scattered and isolated thunderstorms over the area this afternoon into the evening. The Red Flag Warning has been extended through evening due to an unstable atmosphere, critical relative humidity values, and the chance for thunderstorms. 

Smoke Information

For local air quality information and actions to take, visit: https://fire.airnow.gov.

Closures and Fire Restrictions 

• For specific closure information, visit tinyurl.com/WillFireClosures2024 
• For current fire restrictions, visit tinyurl.com/WillFireRestrictions2024 
• Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): tfr.faa.gov for up-to-date areas. Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. For more information, visit knowbeforeyoufly.org.