Single Publication

Willamette Complex South & Red Fire Update

Red, 208, Moss Mountain, Coffee Pot, Tire Mountain, McKinley Creek and Chalk Fires

Date: Monday, September 16, 2024                          
Fire Causes: Lightning
Email: 2024.willamettecomplex@firenet.gov                  
Information Phone Line: 541-208-1742

Willamette Complex South:           Total Personnel: 529  |  Total Willamette Complex South Acres: 23,309

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

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

Red Fire: Total Personnel: 50  |  Total Red Fire Acres: 1,763

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ordef-red-fire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2024RedFireOR/

Summary

On Sunday, scattered showers and high relative humidity levels promoted minimal fire growth across the area. Favorable conditions allowed crews to remain focused on mop up operations, strengthening containment lines, and suppression repair activities. Please be mindful of increased traffic and heavy machinery today as crews continue to reinforce containment lines and minimize fire impacts.

Red Fire (1,763 acres, 0% containment)

Hauling and removal of slash is ongoing along Forest Service Road (FSR) 6010. Fire behavior remains minimal. Crews continue to monitor the fireline for any changes in behavior. Where possible, firefighters are working to mop-up the fireline. Repair efforts include the hauling and chipping of removed debris.

208 Fire (8,912 acres, 4% containment)

Firefighters continue chipping and snagging operations along FSR 21 and 2149. Containment percentages increased as crews built depth in their mop up operations. Established line repair and mop up operations will continue today near Indigo Creek.

Moss Mountain Fire (2,155 acres, 10% containment)

Chipping, mastication, and removal of combustible materials on FSR 21 and 23 are ongoing. Fire behavior within the existing perimeter remains minimal.

Chalk Fire (5,992 acres, 100% containment)

The Chalk Fire is now in patrol status. Crews will continue operating heavy machinery along Forest Service roads for repair work. Slash hauling and chipping continues on the northern and western ends of the fire. Backhauling was completed yesterday including the removal of protective wrap from structures.

Weather and Fire Behavior

Mostly cloudy skies will become partly cloudy by afternoon, though clouds will linger over the 208 and Red Fires for most of the day. Temperatures will respond by warming into the 60s at lower elevations, with 50s across higher terrain. Areas of smoldering and creeping become less common as heavy fuels burn out and generally high relative humidity levels hinder spread. A wetting rain is expected on Tuesday as a low pressure system and cold front move into the region.

Closures, Fire Restrictions, and Evacuations

• For closure information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/RedFireClosues2024 & https://tinyurl.com/WillFireClosures2024.
• For fire restrictions, visit: https://tinyurl.com/DesFireRestrictions2024 & https://tinyurl.com/WillFireRestrictions2024.
• For current Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR), visit: http://tfr.faa.gov.
• The Level 1 – BE READY to Evacuate notice remains in effect for the Red Fire. For more information or to sign up for alerts, visit: www.klamathcounty.org/300/emergency-management.