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 

Saturday, September 7, 2024 Fire Cause: Lightning 

Total Willamette Complex South Personnel: 653 

Total Willamette Complex South Acres: 20,699 

Resources: 2 Type 1 Hotshot crews, 3 Type 2 crews, 2 Type 2 initial attack crews, 3 helicopters, 20 engines, 4 dozers, 83 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 

Today’s focus will remain on bolstering fire line and providing initial attack support on new starts to the northeast from yesterday’s scattered thunderstorm. A smoke inversion helped to moderate fire behavior yesterday. However, temperatures and relative humidity remain unfavorable today. Forecasts show declining temperature and increasing moisture into early next week. As weather shifts out of critical fire conditions, opportunities may present to further tie into existing line and grow containment. 

Chalk Fire (5,926 acres, 86% containment) 

Firefighters will further monitor and improve containment lines on the south, east, and north portions of the fire. On the western portion, work continues to improve completed control lines from the main body of the fire, west along Forest Service Road (FSR) 1912 and into the main body of the fire on FSR 1925. Monitoring of the unburned island of fuel on the northwest side of the fire will continue. 

Moss Mountain Fire (1,603 acres, 9% containment) 

Firefighters continue to secure new spots south of FSR 2120. Construction of line along FSR 2120 and 23 will continue for potential future fire spread. West of the fire line actions to minimize acres burned continue. Resources are further developing lines to the north of the fire along FSR 23, 2307, and 2308. Aircraft is also supporting efforts to limit fire intensity on the NE side of the fire burning towards the control lines. 

208 Fire (6,936 acres, 0% containment) 

The fire continues to grow as critical fire weather persists. The fire crossed FSR 2160 and 2149 and made a push towards FSR 2300 to the northwest. Firefighters are working to determine where the fire perimeter is located and formulating a plan for lines. 

Coffeepot Fire (6,187 acres, 100% contained), McKinley Creek Fire (24 acres, 100% contained), Tire Mountain Fire (23 acres, 100% contained) 

Firefighters are monitoring for any threats to the line to ensure these fires remain fully contained. Further securing, patrolling, and increasing depth of the mop-up along the control lines are all part of the process after containment line is established. The 217 fire has been consumed by the 208 fire and will no longer be listed. 

Weather and Fire Behavior:
A small thunderstorm passed east of the area Thursday afternoon. Temperatures are anticipated to remain elevated today and then began to decrease into the week. Relative humidities are anticipated to increase alongside decreasing temperatures. There is chance for precipitation mid-week that may bring much needed moisture to the area. A Red Flag Warning remains in effect until 8 pm Saturday for dry and unstable conditions.

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: https://tinyurl.com/WillFireClosures2024. 
For current fire restrictions, visit: https://tinyurl.com/WillFireRestrictions2024

For current Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR), visit: http://tfr.faa.gov. Wildfires are no-fly areas for unauthorized aircraft, such as drones. For more details, visit: http://knowbeforeyoufly.org/.
 

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.