Incident Publication

The purpose of this Order (# 0402-06-66) is to protect public safety during the Lava Fire. See attached closure order and map. 

Willamette Complex South & Red Fire Update

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

Date: Thursday, September 19, 2024                              

Fire Causes: Lightning

Email: 2024.willamettecomplex@firenet.gov               

Information Phone Line: 541-208-1742

Willamette Complex South:   Total Personnel: 386  |  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: 24  |  Total Red Fire Acres: 1,763

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

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

Summary 
Fire activity across the area remains minimal, with most fires exhibiting only creeping and smoldering behavior. In sun-exposed areas, occasional small open flames may still be visible. Crews are focusing on strengthening indirect control lines and repairing resources affected during suppression operations. 

For fires not yet fully contained, any growth is occurring within their existing perimeters. Firefighters are reinforcing indirect control lines to protect communities and values at risk. The fires will continue to smolder and creep until a significant rainfall occurs. 

The Chalk Fire, Coffee Pot Fire, McKinley Creek Fire, and Tire Mountain Fire are all 100% contained and have entered the patrol and repair phases. Crews are clearing debris from culverts to maintain proper water drainage and prevent erosion, repairing damaged roads that were used for fire access or impacted by fire suppression activities, and managing materials removed during fireline construction. Crews will continue to prioritize these tasks in coordination with resource specialists such as ecologists, hydrologists, and archeologists. Their expertise ensures that repairs and restoration efforts are scientifically sound and effective. 

Red Fire (1,763 acres, 0% containment) 
Hauling and removing slash from Forest Service Road (FSR) 6010 from Summit Lake to the southwestern corner of Crescent Lake remains a priority. Firefighters continue road repairs and cleaning the shaded fuel break from Whitefish Horse Camp up to Crescent Lake Sno-Park. Structure protection measures, including portable tanks, hoses, and pumps, will remain in place as fire conditions continue to improve. 

208 Fire (8,953 acres, 4% containment) 
Firefighters are actively improving holding features between Lighthouse Rock to Summit Lake to minimize acres burned. Material chipping will continue today along FSR 21 from Campers Flat to Emigrant Butte. 

Moss Mountain Fire (2,168 acres, 10% containment) 
The removal of excess slash and vegetation to strengthen primary lines northeast of Groundhog Mountain is nearly complete. Crews are making progress south of Beach Mountain near FSR 2316 and plan to connect to the existing fireline along FSR 23 from the 208 Fire. 

Weather and Fire Behavior 
Today’s warmer weather will bring drier conditions continuing through the night creating reduced fire activity. Smoldering and creeping fires are now less common as heavy fuels burn out and this trend is expected through the second half of the week. Temperatures will return to seasonal averages, with lows in the 40s and highs in the mid-60s. Expect light northwest winds and relative humidity to decrease to around 40 percent. 

Closures, Fire Restrictions, and Evacuations 

• For closure information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/RedFireClosures2024 & https://tinyurl.com/WillFireClosures2024. 
• For fire restrictions, visit: https://tinyurl.com/DesFireRestrictions2024 & https://tinyurl.com/WillFireRestrictions2024. 
• 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. 

Mop up and suppression repair efforts continue as Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 3 assumes command

FOSSIL, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 3 assumed command of the Fossil Complex this morning at 6:00 AM from ODF IMT 2. As mop up continues on the Service Fire, focus will shift to suppression repair of Fossil Complex, Battle Mountain, and Lone Rock fire scars. The repair work includes the removal of berms and the addition of water bars along dozer lines, along with fence repairs. This work will help the landscape recover and prevent erosion. Spike camps will be established in Long Creek and at the Morrow County OHV park to facilitate the suppression repair work on the Battle Mountain Complex and Lonerock Fire scar areas.

Some pockets of fuels continue to smolder within the Service Fire’s interior, and residents may see plumes of smoke during flare ups. Firefighters are continuing mop up efforts and widening containment lines. Aerial resources are also ready to respond to any fire activity that may threaten containment.

Today will be mostly sunny, with a mild warming trend for the next few days. High temperatures will be in the low 70s with minimum RH in the mid 20s and light winds from the northwest gusting 10 to 15 mph.

All evacuation levels for the Service Fire have been lifted and all zones have been placed into "Normal" status. The Two Cabin, Holmes, Kinzua and Canyon Fires are all in patrol status.

Videos: Recordings of the Daily Operations Updates and other stories are available at: https://www.youtube.com/@FossilComplex.

FIRE AT A GLANCE

Fossil Complex Total Size: 24,446 acres

Two Cabin - 253 acres

Canyon - 192 acres

Kinzua - 96 acres

Holmes - 15 acres

Service - 23,890

Containment: 68% 

Cause: Lightning

Current Cost: $24.2M

All Resources

Hand Crews: 32

Engines: 45

Water Tender: 17

Dozers: 11

Skidgen: 6

Excavator: 3

Total Resources: 1,020

Aerial Resources

Type 1: 2

Type 2: 2

Type 3: 2

Evacuations: None

ODF Incident Commander:

Tyler McCarty

Incident Management Team 3

Location: Trabuco Canyon, CA

Personnel: 2052

Start date: 09/09/24 1:00 p.m.

Cause: Human

Size: 23,519

Percent contained: 41%

For a printable version of today's complete update for the Airport Fire, please see the related link below. 

Fire managers describe progress on the Airport Fire as “very successful” yesterday and last night.  Firefighters will continue to build on that success as numerous crews surround the perimeter connecting fire line, seeking out hot spots, removing unneeded equipment and start focusing on suppression repair of contingency lines.

Night crews extinguished several hot spots in the Modjeska and Santiago Peak areas where brush and duff continue to hold heat.  Along the northeast line from Santiago Creek to the Modjeska Peak, crews will hold and improve lines today. Hot shot crews have now been able to reach remote, previously inaccessible areas along the southern fire line near Sugarloaf Mountain to reinforce the fire perimeter in that area.  Repopulated areas near El Cariso, Decker Canyon and Long Canyon remain a primary focus.  In an effort to ensure hot spots, snags and fire lines are secure, crews are walking grid lines through the fire area. During morning briefing, firefighters were told to “treat it as if it were your own backyard.”

Please note:  A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in effect over the incident and the immediate area. Drones or other non-incident related aircraft are not permitted to operate in the area while the TFR is in effect. Flying a drone near a wildfire is dangerous and can cost lives. When unauthorized drones fly near wildfires, fire response agencies have to ground their aircraft to avoid the potential for midair collisions. Delaying airborne response poses a threat to firefighters on the ground, residents and property in nearby communities. Anyone who violates a TFR zone can be arrested and/or fined. 

Airport Fire Map September 19, 2024.jpg

Thu, 09/19/2024 - 14:06

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Airport Fire Map September 19, 2024.jpg

Size: 5,647 acres | Reported Date: September 7 | Cause: Lightning | Personnel: 572 | Containment: 38%

(Silver Lake, Ore.) – The Buck Creek Fire started in heavy timber within the Yamsay Mountain Semi-Primitive Area on the Fremont-Winema National Forest, about 13 miles southwest of Silver Lake, Ore. The fire spread north and east into managed timber stands on National Forest lands with brush and grass understory and it remains about 11 miles from the community of Silver Lake. Yesterday, the Lake County Sheriff lifted evacuations for the Buck Creek Fire area, but the forest closure order remains in effect. Public and firefighter safety are the incident’s top priority.

A tool that is becoming more prevalent in wildland fire suppression is the Unstaffed Aircraft System (UAS/drone). The drones are flown by trained pilots from the ground and are not operated in areas where helicopters are flying. On the Buck Creek Fire, a UAS outfitted with infrared detection technology is being used to help firefighters pinpoint hot spots as small as a coffee cup. The UAS records and transmits the location of each area of heat so firefighters on the ground can then quickly reach and extinguish the hot spot. This capability provides fire managers with even greater assurance that a fire will remain within the containment lines.

Buck Creek:  Last night, crews patrolled to ensure fire did not cross constructed fire lines. During the day, warmer and drier conditions resulted in a slight increase in fire activity inside the fire perimeter. Water tenders and road graders worked to return National Forest roads on the northwest area of the fire to their condition prior to fire suppression activities. All around the fire’s edges, firefighters continued to strengthen fire lines by extinguishing hot spots. Crews worked to fall hazardous trees as needed to create safer working conditions for firefighting and road grading efforts.

Today, crews will work on roads around the fire including Forest Roads 2700 and 7645. A UAS pilot will use infrared technology to detect heat on the north and east edges of the fire. Crews around the fire are mopping up and patrolling to make sure fire lines stay secure. In areas where fire managers are confident the fire line is contained, they are beginning to remove fire hose, pumps and other equipment that is no longer needed. Helicopters remain available to assist on-the-ground crews as conditions allow. 

Evacuations: In coordination with fire managers, the Lake County Sheriff has lifted evacuations for the Buck Creek Fire.  Go to www.lakecountyor.org for details about evacuation levels. 

Weather:  High pressure is expected to bring clear skies and light winds through the remainder of the week. It will become slightly warmer and drier with maximum temperature in the low 70s and minimum humidity in the high 20s.

Safety: Firefighting equipment and personnel are present on local roads. Fire managers ask the public to drive attentively and remain clear of the fire areas. The public also plays an important role in preventing the next wildfire by using caution with all ignition sources. For fire prevention tips, visit: https://keeporegongreen.org. 

Closures and Restrictions: Current fire danger is high and restrictions are in place within the Fremont-Winema National Forest.A forest closure order is in effect for the area around the Buck Creek Fire. For the complete order and map as well as more detail on fire restrictions, go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/fremont-winema. Christmas Valley Airport is being used as the helibase for fire operations and is temporarily closed to general aviation. A temporary flight restriction is in place over the Buck Creek Fire. 

Smoke:  Smoke from fires around the region may affect air quality. For more information on conditions and strategies on limiting exposure, go to: www.oregonsmoke.org or www.AirNow.gov. 

Actualización diaria del incendio Whisky Creek 

Tamaño de Whisky Creek: 3,145 acres | Fecha de inicio: 20 de julio |Causa: De orígen humano |Contención 25% 

Total de recursos: 98 | Equipos de obreros: 3 | Camiones de bomberos: 3 | Camiones de agua: 2 |Maquinarias pesadas: 1  

El incendio Whisky Creek se encuentra en un terreno escarpado y escabroso dentro del área de naturaleza Mark O. Hatfield en el Bosque Nacional Mt. Hood. Permanece dentro de las líneas de control a lo largo de los extremos sur y este. La huellas del incendio Eagle Creek continúan como barrera a lo largo de los extremos oeste y norte del incendio. 

El crecimiento se ha visto a lo largo del extremo sur del incendio y no representa una amenaza para las líneas de control. Sigue ardiendo entre troncos pesados y continuará produciendo humo ligero. No se espera que empeore la intensidad del fuego aunque el clima en el área se ponga más soleado y cálido. 

Ayer, los bomberos comenzaron a desmantelar y remover el sistema de mangueras que alimentaba la línea manual principal que se usó para extinguier el fuego. Una vez que se hay desmantelado, las cuadrillas empaquetarán en mallas de carga que han preparado, y serán transportadas por aire mediante helicóptero, debido al terreno escarpado y escabroso. Además, los asesores de recursos han terminado de explorar el área a lo largo del sendero forestal 409B y comenzarán a repararlo. Este sendero se utilizó como cortafuegos de contingencia durante el trabajo de extinción. Se utilizará una miniexcavadora para reparar este sendero, ya que este es popular en la comunidad de ciclistas de montaña. 

Clima: Se desplazará al área una alta presión hoy que resultará en un clima más seco. Veremos un aumento de vientos del oeste, especialmente cerca de las crestas. La recuperación de humedad será alta por la noche con una disminución mínima durante el día. Este patrón de clima debe continuar hasta el viernes. 

Para saber el pronóstico de humo y seguridad, consulte: oregonsmoke.org. 

Cierres: Los cierres de áreas permanecerán en el Bosque Nacional Mt. Hood, el Área Escénica Nacional Columbia River Gorge y el Condado de Hood River. Se establecen cierres para la seguridad del público y de los bomberos; La intrusión en un área de cierre puede interrumpir las actividades de extinción y reparación de incendios, poner en peligro vidas y propiedades, y puede resultar en multas. La información de cierre se encuentra en: https://linktr.ee/whisky_creek.2024. 

Seguridad: El público juega un papel importante en la prevención del próximo incendio forestal; tenga cuidado con cualquier posible fuente de incendio. Para obtener consejos de prevención, consulte: https://keeporegongreen.org. La restricción temporal contra vuelos sigue vigente para el incendio Whisky Creek: https://tinyurl.com/2s49yrj4.

Command: SACIMT2 
Fire Size: 14,104
Percent Contained: 93%
Primary Strategic Control Line: 96%
Personnel: 450
Cause: Lightning
Start Date: Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 10:05 a.m.
Location: Southeast of Three Rivers, CA 

CURRENT SITUATION: As a low-pressure system approaches, higher relative humidity will continue to minimize fire activity. Wetting rain (0.10 inches or greater) is possible over the fire area. Crews will continue to monitor and mop-up all containment lines. Firefighters will strengthen the line in the Horse Creek area to keep the fire within the current footprint. Crews will continue brushing along the Mineral King Road in order to further strengthen contingency lines. Unneeded equipment will continue to be backhauled from areas of the fire as containment increases. Additional resources will be released in order to rest and become available for other incidents across the nation.

WEATHER: Potential for rainfall increases on Thursday. Temperatures will range from the mid-40s to upper- 50s with a relative humidity ranging from 70% to 90%. A large trough in place over the region will continue an unsettled weather pattern through Thursday resulting in cooler and wetter conditions. A gradual warming and drying trend will begin on Friday as a ridge builds over the west this weekend.

SMOKE IMPACTS: Tomorrow is the last forecast for smoke related to the Coffee Pot Fire. Haze around the fire will be visible during the day. Expect GOOD air quality with some hours of MODERATE in areas closest to the fire. For more information on current wildfire smoke impacts in your community, please visit AirNow.gov or fire.airnow.gov.

EVACUATION NOTICES: Tulare County Fire Department has announced that the evacuation warnings for the following areas have been lifted effective Tuesday, September 17th, 2024: zones TLC-E094-B, TLC-E094-D and TLC-E094-C. The area includes east of River Hill, North of Case Mountain, West of Mitchell Ranch, and the community of Oak Grove. West of the National Park Boundary, North of the east fork of the Kaweah River, East of Oak Grove. The area South of the East Fork of the Kaweah River, approximately ½ mile southeast of Oak Grove, just below mineral King Road, and follows the river east to the southern border of the Genasys zone. north of South Fork Drive, East of Skyline Drive (Salt Creek, fire control road), South of Mineral King Road, and West of the National Park Boundary. To find your zone, please refer to: protect.genasys.com.

FIRE INFORMATION: A Public Information Officer will be at the Three Rivers Village Market daily from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. to provide fire information and answer questions. 

Whisky Creek Fire Update: 9/19/2024

Whisky Creek Size: 3,145 acres | Start Date: July 20 | Cause: Human | Containment: 25%

Total Resources: 98 | Hand Crews: 3 | Engines: 3 | Water Tenders: 2 |Heavy Equipment: 1 

The Whisky Creek Fire is in steep and rugged terrain within the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness in the Mt. Hood National Forest. The fire remains within the control lines along the southern and eastern edge. The Eagle Creek Fire scar continues to be a barrier along the western and northern edges of the fire. 

All fire growth has been along the southern edge of the fire and poses no threat to control lines. The fire is still smoldering in heavy logs and will continue to produce light smoke. Fire behavior is not expected to increase even with sunnier, warmer weather moving into the area. 

Yesterday, firefighters began to disassemble and remove the hose lay system that fed the primary handline used for fire suppression. Once torn down, crews will package the hose into cargo nets they have prepared which will be airlifted out by a helicopter, given the steep and rugged terrain. In addition, Resource Advisors have finished scouting the area along Forest Trail 409B and will begin work to repair it. This trail was used during fire suppression efforts as a contingency fire line. A mini-excavator will be used to repair this trail which is popular in the mountain bike community.

Weather: High pressure moves into the area today bringing drier weather. We will see an increase in westerly winds mostly up near the ridgetops. Humidity recoveries will be high overnight with minimal decline during the day. This weather pattern should continue through Friday.

For smoke forecasts and safety, visit: oregonsmoke.org.

Closures: Area closures remain in the Mt. Hood National Forest, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, and Hood River County. Closures are put into place for the safety of the public and fire crews; intrusion into a closure area can disrupt fire suppression and repair activities, endanger lives and property, and can result in fines. Closure information is at: https://linktr.ee/whisky_creek.2024. 

Safety: The public plays an important role in preventing the next wildfire; please use caution with all potential ignition sources. For prevention tips see: https://keeporegongreen.org. The Temporary Flight Restriction remains in effect for the Whisky Fire: https://tinyurl.com/2s49yrj4. 

Operational Video for the Chimney Fire

Facebook Link: https://fb.watch/uI4NJtozow/ 

Northwest 3 Complex Incident Management Team   
Lonnie Click ~ Incident Commander  
September 19, 2024

Bachelor Complex, Flat Top and Firestone Fires Update
September 19, 2024

Quick Facts: Bachelor Complex
Size: 11,250 acres 
Start Date: Sept 8, 2024 
Location: 20 miles SW Bend, OR
Personnel: 526 
Containment: 31%

Quick Facts: Firestone & Flat Top Fires
Start Date: Sept 6, 2024 
Location: North of Fort Rock, OR 
Personnel: 244
Firestone Size: 9,227 acres Containment: 67%
Flat Top Size: 35,783 acres Containment: 40%

There will be a community meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Friday at the Three Rivers School cafeteria in Sunriver.

The Bachelor Complex fires have seen little to no growth over the past several days. Favorable conditions allowed for
successful burnout operations on the southern edge of the Little Lava Fire, further strengthening containment lines.
Fireline construction has been completed for Backside and 911 Fires. These fires will be patrolled by air for the next
several days. Lucky Butte Fire is showing minimal heat and continues to burn itself out. The 846 Fire remains less than
one acre, showing minimal heat and is in patrol status. The northwest corner of the Flat Top Fire and southeast side of
the Firestone Fire have been prepared for strategic burning operations. Crews are waiting for favorable conditions to
implement these firing operations that will better secure containment lines.

Bachelor Complex: Today on the Little Lava Fire, firing operations will continue, adding depth to the indirect line along
the southern perimeter. Mop up and suppression repair work will be ongoing on the west and southwest side of the fire.
Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) will be available for aerial ignition if needed to implement burning operations within the
fire perimeter. Crews will continue to mop up any sources of heat and secure the northern perimeter as they complete
connecting dozer lines to the Edison Trail. Adjacent to Forest Service Road (FSR) 45, mop‐up and patrol is ongoing.

Flat Top Fire: The northwest corner of the Flat Top Fire continues to be prepared for burnout operations. Those
operations will be executed today if the conditions, such as weather and vegetation moisture levels, are favorable. Mopup
along dozer lines north of FSR 22 and along FSR 24 to the south will continue. Wood chipping and suppression repair
work, such as pulling back the berms from dozer lines, is progressing. Patrol efforts along the fire’s edge are ongoing.

Firestone Fire: A small pocket of heat was found near the southern boundary Wednesday and was quickly extinguished.
On the southeast side of the fire, a small area is planned for firing operations to further secure the containment line.
Mop‐up, patrol and suppression repair work continue.

Weather and Fire Behavior: A warming and drying trend will continue into the weekend. Smaller fuels, like grasses and
shrubs will be more receptive to carrying fire. More visible smoke is expected today.

Closures: There are two emergency Fire Closure areas on the Deschutes National Forest. To view the updated closure
orders and maps, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts‐notices.

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

InciWeb: 
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident‐information/ordef‐bachelor‐complex‐fires
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident‐information/ordef‐flat‐top‐and‐firestone‐fires
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CentralOregonFireInfo?app=desktop

Fire Information Line: (541) 249‐9829, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Smoke & Air Quality Information: fire.airnow.gov