Weekly Situation Report – Sept. 5, 2023

September 5, 2023

National:  Preparedness Level 4 (This level involves three or more geographic areas experiencing large, complex wildfires requiring IMTs. Geographic areas are competing for wildland fire suppression resources and about 60 percent of the country’s IMTs and wildland firefighting personnel are committed to wildland fire incidents.)

NW Geographic Area: Preparedness Level 5 (This is the highest level of wildland fire activity. Several geographic areas are experiencing large, complex wildland fire incidents, which have the potential to exhaust national wildland firefighting resources. At least 80 percent of the country’s IMTs and wildland firefighting personnel are committed to wildland fire incidents. At this level, all fire-qualified federal employees become available for wildfire response.)

# of fires Acres burned
Total to date 40,221 2,089,674

Oregon:  Preparedness Level 5 (This is the highest level of wildland fire activity. Several geographic areas are experiencing large, complex wildland fire incidents, which have the potential to exhaust national wildland firefighting resources. At least 80 percent of the country’s IMTs and wildland firefighting personnel are committed to wildland fire incidents. At this level, all fire-qualified federal employees become available for wildfire response.)

Only ODF-protected lands (16 million acres)
  # of fires Acres burned
2023 year-to-date 826 13,071
10-year avg. year-to-date

(2013 – 2022)

 849 78,633

 

All lands in Oregon (Includes ODF-protected lands)
  # of fires Acres burned
2023 year-to-date 1,731 159,991

Current large fires in Oregon: Includes all lands
*These numbers may change as we receive more data from the individual fires*

Name Date Total Acres ODF Acres Containment Location Cause Notes
Tyee Ridge Complex August 24, 2023 7,287 7,287 33% 10 miles W of Sutherlin, OR Lightning ODF IMT 1
Engines, dozers and crews continue to strengthen firelines and mop up operations. An infrared drone mapped potential hotspots near structures. Helicopters added retardant to pretreat firelines for future tactical firing operations.

 

This afternoon, there is potential for tactical firing operations.

OSFM Red Team demobilized on Sunday. ODF IMT 1 is in command of the complex.
Camp Creek August 25, 2023 1,902 0 16% 10 miles NE of Sandy Lightning CIMT GB Team 1
Firefighters are working on developing containment line within the densely-forested Bull Run Watershed. In addition to firing operations, crews are limbing and thinning trees and improving old logging roads. This work will create a fuel break and reduce ladder fuels.

Barlow Wayside Park and the Sandy Ridge Recreation Site are temporarily closed.
Bensel Road September 5, 2023 699 0 0% Hermiston, OR Undetermined OSFM Green Team
Yesterday late afternoon fire managers used two ODF firebosses to assist with fighting a flare up along the western edge of the fire. The fire is located in thick heavy brush inaccessible to the ground firefighters. The water drops were effective in slowing the fire down. Evacuations in effect. Structures threatened.
Chilcoot August 24, 2023 1,762 0 4% 20 miles east of Glide Lightning NW Team 12
Solid progress is being made on the western flank of the fire, connecting dozer and control lines with direct line. Firefighters will continue to patrol, mop up and secure this area. Containment around this area is expected to increase significantly within the next few days.

Ridge Fire – Minimal fire activity allows for firefighters to extend further along the fire perimeter, allowing crews to extinguish burning material. As the containment line grows, resources will be reallocated to the Chilcoot fire.
Lookout August 5, 2023 24,581 0 20% 4 miles NE of McKenzie Bridge Lightning GB Team 2
The eastern side of the fire received light rain Sunday morning, resulting in minimal fire activity. Crews will continue to prepare contingency lines, and work on hot spots throughout the fire area. Smoke will continue to impact the McKenzie drainage along Highway 126.
Bedrock July 22, 2023 31,590 106 90% 27 miles SE of Eugene, OR Human GB Team 2
The suppression group will continue to work on uncontained lines, provide initial attack capabilities, and continue to assist the Willamette National Forest with nearby fires. Excess fire equipment continues to be removed and returned to base camp for servicing and cleaning. GB Team 2 is now managing the Lookout, Bedrock, Horse Creek and Pothole Fire.

All Fires: Recent rains, higher humidity, and cooler temperatures have combined to moderate the burning intensity and slowed the fires growth. However, this has resulted in smoldering and creeping fire that is conducive to increased smoke development. Valleys, drainages, and transportation corridors may be subjected to periods of dense smoke. Smoldering fire will continue to weaken standing trees, creating an extreme hazard to firefighters and equipment.
Flat July 15, 2023 34,242 50 70% 2 miles SE of Agness, OR Under Investigation NR Team 3
Some interior pockets of vegetation continue to burn and show some smoke. Crews are addressing anything within a chain (66 feet) of the fire’s edge. Firefighters are patrolling and monitoring around the fire perimeter and keeping an eye on the eastern, uncontained side.

 

Weather Forecast:

After a break today, Wednesday brings another upper trough and mainly dry cold front transiting across the Geographic Area. A few areas of 15-25 mph winds will be accompanied by 25-35% humidity east of the Cascade crest. Strongest winds are expected with the higher humidity nearer the Cascade gaps. Thursday begins a slow warming and drying trend as ridging returns and becomes centered somewhere over the western US. There do not appear to be any significant wind events poised to affect the western PSA fires.

Northwest Fire Potential Summary:

Significant Fire Potential remains minimal aside from the breezy gap winds bringing PSAs NW05, 06, and 10 back to the lower end of normal. Outside of the stronger winds, background fuel conditions will temporarily limit spread rates from any new human caused starts or recent lightning start holdovers. As the current dry period continues PSA NW01 will quickly return to below normal fuel dryness while remaining PSAs start to approach normal background dryness during the 6–10-day period.

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