Weekly Situation Report – Sept. 11, 2023

September 11, 2023

National:  Preparedness Level 3 (This stage typically involves two or more geographic areas requiring significant amounts of wildland fire suppression resources from other areas. At this point, NICC is moving an increased amount of wildland fire suppression resources around the country, including IMTs.)

NW Geographic Area: 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.)

# of fires Acres burned
Total to date 41,944 2,191,140

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 849 16,064
10-year avg. year-to-date

(2013 – 2022)

 892 119,036

 

All lands in Oregon (Includes ODF-protected lands)
  # of fires Acres burned
2023 year-to-date 1,637 164,666

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 7,922 7,922 48% 10 miles W of Sutherlin, OR Lightning ODF IMT 3
Crews move further into the burn area each day, increasing mop-up and hazard tree mitigation. Mop-up operations are verified around the perimeters and structures using handheld and drone infrared imaging. On the northern end of the complex, the Big Tom Fire is reaching complete containment.  Helicopters will continue to support fire crews securing the control lines with water drops.
Camp Creek August 25, 2023 2,023 0 35% 10 miles NE of Sandy Lightning CIMT GB Team 1
The fire-moderating effects of last week’s rainfall are diminishing. Warm, dry weather and clear skies have allowed a modest increase in fire behavior and smoke production. Firefighters completed firing operations along the south side of the FS12 road, allowing crews and engines to secure most of the northern flank. Crews have been methodically working their way east along the southern flank, building hand line and mopping up as they go.
Lookout August 5, 2023 24,518 0 50% 4 miles NE of McKenzie Bridge Lightning GB Team 2
Despite warming temperatures not seen since late August, there was generally low fire activity in all corners of the fire.  Helicopters were ordered to douse hotspots along Carpenter Ridge. This slowed fire activity allowing hotshot crews and heavy equipment to continue connecting firelines.

GB Team 2 is managing the Lookout, Bedrock, Horse Creek and Pothole Fire. PNW Team 2 (Loomis) is mobilizing. Inbrief planned for 9/13 at 1400 and transfer of command planned for 9/15 at 0600.
Anvil August 25, 2023 451 0 0% 8 miles E of Port Orford Undetermined NR Team 3
Wildland Fire Module (WFM) crew members are helping direct helicopter bucket drops and collecting weather and fuels data. The WFMs are also scouting for alternate lines on the north and south sides of the wilderness boundary. On the north, a location for containment line has been identified that will start slightly southeast of China Peak and extend northwest onto tribal and BLM land. Crews began tracking a dozer into that area today. The Coos Forest Protective Association will construct this fireline where it goes across private, tribal, and BLM land. Firefighters continue to improve the lines around the fish hatchery.

Structure protection crews are beginning to install sprinkler systems with hoses and pumps at residences along Elk River Road. Fire managers are ordering additional firefighting resources.

NR Team 3 is managing the Flat and Anvil Fire.
Chilcoot August 24, 2023 1,769 0 30% 20 miles east of Glide Lightning NW Team 12
Equipment backhaul has begun, which is the packaging and removal of supplies and equipment from the fireline. With the west flank fully contained, firefighters are turning their attention to completing tasks that have been underway for days. The entire length of the north flank from the 3806 Road to the northeast corner now is in patrol status.

Ridge Fire: Moderate overnight recoveries led to significant amounts of smoldering and creeping the last two days. Fire crews will continue mopping up and patrolling the fire perimeter, working to increase mop-up depth across all flanks of the fire.

Dinner Fire: The Dinner Fire is close to being fully contained.

NW Team 12 is managing the Chilcoot, Ridge, Dinner, Brice Creek, and Grizzly Fire.
Flat July 15, 2023 34,242 50 75% 2 miles SE of Agness, OR Under Investigation NR Team 3
Suppression repair work continues, including pulling in dozer line berms, seeding, mulching, installing water bars, and chipping branches and small trees that were cut and stacked during active suppression efforts. Heat signatures continue to show up on infrared flights and crews are addressing any that are near containment lines. Firefighters are watching interior pockets that continue to burn, especially those near the eastern, uncontained side.

NR Team 3 is managing the Flat and Anvil Fire.

Weather Forecast:

Broad low pressure crosses the Geographic Area over the next few days. Light rain is possible for western Washington and northwest Oregon through Tuesday night. Expect moderate westerly winds through the central/eastern Gorge Tuesday followed by northwest winds across southeast Oregon Wednesday. Warming and drying will occur later next week with 90% confidence. The strength of the upper ridge over the region remains in question. Several weather models are showing a pair of thermal troughs along and west of the Cascades by late in the week. Southwest Oregon could see gusty northeast ridgetop winds while the Cascade east flow currently appears weak.

Northwest Fire Potential Summary:

Fire danger is rising with minimal risk of new large fires. Diurnal breezy winds bring NW06 and NW08 into normal risk the next few days with NW05 and NW10 not far away. Continued drying will start increasing significant fire risk late in the week for some PSAs.

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