Weekly Situation Report: October 2, 2023

October 2, 2023

NOTICE: This will be the last situation report for the season unless conditions change significantly. 

National:  Preparedness Level 2 (At this stage, several geographic areas are experiencing high to extreme fire danger, though they are able to manage fire activity without requesting many wildland fire suppression resources from other areas. Few of the country’s IMTs are assigned to wildland fire incidents.)

NW Geographic Area: Preparedness Level 2 (At this stage, several geographic areas are experiencing high to extreme fire danger, though they are able to manage fire activity without requesting many wildland fire suppression resources from other areas. Few of the country’s IMTs are assigned to wildland fire incidents.)

# of fires Acres burned
Total to date 44,195 2,442,088

Oregon:  Preparedness Level 2 (At this stage, several geographic areas are experiencing high to extreme fire danger, though they are able to manage fire activity without requesting many wildland fire suppression resources from other areas. Few of the country’s IMTs are assigned to wildland fire incidents.)

Only ODF-protected lands (16 million acres)
  # of fires Acres burned
2023 year-to-date 967 16,975
10-year avg. year-to-date

(2013 – 2022)

 962 119,424

 

All lands in Oregon (Includes ODF-protected lands)
  # of fires Acres burned
2023 year-to-date 1,794 188,726

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
Anvil August 25, 2023 22,092 0 43% 8 miles E of Port Orford Undetermined SW Team 1
Containment is now at 43% as progress continues along the Elk River Road. Crews have been working to remove hazard trees to safely access the Grassy Knob communication repeater. Strong winds in the area made it necessary to disengage for safety yesterday during the afternoon. Near the Sixes River Campground, crews made significant progress building containment lines near Hells Gate. Four masticators continue work along the Sixes River Road. On the southeast corner of the fire, firefighters work to establish contingency lines south towards Milbury Mountain.
Lookout August 5, 2023 25,751 0 50% 4 miles NE of McKenzie Bridge Lightning NW Team 10
Given the decrease in fire activity, extensive suppression repair work is in progress, and closure areas are adjusting accordingly to reflect the cooler weather and successful efforts of firefighters. It remains essential for the public to adhere to the remaining closures listed on the Willamette National Forest Official Website, which are in place for both firefighter and public safety. As temperatures increase, smoke may be visible around the Lookout fire area as fuels inside the fire’s perimeter smolder.
Chilcoot August 24, 2023 1,940 0 82% 20 miles east of Glide Lightning NW Team 13
Mop up continues on the southern flank of the fire perimeter with the intention of dousing all hot spots. Firefighters are also validating hazard tree mitigation strategies.
Brice Creek |
Grizzly		 August 24, 2023 571 |324 0 95% | 95% 8 miles SW of Oakridge Lightning NW Team 13
Brice Creek: All suppression repair is complete and is in patrol status.

Grizzly: All chipping to reduce fuel load is complete while water bars were constructed on handline to Forest standards to limit erosion.
Petes Lake August 25, 2023 3,254 0 80% 25 miles W of Bend Undetermined NW Team 10
The Petes Lake Fire remains on the Willamette National Forest and forecasted wetter and colder weather conditions are expected to keep fire activity minimal until a season ending event fully extinguishes hot spots.
Camp Creek August 25, 2023 2,055 0 62% 10 miles NE of Sandy Lightning Mt. Hood Local Type-3
There has been little to no growth of the Camp Creek fire in the last week where firefighters have been engaged in suppression activities to hold the fire within the existing footprint. The fire is burning in heavy fuels that include deep duff, decayed logs, and timber litter under a dense canopy. These heavy fuels dried out during the summer and will continue to smolder and burn in place with some creeping and minimal fire activity until there is significant precipitation.
Flat July 15, 2023 34,242 50 88% 2 miles SE of Agness Under Investigation SW IMT 1
Additional crews were brought in to conduct suppression repair work on the Flat fire. Crews are working to clean up the fire line and returning the area to a more natural state. Helicopter operations will begin to drop straw bales within the Flat fire for erosion control.

 

Weather Forecast:

Low pressure returns to the Geographic Area tonight bringing rain to western Washington. Showers then spread southeast across the region through early Tuesday. Breezy west winds develop through Cascade gaps behind a cold front. Wednesday has strong high pressure building over the area through Saturday. A thermal trough develops west of the Cascades. Currently, drying east wind speeds appear to primarily remain on a nuisance level, with locally higher speeds around the western Columbia River Gorge. Low pressure and a cold front approach the coast next Sunda.

Northwest Fire Potential Summary:

The risk for new large fires or significant fire growth remains minimal for the foreseeable future. Drying conditions along the Cascades and westward next week are expected to produce a limited increase of existing fire activity.

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