Oregon Wildfire Updates

Multiple wildfires are burning across the state. Here's a look at some recent updates on size, containment, closures, evacuations, and firefighters efforts to contain the fires.

Middle Fork Complex Fire  

Updated Aug. 6.

Summary: The complex is made up of twelve individual fires and started on July 29, after lightning storms in the area. Seven of the small blazes have reached 90-100% containment as of Aug. 3.  The Gales Creek Fire is the largest of the twelve, located south of Forest Road 18 near the 1835 road, and has increased to 2,597-acres with 0% containment, as of Aug. 6.

The Kwis Fire is the second largest fire and is closest to Oakridge. As of Aug. 4, the Kwis Fire is 333 acres and is 25% contained.

Size: 3,305 total acres.

Containment: 10%
 
Closures:

• Roads: Forest Road 2400012, Forest Road 2400013, Forest Road 2400037, Forest Road 2400207, Forest Road 2400208, Forest Road 2400211, Forest Road 2400211A, Forest Road 2408, Forest Road 2408036, Forest Road 2408270, Forest Road 5871332, Forest Road 5871337, Forest Road 5871334, Forest Road 5871328, Forest Road 5871325, Forest Road 5871320, Forest Road 5800013.
• Campgrounds: Salmon Creek Falls Campground.
• Trails and Trailheads: Salmon Creek Trail, South Salmon Creek Trail, Cross-Country River Trailhead (Warrior Cross Country Loop, 600 Loop Tie, Warrior Tie), Aubrey Mountain Trailhead, Aubrey Mountain Trail (Aubrey Mountain Tie, South Aubrey Loop), Eugene to Crest Trailhead (Eugene to Pacific Crest Trail).

Evacuations: Effective July 30, 2021, the following are evacuation levels issued through Lane County.  Level 3 (GO NOW) Evacuation Notice: All homes, campgrounds and dispersed recreation along Forest Service Road 18 (Big Fall Creek Road) east of the intersection with Forest Service Road 1821, including Puma Campground and Bedrock Campground, are at a Level 3. A current evacuation map can be found at www.lanecountyor.gov.

Skyline Ridge Complex Fire

Updated Aug. 6.

Summary: Mutliple fires make up the Skyline Ridge Complex Fire that's burning southeast of Canyonville. Officials say the fire was ignited by lightning stikes on Aug.1. The complex is made up of 15 fires with the four largest fires being Poole Creek, O'Shea Creek, Ike Butte, and Sweat Creek. The size of the fire has increased to 2,059 acres as of Aug. 6. The estimated date of containment is Aug. 12.

Size: 2,059 acres

Evacuations: All homes on Upper Cow Creek Road with addresses starting at 11300 through 18299. This includes all side roads between these two points. For easier reference, the Level 1 “Be Ready” starts just above Galesville Dam and ends just beyond Red Apple Road where the Level 2 “Be Set” starts for the Wildcat Fire.

 Jack Fire/Rough Patch Complex Fire

Updated Aug. 5.

Summary: The Jack Fire has been burning since July 5 and the Rough Patch Complex Fire started on July 29. Cooler weather and higher humidity should moderate fire activity across the Rough Patch Complex and Jack Fire, but fuels remain dry and will burn readily, fire officials said.

“We had another good day, but it was challenging due to the wind picking up toward evening,” said John Spencer, operations section chief for Northwest 13, which is managing the Jack Fire, Rough Patch Complex and several small fires in the area.

By Wednesday evening, the Rough Patch Complex had grown to 841 acres from 720 acres, while the Jack Fire grew less than 100 acres, from 23,182 acres to 23,280.

Brush and woody debris are being removed along the 3821 Road and the 650 Road down to a dozer line at Lemon Dip. Coordinated efforts to remove logging equipment and log decks are going seamlessly, Spencer said.

On the west side of the Rough Patch Complex, firefighters caught a 2-acre spot fire within the containment lines west and south of the 651 Road, with assistance from aerial water drops as crews cut line. Dozer and handline work continued across Lemon Dip.

Firefighters spent much of Wednesday scouting the 200-acre Little Bend Creek Fire, which is in dense forest, making aerial observation difficult. To the east, crews were working to open access to the 10-acre 600 Road Fire, which was backing into Homestead Creek.

Containment lines around the Chilcoot II Fire are holding and crews are now mopping up.

On the southern end of the Jack Fire, dozer lines successfully checked a 100-acre fire on the 400 Road at Section 17, while crews finished cutting line and shifted to mop up around the 700 Road.

In the Twin Lakes area to the northeast, firefighters were assessing handlines for potential burnout operations if conditions allow.

Despite the cooler weather moving in, fuels remain critically dry due to drought and many fires will continue to grow, Fire Behavior Analyst Dean Warner said.

Size: Jack Fire, 23,280 acres | Rough Patch Complex , 838 acres

Containment: Jack Fire, 54% | Rough Patch Complex, 1%

Closures: There are several closures in the area. An updated Forest Closure order and map can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umpqua/notices/?cid=FSEPRD935658.
 

Devil's Knob Complex Fire

 Updated Aug. 5

Evacuations are in place for some residences on Upper Cow Creek road due to the Devil’s Knob Complex of fires in the Umpqua National Forest’s Tiller Ranger District. The 43 fires were started by lightning on July 29th and August 1st. That complex is located in the vicinity of the Rough Patch Complex, the Jack Fire and the Skyline Ridge complex in Douglas county.

General Updates: The Complex has been divided into 2 Branches and 4 Divisions to better provide management and oversight of suppression efforts. Fire fighters are scouting for and suppressing small incidents. Firefighters are prioritizing opportunities with the highest probability of success. There are 6 large incidents of concern within the Complex that fire fighters are focusing on based on location and values at risk. 

They are: 

• Wildcat Fire, 180 acres and is close to residences
• Mule Creek Fire, 300 acres
• Big Hamlin Fires,400 acres,
• Smith Fire, 300 acres 
• Little Applegate Fire, 100 acres
• Railroad Fire, 50 acres 

Firefighters are working to construct fireline, mop-up hot spots to secure lines and patrol those fires recently contained. Aircraft is being shared from other near-by Complexes when the air is clear enough for safe flying.
 

Evacuations: The Douglas County Sheriffs Office has determined the following homes are under a Level 3 “GO!” Evacuation Notice: All homes on Upper Cow Creek Road with addresses starting at 20039 through 20700. Level 3 “GO!” means: LEAVE IMMEDIATELY! Danger to your area is current or imminent and you should evacuate immediately. If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand that emergency services may not be able to assist you further. DO NOT delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home or any structure. THIS WILL BE THE LAST NOTICE YOU RECEIVE. 

The following homes are under a Level 2 “Be Set” Notice: All homes on Upper Cow Creek Road with addresses starting at 18300-20000. Level 2 “Be SET” means: YOU MUST PREPARE TO LEAVE AT A MOMENTS NOTICE. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice. Residents MAY have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk. THIS MAY BE THE ONLY NOTICE YOU RECEIVE. Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate. 

An interactive evacuation map can be found at www.dcso.com/evacuations.

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