8/8/2021 Middle Fork Complex Fire Update

Community Fire Briefing at Greenwaters Park, 48362 Highway 58, in Oakridge-Monday, August 9 at 6:30 pm. 

Yesterday: On the Kwis Fire, retardant and water were dropped to aid crews in controlling the spread of a spot fire south of the containment line. A smoke column was visible from the Gales Fire in the afternoon as fire activity increased. Crews and heavy equipment continued preparing existing road systems to be used as primary control lines around the Ninemile, Gales, and Elephant Rock Fires.  

Today: Crews aided by aerial support will continue working to re-establish and secure containment line around the Kwis Fire. Hand crews and heavy equipment will continue preparing fire control lines on the Ninemile, Gales, and Elephant Rock Fires. For Gales Fire, the priority is to secure the northern and western edges of the fire perimeter. They are removing trees and undergrowth adjacent to existing roads and utilizing hand line and dozer lines where necessary to further establish fire control line intended to stop fire spread.  

Management of the Knoll Fire, located on the McKenzie River Ranger District, will be transferred to Pacific Northwest Team 3 at 12pm today.  

Of the 12 lightning-caused fires being managed as the Middle Fork Complex, eight were secured and have been patrolled in recent days with no additional fire growth observed. Actions taken to suppress these fires prevented them from spreading to adjacent communities and management of the Packard, Windfall, Symbol Rock, Devil’s Canyon, Larison Cove, Way, Warble, and Journey was transferred back to the Willamette National Forest yesterday.  

Weather and Smoke: Cooler temperatures are expected today. Significantly warmer and drier conditions are anticipated starting Monday and lasting into the week. Overnight, steady west winds kept smoke from settling back into valley floors around the fire area and today air quality is expected to remain good overall for the Lane Deschutes forecast area. For current air quality information visit oakridgeair.org/smoke or the Oregon Smoke Blog https://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/.  

Evacuations: Effective July 30, 2021, 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 LEVEL 3 (GO NOW). More information, including a map of the evacuation area, can be found at www.lanecountyor.gov. 

Closures: Some National Forest System lands near the Middle Fork Complex fires are temporarily closed to provide for public safety. Please be sure to check current conditions before planning your trip to the Willamette National Forest. For more information visit www.fs.usda.gov/willamette. 

Quick Facts: 

Start Date: July 29th, 2021  

Cause: Lightning  

Incident Commander: Randy Johnson, Pacific Northwest Team 3  

Location: Nine miles north of Oakridge, Middle Fork Ranger District, Willamette National Forest 

Approx. Fire Size (acres): Gales: 2,969; Kwis: 358; Ninemile: 282; Elephant Rock: 7 

Containment: 10% 

Resources: Crews: 15; Engines: 17; Heavy Equipment: 12; Helicopters: 6; Water tenders: 11 

Total Personnel: 591 

ADDITIONAL FIRE INFORMATION: 

Fire Information: 541-625-0849 

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7745/ 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MiddleForkComplex