9/7/2021- 4:05 p.m.
9:00 AM
Cause: Lightning Size: 17,201 acres Containment: 7%
Personnel: 566
Incident Command: Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 4, Rick Connell, Incident Commander
Current Status: The fire was active yesterday with slow and consistent growth moving in light winds, dry fuels, and under the influence of slope driven runs.
Along the southern side firefighters finished building and testing a hose line with tanks and pumps. Crews monitored fire activity on the slope between Battle Creek and Elk Lake Creek and used tactical firing to bring fire along the edge as it moves south. This keeps the intensity and speed of the fire movement slowed down.
The containment line on the southern part of the fire was patrolled and monitored. Firefighters patrolled and monitored the eastern line along Forest Road 6350 and removed numerous hazard trees.
The two spot fires located east of the line were mopped up and monitored. Crews patrolled the northeastern side of the fire and the containment line located near the confluence of the Collawash River and Elk Lake Creek.
Firefighters and equipment operators worked to strengthen indirect lines along road systems north and northwest of the fire area. The fire actively burned in the Battle Creek, Mother Lode, and Welcome Creek drainages along the western and northwestern sides of the fire.
Fire activity in this area continues to be primarily fuels and slope driven which means that the movement of the fire is occurring on the ground through the woody material and debris with occasional group tree torching and uphill runs or side slope movement.
Planned Actions: South winds may bring smoke over the fire area from fires burning in southern Oregon and northern California.
Helicopters will be used to slow fire spread in key areas of the fire as needed and as visibility for flying allows. Work will be done along several different road systems to prepare them as indirect or contingency lines.
Crews will mop up the two spot fires as well as search for additional hot spots along the eastern side of the fire area. The fire movement on the ridge above East Humbug Creek will be monitored, and tactical firing used as needed to keep the fire’s edge even and intensity levels low.
Hose lines, tanks, and pumps operation will be checked along the indirect line and road systems. Crews will patrol existing containment lines and mop up hot spots or pockets of heat.
Firefighters are steadily strengthening indirect lines as the fire moves towards road and trail locations where firefighters can safely and effectively engage it.
Weather: The weather forecast calls for warmer and dryer conditions with temperatures in the mid 80s, humidity levels in the upper teens to upper 20% range, and winds out of the south to west from 5-10 mph with gusts up to 15 mph.
The southerly wind flow could bring smoke from other fires to the area and possibly reduce temperatures. A cooler and cloudier weather pattern is forecasted to begin on Wednesday.
Evacuations: The Marion County Sheriff has issued a Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuation advisory only for Breitenbush Hot Springs. Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, monitor emergency services websites and local media, and make an action plan should the evacuation level rise.
Closures: For the safety of wildland firefighters and the public, the National Forests have enacted area closures that prevent the public from being upon National Forest System lands in the vicinity of the Bull Complex Fire.
All Forest lands that are south and west of Forest Road 46, and east of the Riverside Fire perimeter are closed. The entire length of Forest Road 46 is closed. Lands within the 2020 Lionshead and Beachie Creek Fire areas are also closed.
Primary and Cooperating Agencies: U.S. Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.
