Sit Rep 1: Monday Fire Update, 9/4/2023, 1915 hours PDT

A newly reported wildfire named the 3 BUTTES FIRE was discovered on August 25, 2023, after lightning struck the area. It is located about 12 miles northeast of Florence, Oregon in the Siuslaw National Forest.

The fire has burned about 144 acres of timber. There is a 0% containment status.

About 174 total personnel along with three crews, 25 heavy equipment, and eight engines are currently staffing this fire incident.

According to Fire Officials:

Overview: Infrared (IR) mapping was obtained by a flight Saturday night; no new growth was
recorded. The acreage will continue being recorded as 144 acres until new mapping data is obtained
that indicates a change.

Saturday’s IR flight detected a few isolated, scattered heat sources near the southern perimeter of the fire. Heat signatures are fewer now than those detected during previous flights. The fire has smoldered and crept east and south into the West Fork and Left Fork towards Wilhelm Creek during the past several operational periods, but the fire hasn’t moved out of the drainages and remains within the fire footprint.

The Herman Peak Communication Site is a critical facility for emergency services and the community.
The site is not in imminent danger, but a crew is preparing the site with defensible space to reduce the
risk of fire impacting the facility in the future.

Yesterday, crews completed brushing around the communications site. Today, a chipper arrived to further reduce the material, and crews are brushing the access road.

Weather continues to be favorable and will likely dampen fire activity and short-term spread potential. While the rain is helpful, it isn’t substantially quelling fire activity. Despite beneficial weather conditions, fuel moisture in the area is near historic lows and recent precipitation does not adequately penetrate dense canopy or thick duff. Overall fire danger remains high.

Suppression work continues along the fire’s perimeter. Forest Roads 58 5854, and 688, comprise a connected road system where heavy equipment is working to create indirect lines and masticated
roadsides. The result will be reduced ladder fuels and increased space between tree crowns.

Weather: Cool weather prevails, and rain showers are possible. Stable onshore flow has moved
inland, and a weak cold front may pass through the area.

All Photos are the Credit of the U.S. Forest Service.

(c) 2023 NW Fire Blog