August 3, 2024 11:20 a.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag warning for Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for an area that includes the Homestead Complex.

An Umpqua National Forest update said thunderstorms will be moving through the area from the south, with the eastern half of the complex most likely to be affected. Incident resources are prepared to work with local agencies to respond to any new fires.

The complex is now at 2,362 acres and 5 percent contained. 481 personnel are currently working on the fire.

Outflow winds from passing thunderstorms could affect fire behavior. Wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour may increase the rate of spread of fire on the landscape. Fires most likely to see increased activity are the Horse Heaven Creek, Bullpup, Fuller Lake and Reynolds Butte.

The update said since the warming trend began, hotshot crews have been working with staff from the Douglas Forest Protective Association late into the night to respond to spot fires on the 899-acre No Man Fire, including a 10-acre spot fire near North Chilcoot and Forest Road 3821. As of Saturday morning, all spot fires have been contained. Personnel are using direct line to protect values at risk on the Salmon 33 Fire, which is 187 acres, and are patrolling the east flank of the fire. Crews continue preparing and improving indirect lines with hose lay to minimize the footprint of the Reynolds Butte Fire.

Across the Homestead Complex, firefighters continue to strengthen indirect lines along roads and existing trails.

More information on the complex is available at: https://www.facebook.com/HomesteadComplexFireInfo