August 2, 204 11:10 a.m. 

The Homestead Complex, burning in the Umpqua National Forest, remains at 2,043 acres and 5 percent contained.

A UNF update said there are 488 personnel currently working on the fires.

While several of the fires in the complex experienced increased fire activity on Thursday, the warm temperatures were moderated by the heavy smoke across the region. Crews and heavy equipment have been working hard to create and strengthen indirect lines in anticipation of continuing hot dry weather and the possibility of thunderstorms Friday night into Saturday afternoon. While smoke is expected to continue through Friday, air operations will be looking for opportunities to drop water when visibility is clear.

The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for Saturday, which means that the combination of dry fuels and weather conditions support extreme fire danger.

The 770-acre No Man Fire has approached and is holding at the recently finished section of fire line on the western perimeter.

On the 571-acre Horse Heaven Creek Fire, crews completed the line on the northwest side and are laying hose along it. They continue to prep FR 3831 and its 100 and 015 spurs as indirect lines to help protect forest timber lands.

Crews are checking on spot fires on the 253-acre Reynolds Butte Fire and prepping indirect lines to minimize the fire’s footprint.

Fire activity is expected to be minimal on the 187-acre Salmon 33 Fire, under the heavy layer of smoke. Crews are managing the fire’s rate of spread as it backs down the hill on the south side.

The 144-acre Bullpup Lake Fire is the most active along the south edge, near FR 3850.

On the 82-acre Fuller Lake Fire, the fire in the Bradley Lake basin will continue to burn back towards the 1534 ridge. Firefighters will be assigned to this fire when resources are available

More information on the Homestead Complex is at: https://www.facebook.com/HomesteadComplexFireInfo