Crews on 22,000-acre Lookout Fire also fighting two new nearby blazes; Bedrock Fire reaches 71% containment
(Update: Monday fire updates)
McKENZIE BRIDGE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- As Central Oregon continues to deal with unhealthy smoke levels from fires to our west, firefighters tackling the Lookout, Bedrock and other fires on the Willamette National Forest are reporting more progress on containing them, while also tackling new blazes sparked by recent lightning.
Here's Monday's update on the Lookout and new, nearby fires, as well as the Bedrock Fire and the Flat Fire (and the new Anvil Fire those crews are tackling):
Lookout Fire
News - 08/28/2023
August 28, 2023
Morning Update
Size: 22,317 acres
Start Date: August 5, 2023
Cause: Lightning
Containment: 17%
Point of origin: 3 miles North of McKenzie Bridge, OR
Total personnel: 986
Resources: 55 engines l 16 crews l 15 bulldozers l 28 water tenders l 12 masticators l 9 helicopters
Lookout Fire
Cooler temperatures and higher humidity helped moderate fire behavior allowing firefighters to make good progress Sunday. Primary and alternate control lines are being prepared across the northern, western and eastern flanks of the fire to stop further growth beyond those lines. Helicopters were mostly grounded due to smoke but, as conditions allow, are being repositioned to better support ground resources. On the southeast flank, near Belknap Springs, the fire has been slowly backing downhill toward completed containment lines near Highway 126. Across the fire area, Forest system roads are being prepped by tree fallers, fire crews, and heavy equipment, as indirect containment lines.
Horse Creek Fire
Size: 616 acres | Start date: August 25, 2023| Cause: Lightning | Containment 0%
Horse Creek fire is located about five miles southeast of the community of McKenzie Bridge. Fire crews, equipment, and air resources are actively engaged in full suppression efforts in the Horse Creek drainage. Firelines on the north and west edges are holding well. The fire has been moving eastward due to terrain and winds. Some dozer and hand lines have been installed to check eastern fire spread.
Pothole Fire
Size: 99 acres| Start Date: August 25, 2023| Cause: Lightning| Containment: 0%
This start is located about 6.5 miles south of Belknap Springs, near the Three Sisters Wilderness. It is adjacent to a previously burned area which is slowing its rate of spread. Active fire is moving uphill to the west.
All Fires
Firefighters and law enforcement officers will maintain a presence in evacuated areas. Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) or drones, are flying through the smoke to provide infrared heat imaging to locate hotspots near control lines. Drones also support firing operations in areas that are hard to access, which reduces risk to firefighters.
Weather
The weather forecast for today is similar to yesterday, with slightly cooler temperatures and higher humidity due to the incoming onshore flow. Winds from the west may be gusty along ridgetops and where topography aligns with winds. This condition often results in increased fire behavior where winds and drainages align.
Evacuations:
Lane County evacuation updates visit: https://www.lanecountyor.gov/cms/one.aspx?pageId=19729054
Linn County evacuation updates visit: https://www.linnsheriff.org/
Evacuation Centers: An evacuation center is in place at Westridge Middle School in Oakridge for evacuees and small pets from the Bedrock and Lookout Fires. A large animal shelter is established at the Lane County Fairgrounds in Eugene.
Road Closures: Highway 242, McKenzie Highway, is closed between milepost 61-76, 14 miles west of Sisters, Oregon to just east of the junction with Highway 126. Highway 126 is currently open. Please monitor Trip Check for any updates at: https://tripcheck.com/
Forest Closures: The Willamette National Forest has implemented new Forest closures due to the increased fire activity. Closures can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd552029 Fire Restrictions are in place on the Willamette National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/willamette
Smoke Outlook: Available at: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/4c92bc1a?
Information Line: 541-215-6735 8am-8pm
Email: 2023.lookout@firenet.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LookoutFire2023
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/orwif-lookout-fire
Bedrock Fire
August 28, 2023
Daily Fire Update
Bedrock Fire Quick Facts
Size: 31,592 acres Origin: Willamette National Forest Resources: 39 engines;
Containment: 71% Cause: Under Investigation 13 crews; 11 helicopters;
Total personnel: 715 Start Date: July 22, 2023 8 dozers, 28 water tenders
There was no measurable growth on the Bedrock Fire on Sunday and containment is now at 71%. Firefighters will continue to secure portions of containment line along the northwest area of the perimeter. Across most of the fire the focus is now shifting to hauling out equipment that is no longer needed and repairing damage to the land and forest system roads that happened during the firefight.
While conditions were not as hot as predicted on Sunday, fire managers say the fuels remain very dry and active burning is possible today. Smoke will continue to be visible inside the fire lines until the area receives sufficient moisture to extinguish remaining hot spots.
Evacuations: A small area to the west of the western edge of the fire remains on a Level 2 evacuation notice from Lane County. Level 2 means residents in that area should still be ready to evacuate immediately if conditions change. An up-to-date and searchable evacuation map is available through the county’s website: Bedrock Fire Evacuation Areas (https://bit.ly/44rF8Gd).
Smoke: A changing weather pattern is expected to help push smoke out of the area starting today. The daily West-Central Oregon Smoke Outlook provides a detailed air quality forecast for the Bedrock Fire, as well as other nearby fires. The Fire and Smoke Map (fire.airnow.gov) is another source for air quality information.
Weather: Cooler temperatures and higher humidity is expected this week as moisture moves in off the Pacific Ocean. Temperatures today will be in the upper 70s with a chance for precipitation tonight.
Safety and Closures: The Willamette National Forest emergency area closure maps for the Bedrock and Lookout Fires are available on InciWeb and the “alerts and notices” page of the forest website. Temporary Flight Restrictions remain in place over the Bedrock and Lookout fire areas.
InciWeb Bedrock: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-bedrock-fire
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BedrockFire2023/
Fire Information: (541) 414-6272, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Email: 2023.bedrock@firenet.gov
Flat Fire
News - 08/28/2023
Size: 34,242 acres
Start Date: July 15, 2023
Point of origin: 2 miles southeast of Agness, OR
Containment: 58%
Total personnel: 414
Resources: 11 crews l 3 helicopters l 17 engines l 3 bulldozers l 16 water tenders l 4 masticators
Today’s Activities: Resources continue to make significant progress with suppression efforts, including repairs to trails and roads along the north and northeast sides of the fire. Around the perimeter of the fire, engine crews maintain daily patrols checking for heat sources that may pose a threat to the line. Overall, lines are holding without much heat reported. Lookouts and aerial recon over the east flank report no new heat or smokes. An Initial Attack (IA) group consisting of Flat Fire resources continues to provide suppression response to support the forest. The IA group engaged on the 9-acre Barklow Fire in the Copper Salmon Wilderness. Crews have established line around that fire. Resources are also assisting on the 10.8-acre Cedar Fire at the south end of the Grassy Knob Wilderness.
Anvil Fire Morning Update
Size: 25 acres
Point of origin: 8 miles east of Port Orford, OR
Containment: 0%
Start Date: August 25, 2023
Total personnel: 40
Resources: 2 crews l 1 helicopter l 12 rappelers l 1 engine l 1 bulldozer
Weather: Milder weather over the next few days should help keep fire activity to a minimum due to cooler temperatures and increased humidity levels. A dry cold front will bring slightly cooler temperatures Monday and Tuesday along with a slight increase in northwest winds.
Smoke: Smoke lingering within the area is moving north from the Smith River Complex and settling within some nearby communities, like Brookings. Smoke outlook for the area is available at: https://bit.ly/SWORNWCALsmoke
Closures: U.S. Highway 199 has been closed north of Gasquet due to fires on the Six River National Forest, please use U.S. Route 101 to SR 42 for all travel to and from the Rogue Valley. Forest Service and BLM roads should not be used as alternate routes due to emerging fire activity. The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest (RRSNF) has issued a closure order for the fire area including trails, roads, and a portion of the Illinois River. Visit https://bit.ly/RRSNFAlerts for more information.
Evacuations: Level 1 “Get Ready” evacuation status in place for areas in the vicinity of the Flat Fire. Link to more information: https://bit.ly/CurryCoEM
Restrictions: Fire danger is currently extreme; the RRSNF is implementing Level 3 Public Use Restrictions (PUR). Level 3 PURs on the Wild Section of the Rogue River have been implemented by the RRSF, Medford BLM and ODF. More information: https://bit.ly/RRSNFnews
