Management team handing off Willamette National Forest fires as cool, wet fall weather helps douse flames
(Update: Tuesday's final daily fires update from NW Incident Management Team 10)
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The cooler, rainy fall weather has helped firefighters completing work on the five fires fought for over the past two-plus months on the Willamette National Forest, and a departing incident management team is thanking partner agencies and neighbors for their support over that time.
Here's Tuesday's update on the five Willamette Forest wildfires, the final daily update:
Lookout Fire - Size: 25,754 acres | Start Date: August 5 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 60%
Bedrock Fire - Size: 31,590 acres | Start Date: July 22 l Cause: Under Investigation l Containment: 100%
Petes Lake Fire - Size: 3,254 acres | Start Date: August 25 | Cause: Lightning | Completion: 80%
Horse Creek Fire - Size: 763 acres | Start Date: August 24 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 100%
Pothole Fire - Size: 109 acres | Start Date: August 25 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 100%
Total Assigned Personnel: 175 | 2engines | 1 crew | 2 water tenders
(Springfield, Ore.) – Yesterday, crews completed chipping operations on the east side of the Lookout Fire. Resource advisors and crews are finalizing work on the remaining suppression repair projects. Backhaul operations and woody debris removal continue. While crews continue to work on the Lookout Fire, it has minimal fire behavior that is expected to further decrease with forecasted precipitation. The Bedrock Fire is in patrol status and the Petes Lake, Horse Creek and Pothole Fires are all in monitor status. Local units will continue these efforts. Over the past two weeks, fire managers have focused on the repair of fire lines and roads, the reduction of fuel loads and the restoration of infrastructure to point the forest in a trajectory towards a healthy recovery.
Today at 6 p.m., after a day of sharing information about the incident with the incoming team, Northwest Incident Management Team 10 (NWIMT 10) will transfer command to a Type 3 incident management team from the Willamette National Forest. Incident Commander Alan Lawson and the other members of NWIMT 10 extend their appreciation to the Willamette National Forest and other partners for their cooperation and assistance. The team also thanks residents, business owners and visitors for their support and is especially grateful to the fire camp’s neighbors for their patience and understanding.
This will be the final daily update for the Lookout, Bedrock, Petes Lake, Horse Creek, and Pothole Fires
unless conditions change.
After 6 p.m. today, the incident’s email, telephone and Facebook pages will no longer be monitored. All inquiries for fire information should be directed to the McKenzie River Ranger District Office of the Willamette National Forest.
Phone: (541) 822-3381
Weather: Weather systems are expected to bring an additional 1 – 2 inches of rain over the next two days with strong southwesterly winds predicted Tuesday.
Forest Closures: Established closures on the Willamette National Forest remain in place around fire-impacted areas. The public is urged to “Know Before You Go” by visiting the Willamette National Forest official webpage. For specific hunting-related questions, contact Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at (503) 947-6000.
Safety: Hazards in and around fire-impacted areas include danger trees, falling rocks, rolling debris and unstable slopes. The public is asked to stay clear of the fires’ footprints and to continue exercising caution along roadways around the fire areas especially where operations are ongoing.
Related links:
