Nearly 2-week-old Bachelor Complex of fires now 37% contained; more progress on Flat Top, Firestone blazes

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Nearly two weeks after lightning sparked a rash of fires in the Cascades and points east, the more than 450 firefighters battling the Bachelor Complex southwest of Bend, including the Little Lava Fire, has reached 37% containment, while the Firestone and Flat Top fires are now 87% contained, officials said Friday.

Northwest 3 Complex Incident Management Team   
Lonnie Click ~ Incident Commander  
September 20, 2024

Bachelor Complex, Flat Top and Firestone Fires Update

September 20, 2024
Quick Facts: Bachelor Complex
Size: 11,578 acres                  
Start Date: Sept 8, 2024                 
Location: 20 miles SW Bend, OR
Personnel: 458                       
Containment: 37%

Quick Facts: Firestone & Flat Top Fires
Start Date: Sept 6, 2024                          
Location: North of Fort Rock, OR       
Personnel: 215    
Firestone Size: 9,338 acres     
Containment: 74%
Flat Top Size: 35,942 acres     
Containment: 87%        

Community meeting 6:00 p.m. tonight, Friday, September 20, at Three Rivers School cafeteria in Sunriver and online at www.facebook.com/deschutesnationalforest  .

Firefighters continued to make progress adding depth to further strengthen control lines. Firefighters capitalized on favorable weather and vegetation moisture levels to implement successful burnout operations utilizing both hand and aerial ignition on Little Lava and Firestone Fires.  Helicopters supplied bucket drops of water in support of the burnout operations. 

Aerial patrol and thermal imaging on the Backside and 911 Fires revealed no concentrations of heat. These fires will continue to be patrolled by air for the next several days. Lucky Butte and 846 Fires have limited fuel availability and are also in patrol status. 

The northwest corner of the Flat Top Fire was prepared for strategic burning operations. Crews mopped up and secured fire lines while also completing suppression repair work. 

Bachelor Complex:  Today on the Little Lava Fire, mop-up will continue in the area of yesterday’s burnout along the southern edge. Suppression repair work is ongoing and firefighters will be mopping up any sources of heat along the established control line on the northern side of the Little Lava Fire. 

Flat Top Fire: Hose lays and control lines are in place in preparation for a strategic firing operation on the northwest corner of the Flat Top Fire today, should conditions allow. Patrols, mop-up, brush chipping and suppression repair work are ongoing. 

Firestone Fire: Mop-up, patrol, brush chipping and suppression repair work continue. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: Elevated, to near critical fire weather is predicted for later today. Firefighters will be alert for winds that may test containment lines. Critically dry air will bring minimum relative humidity down to the mid-teens to low 20s. Increased north to north-westerly flow is expected in the afternoon over both fire areas. Mild and dry conditions continue through the weekend before stronger high pressure brings warmer temperatures early to mid-next week. 

Closures: There are two emergency Fire Closure areas on the Deschutes National Forest. To view the updated closure orders and maps, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices. 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/deschutesnationalforest/

InciWeb:    https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ordef-bachelor-complex-fires 

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ordef-flat-top-and-firestone-fires

YouTube:   https://www.youtube.com/@CentralOregonFireInfo?app=desktop

Fire Information Line: (541) 249-9829, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Smoke & Air Quality Information: fire.airnow.gov