Bachelor Complex crews expect fire activity, smoke to increase as temperatures rise again in coming days

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Although containment is close to 40% on the 2-week-old Bachelor Complex, including the Little Lava Fire, officials said Monday that a warmup in coming days is likely to mean a pickup in fire activity and the smoke seen coming from the blaze.

Central Oregon Interagency Type 3 IMT

Bob Sjolund - Incident Commander

September 23, 2024

Quick Facts: Bachelor Complex

Size: 11,742 acres                          Start Date: Sept 8, 2024                                  Location: 20 miles SW Bend, OR

Personnel: 190                          Containment: 39%

Weather conditions today through Thursday are expected to bring warmer temperatures and lower relative humidity to the fire area. Mixed with the critical fuel conditions, there will be an increase in fire activity and smoke coming from the Bachelor Complex fires. 

Yesterday (Sunday) at 6 p.m., Northwest Team 3 turned over management of the Bachelor Complex to the Central Oregon Type 3 Incident Management Team, Incident Commander Bob Sjolund. The management of the Flat Top and Firestone Fires returned to the Deschutes National Forest and will be managed by a Type 4 incident commanders.   

Bachelor Complex: Critical fuel conditions, warmer temperatures and continued dry conditions contributed to an increase in fire activity and heat on the Little Lava Fire, especially in the uncontained fire perimeter on the northern edge near Sheridan Mountain, which is in steep and inaccessible terrain.

Currently, advantageous winds are keeping the northern perimeter in check, and the fire has a low rate of spread as the fire backed north, against the wind and topography.

The heavy fuels, such as downed logs, found interior and adjacent to the perimeter of the fire continue to consume themselves. Isolated torching with some spotting has the potential to grow into short crown runs in the days ahead as more adverse wind conditions are predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Along the south side and northeast portion of Little Lava Fire, patrol and mop-up efforts are ongoing as crews address areas of heat found near the line.

On the east side of Little Lava Fire, in the area of  Forest Service Road 45 , firefighters will be patrolling the line looking for any signs of residual heat and mopping up any spots found. On the west side of the fire, crews will continue with suppression repair efforts. 

Elsewhere in the complex the Backside and 911 Fires will be patrolled by air. On  incident#846, which is in the Kwohl Butte area and is about three acres, firefighters will complete mop up and patrol today and expect to hike out at the end of shift. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: There will be a stronger high-pressure system setting up over the region, which will bring warmer and drier conditions to the fire area. On Monday, the high temperature will be in the mid-70s, with minimum relative humidity around 32% - 37%. Winds will be out of the north-northeast in the afternoon, around 6-9 mph with gusts 15-17 mph.

Temperatures continue to rise on Tuesday, with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s, and relative humidity lowering to around 24-28%. Southeast winds on Tuesday morning are expected to shift to the southwest in the afternoon, around 6-10 mph with gusts 15-19 mph.

The approaching front has the potential to bring gusty and adverse winds to the fire area ahead of the weather system. This may lead to increased fire activity, and short crown runs are possible.

Closures: While evacuations have been lifted, there are two temporary 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.

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