Single Publication

Northwest 3 Complex Incident Management Team   
Lonnie Click ~ Incident Commander  
September 21, 2024

Bachelor Complex, Flat Top and Firestone Fires Update
September 21, 2024

Quick Facts: Bachelor Complex
Size: 11,669 acres 
Start Date: Sept 8, 2024 
Location: 20 miles SW Bend, OR
Personnel: 410 
Containment: 41%

Quick Facts: Firestone & Flat Top Fires
Start Date: Sept 6, 2024 
Location: North of Fort Rock, OR 
Personnel: 136
Firestone Size: 9,454 acres 
Containment: 86%
Flat Top Size: 36,288 acres 
Containment: 87%

Yesterday the Bachelor Complex, Flat Top and Firestone Fires experienced warm, dry and breezy conditions,
contributing to increased consumption of fuels within the fire perimeter. While this resulted in increased smoke
production across the area, it also strengthened containment lines by reducing available vegetation between the main
front of the fire and containment lines. Lucky Butte, 911, 846 and Backside Fires were monitored by air. Fire 846 in the
Kwohl Butte area is about three acres. It showed increased activity yesterday so a crew of eight rappellers were inserted
late in the day.

Bachelor Complex: Small strategic burning operations took place on Little Lava Fire yesterday to remove internal
pockets of unburned fuels near control lines. These strategic firing operations were implemented using an Unstaffed
Aerial System (UAS), commonly known as a drone, to start the ignition. Firefighters worked the northern edge of the fire
making progress towards the Edison Trail 3. Along Forest Service Road 45, firefighters started dismantling hose lays,
backhauling truckloads of firehose. Suppression repair work is ongoing, and firefighters will patrol and mop up any
sources of heat found along control lines, as well as backhauling more hose from the fireline.
Flat Top Fire: On the northwest corner of the Flat Top Fire a burnout operation was completed to secure the remaining
open control line on the fire. In the northwest area of the fire, south of the South Lava Trailhead, an engine and dozer
provided structure protection for recreation infrastructure. Today, crews will continue mopping-up, chipping brush and
doing suppression repair as needed. Firefighters will continue to mop up to strengthen containment lines around the
perimeter of the fire.

Firestone Fire: Mop-up continued yesterday on the Firestone Fire. Firefighters continued working in the area of the
burnout along Forest Service Road 100 adding depth to strengthen the effectiveness of control lines. Today’s plan for
the Firestone Fire is to continue mop-up, patrol, chipping and suppression repair where needed.
Weather and Fire Behavior: Warm and dry conditions continue. Low humidity recovery overnight and dry daytime
airmass will result in another early start to the burn period today, with several hours of active burning starting mid-day.
The threat of isolated torching will diminish daily as there is less heat present under the tree canopy in the interior of
the fire and adjacent to containment lines.

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/alertsnotices.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deschutesnationalforest/
InciWeb: 
inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ordef-bachelor-complex-fires
inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ordef-flat-top-and-firestone-fires

YouTube: 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