Single Publication

Bachelor Complex Fire Update

September 25, 2024

Quick Facts: Bachelor Complex

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

Personnel: 140                          Containment: 50%

Today, a cold front will move through the Pacific Northwest, allowing for strong and gusty southwest winds, leading to near critical fire weather in the area. This may lead to an increase in fire activity and increased smoke coming from the Bachelor Complex fires. There is about a 15% chance for wetting rain with the band of moisture moving in with the front, and a few hundredths of an inch will be possible. Thunderstorms are possible in the surrounding areas. 

Bachelor Complex: 

Yesterday, in the southeastern area of the fire the chipping operation was completed. On the northeast flank, firefighters finished line construction near the Edison Trail and will continue to mop-up and patrol in the area. Firefighters continued work within the interior of the fire, taking down hazard trees along Forest Service Road 4525 and suppressing isolated pockets of heat with the help of helicopter bucket drops. On the uncontained northern edge of the Little Lava Fire near the base of Sheridan Mountain, the fire continued to back up against the slope and isolated small group torching was observed. 

Today’s weather and the potential for outflow winds from nearby thunderstorms increases the potential for perimeter growth in areas currently not contained. In the area of Forest Service Road 45 and on the southern edge of the fire, patrol and mop-up efforts are ongoing as crews address any areas of heat found near the line. Suppression repair efforts continue today on the fire and preparation work on line construction on the westside of the fire. Forest Service Road 45 continues to be closed due to firefighting efforts in the area and safety concerns from fire weakened trees near the roadway. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: A cold front will move through the Pacific Northwest today, allowing for possible strong and gusty southwest winds, and slight chances for light precipitation. Winds will be out of the southwest for much of the day, around 12-15 mph sustained with gusts up to 25-30 mph. Cloud cover is expected over the fire area in the late afternoon and evening. Behind the passage of the frontal boundary on Thursday, mild and dry conditions will prevail with locally breezy westerly winds.

Closures: While evacuations have been lifted, there is still a temporary emergency fire closure in place on the Deschutes National Forest for the Bachelor Complex. To view the closure order and map, 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