Single Publication

Lookout/Horse Creek/Pothole Fires/Bedrock

September 6, 2023

Morning Update

Please join us tonight for a community meeting at the McKenzie High School Gymnasium at 7pm. The Great Basin Incident Management Team 2 will provide an overview of the fires and answer questions that participants might have.

Lookout: Total Personnel: 780

Size: 24,404 acres l Start Date: August 5, 2023 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 20%

Resources: 28 engines l 14 crews l 6 bulldozers l 25 water tenders l 9 masticators l 5 helicopters l 1 Skidder

Yesterday’s fire activity was low due to cooler temperatures and cloud coverage in the morning. New infrared flights provided more accurate mapping showing a reduction in acreage. On the northern side of the fire, crews will look to connect primary lines to existing road and trail networks. Mastication and log hauling will also continue to advance containment lines. Westside fire operations will continue with equipment and firefighters looking to merge primary and alternate lines. As conditions allow, aviation resources will support suppression efforts.

Horse Creek: Total Personnel: 154

Size: 765 acres l Start Date: August 24, 2023 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 30%

Resources: 11 engines l 3 crews l 4 bulldozers l 9 water tenders l 3 masticators l 3 Skidders l 1 Excavators

On Tuesday, firefighters’ efforts increased containment. Crews will monitor the eastern side of the fire where significant heat continues to hold in steep rugged terrain. Engines will carry on extinguishing, patrolling roads and removing burning material along completed fire lines.

Pothole: Total Personnel: 54    

Size: 109 acres l Start Date: August 25, 2023 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 35%

Resources: 3 engines l 1 crews l 3 water tenders

Fire activity was minimal yesterday giving crews the opportunity to increase containment lines. Patrolling and mop up operations on forest road 356 and fire lines will progress throughout the day to secure the fires perimeter.  

Bedrock: Total Personnel: 403

Size: 31,590 acres l Start Date: July 22, 2023 l Cause: under investigation l Containment: 90%

Resources: 17 engines l 11 crews l 3 bulldozers l 17 water tenders l 7 masticators l 5 helicopters l 4 Skidder

The suppression group, in conjunction with the repair group, will continue falling dangerous trees on the west side of the fire. Crews will continue clearing and chipping operations on the north and south sides. Excess fire equipment; pumps, hose, and portable water tanks continue to be removed and returned to base camp for servicing and cleaning as the fire moves towards patrol status.

Weather 

Warmer and dryer conditions will persist over the next few days. Evening temperatures will remain cool. Relative humidity will hover around 30-40% while daytime temperatures remain steady in the 70’s with potential to increase over the next few days. Winds will be coming from the west to northwest ranging from 4 to 8 mph.

Evacuation Update

Lane County Sheriff have been consistently assessing the Evacuation levels as firefighters increase containment. Additional information and potential revisions can be found at the following websites.

Lane County Evacuations: https://www.lanecountyor.gov/cms/one.aspx?pageId=19729054   

Linn County Evacuations:  https://www.linnsheriff.org/ 

Evacuation Centers: An evacuation center is in place at Westridge Middle School in Oakridge for evacuees and small pets from the Horse Creek and Lookout Fires. For assistance with large animal evacuations, please call 541-285-8227. 

Road Closures:

Highway 242, McKenzie Highway, is closed between milepost 61-76, 14 miles west of Sisters, Oregon to just east of the junction with Highway 126. Highway 126 is currently open. Please monitor Trip Check for any updates at: https://tripcheck.com/   

Forest Closures: Willamette National Forest reduced the closure area for the Bedrock fire due to successful firefighting efforts. Many popular sites and trails have re-opened including the Alpine Trail. There are no changes to closure areas for the Lookout, Horse Creek, and Pothole fire areas at this time. These closures help provide firefighters with safer driving conditions and decrease the potential for search and rescue operations that could interrupt firefighting activities. Closures can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd552029

Restrictions: Fire Restrictions are in place on the Willamette National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/willamette. Temporary Flight Restrictions remain in place over the Bedrock and Lookout fire areas.  

Smoke Outlook: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/4c92bc1a The Fire and Smoke Map (fire.airnow.gov) is another source for air quality information.   

Lookout Information Line: 541-215-6735   (8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)

Email: 2023.lookout@firenet.gov                                              

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LookoutFire2023 

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/orwif-lookout-fire  

Bedrock Fire Information: 541-414-6272 (8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)

Email: 2023.bedrock@firenet.gov

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BedrockFire2023/

InciWeb Bedrock: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-bedrock-fire