Single Publication

Lookout/Horse Creek/Pothole/Bedrock Fires

September 9, 2023

Morning Update

Lookout: Total Personnel: 784

Size: 24,457 acres l Start Date: August 5, 2023 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 35%

Resources: 34 engines l 15 crews l 6 bulldozers l 30 water tenders l 9 masticators l 5 helicopters l 1 Skidder

Helicopters dropped 88,280 gallons of water in suppression operations. Crews will focus efforts to strengthen the handlines in the southeast perimeter where heat is still present. The spot fire east of Highway 126 is expected to be contained in the next few days as crews have done extensive work in the evenings.  Firefighters are monitoring the forecasted weather. If favorable fire weather allows, a burnout operation will take place in the coming days to secure more of the fire’s perimeter in the northeast. Completed contingency lines on Forest Roads 15 and 1509 will see debris removed as crews look to rehab those areas. Hand crews and equipment are looking for ways to connect their containment lines along Forest Road 320 to provide an additional contingency line along northwest side of the fire.

Horse Creek: Total Personnel: 171

Size: 756 acres l Start Date: August 24, 2023 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 45%

Resources: 12 engines l 4 crews l 2 bulldozers l 6 water tenders l 3 masticators l 2 Excavators

A field observer hiked the perimeter of the fire with a GPS to collect more accurate acreage, resulting in a reduced size of the fire. As crews and equipment continue adding more containment, repair and rehabilitation to the fire’s scar on forest roads will amplify.  

Pothole: Total Personnel: 74    

Size: 109 acres l Start Date: August 25, 2023 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 40%

Resources: 3 engines l 2 crews l 3 water tenders

Firefighters added more containment line to the fire with mop up and hand lines. Heat remains in the southeast section which has very steep cliffs. As the area is inaccessible, crews will continue to monitor the activity and quickly respond should the fire make any unanticipated movement.

Bedrock: Total Personnel: 276

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

Resources: 13 engines l 5 crews l 4 bulldozers l 18 water tenders l 7 masticators l 5 helicopters l 1 Skidder

Heavy equipment and crews continue to repair the suppression activities along Big Fall Creek Road. This work will remain for the coming days because of the fire’s extensive damage. In the southern section of the fire, chipping and dangerous tree removal continues. Crews are still monitoring uncontained areas in steep and rugged terrain. Due to the tedious nature of clean up, it will take several days to rehab the area.

Weather

Temperatures will be in the mid-70’s to mid-80’s today. Relative humidity will be similar to yesterday reaching 25-30% in the lower valleys and 25-50% on mid slopes and ridges. Fire Incident Meteorologists are predicting a 5% chance of rain and thunderstorms activity in the east. They will be monitoring carefully and will let operations know of winds and weather changes to adjust operation tactics. Gusty outflow winds and lightning are a possibility.

Evacuation Update

Lane County Sheriff is 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/ 

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: The closure order for the Lookout Fire was reduced Sept. 7th due to successful firefighting efforts on the Horse Creek and Pothole Fires. Castle Rock Trailhead, Kings Castle Trailhead, McKenzie Bridge Boat Launch and other recreation sites and trailheads are open. Updated closures can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=61574

Restrictions: Fire Restrictions are in place on the Willamette National Forest. Visit the Willamette National Forest  Website to view current forest closures. 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: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-bedrock-fire