Single Publication

Lookout, Bedrock, Petes Lake, Horse Creek and Pothole Fires
Saturday, September 30, 2023 - Morning Update – 9:00 a.m.

 

Lookout Fire: Size: 25,751 acres | Start Date: August 5 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 50%

Bedrock Fire: Size: 31,590 acres | Start Date: July 22 l Cause: Under Investigation l Containment: 98%

Petes Lake Fire: Size: 3,254 acres | Start Date: August 25 | Cause: Lightning | Completion: 80%

Horse Creek Fire: Size: 763 acres | Start Date: August 24 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 100%

Pothole Fire: Size: 109 acres | Start Date: August 25 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 100%

Total Assigned Personnel: 521 | 13 engines | 11 crews | 2 dozers | 4 water tenders | 1 masticator | 2 helicopters

(Walterville, Ore.) – The Lookout fire area received an estimated half an inch of rain in the past 24 hours, limiting fire behavior to an internal smolder. However, this weather has resulted in slick and muddy forest roads, particularly where most suppression repair is ongoing. To avoid causing further damage, yesterday’s efforts were focused on paved surfaces. 

Suppression Repair: Repair work will continue as weather permits, focusing on rehabilitating areas affected by suppression actions. This includes naturalizing hand and dozer lines, removing suppression-generated materials, and stabilizing soil to prevent erosion. Most of the fires experienced continuous rain, leaving the ground too wet for dozer line repair and roads too hazardous for access, especially in the southeastern region of the Lookout Fire.  A drying trend is forecast, allowing work in these areas to resume as conditions improve. Repair activities remain extensive and ongoing, ensuring that ecosystems and landscapes are restored to their natural states while prioritizing safety. 

Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER): Similar to the BAER assessment on the Bedrock Fire, an Emergency Response Team of resource specialists has begun field surveys and assessments for the burned areas of the Lookout, Pothole, and Horse Creek fires. The team will inventory critical values, assess risk and determine the need for emergency measures and treatments on the Forest. For more information and updates regarding this BAER team’s assessment, follow the Willamette National Forest Facebook and the Lookout Fire Facebook.

Weather: A drying trend is predicted to move into the area this afternoon. Temperatures will remain with highs in the lower 60s and overnight lows into the 40s. Temperatures will increase, with highs reaching the upper 70s in the coming week. 

Forest Closures: The Willamette National Forest adjusted closure orders for the Lookout Fire yesterday. There are no emergency closures in place from the Petes Lake Fire at this time. Please visit the Willamette National Forest Official Website for updated fire closures and maps. Current emergency closure orders on National Forest System lands may affect some hunting units. For specific hunting related questions, contact Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at (503) 947-6000.

Restrictions: Due to recent rainfall and cooler temperatures, the Willamette National Forest rescinded public use (fire) restrictions, lowered the fire danger level to “low” and reduced the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) to IFPL I on Wednesday. Last Friday, the Deschutes National Forests dropped public use (fire) restrictions. Temporary Flight Restrictions over the fire areas have been lifted.