Single Publication

Lookout, Bedrock, Petes Lake, Horse Creek and Pothole Fires
Thursday, October 5, 2023 - Morning Update – 9:00 a.m.

Lookout Fire - Size: 25,751 acres | Start Date: August 5 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 60%

Bedrock Fire - Size: 31,590 acres | Start Date: July 22 l Cause: Under Investigation l Containment: 100%

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: 339 | 8 engines | 5 crews | 2 dozers | 3 water tenders | 1 masticator | 1 helicopter

(Walterville, Ore.) – With temperatures increasing as the weekend approaches, smoke may become visible around the Lookout Fire area as fire inside the perimeter becomes more active. Drier conditions will allow for heavy equipment to regain access to work areas after rain-slicked roads earlier in the week hampered efforts. The helicopter base, located near Sunriver, has been decommissioned but aerial resources will continue to stage locally. Crews will finalize work on the Horse Creek Fire today with efforts on the Bedrock Fire projected to finish soon. Most resources are assigned to the Lookout Fire, where the bulk of work remains. Structure protection equipment removal on the Lookout Fire is complete. 

Suppression repair efforts remain a key focus of the incident’s resolution, aiding in the recovery of the forest and reducing the risk of future fires.  Repair work across the Lookout Fire includes chipping and the removal of woody debris, drainage and erosion control as well as hand and dozer line improvement. 

Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER):  This will be the last update for the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) effort. The team has finalized its soil burn severity and vegetation mortality maps for the Lookout, Horse Creek and Pothole Fires. The overwhelming majority (80% and above) of the three fire areas experienced low to moderate burn severity. In areas with moderate to high burn severity on steep slopes, the team focused on identifying protection measures for values at risk including developed recreation sites, roads, historic and cultural sites. The final assessment and maps can be found on Inciweb.

Weather:  The warming and drying trend will continue into the weekend. Unseasonably high temperatures and low relative humidity are predicted. Breezy east winds will extend through Friday morning but are expected to stay below critical levels.  

Forest Closures: Established closures on the Willamette National Forest remain in place around fire-impacted areas, including the Lookout and Bedrock Fires. The public is urged to “Know Before You Go” by visiting the Willamette National Forest official webpage. For specific hunting-related questions, contact Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at (503) 947-6000. 

Safety:  Some fire-impacted areas remain closed as critical suppression repair work continues. The public is asked to exercise caution along roadways around the fire. Drivers should be extra vigilant along Forest Road 15 between Highway 126 and Highway 20, where crews and heavy equipment are traveling and engaging in suppression repair work.