Single Publication

Lookout, Bedrock, Petes Lake, Horse Creek and Pothole Fires
Tuesday, October 3, 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: 377 | 10 engines | 6 crews | 2 dozers | 3 water tenders | 1 masticators | 2 helicopters

(Walterville, Ore.) – Crews continue to make progress toward completing incident objectives on the fires.  On some fires, success is measured by percentage of containment and on others, it is defined by completing objectives that have a high probability of protecting lives and property without causing undue risk to personnel. Incident managers are continuously evaluating and refining strategies while working toward completing incident objectives of ensuring the protection of communities, infrastructure, resources and most importantly, public and firefighter lives.

Containment on the Lookout Fire remains at 50 percent. Containment is achieved when control lines are in place and fuels have been removed, either by burning or physical removal, between the control lines and the fire’s edge. On the northern edge of the Lookout Fire, dense stands of danger trees posed unacceptable risks to firefighter safety. As an alternative to building containment lines here, personnel improved existing roadways elsewhere in safer terrain to create a continuous fuel break that would halt fire were it to spread north. The onset of autumn weather abated fire growth before reaching these lines. Therefore, they are not categorized as containment lines, because they are not directly on the fire’s edge. Similar tactics have been employed on the Petes Lake Fire. 

Crews are engaged in crucial repair work around the fire, with a focus on minimizing soil erosion and supporting ecosystem recovery. Activities include removal of woody debris and suppression-generated materials, drainage and culvert clearing and constructed fire line naturalization, all of which contribute to rehabilitation of the affected areas. Yesterday, fire personnel discovered a significant amount of structure protection equipment left behind and wet weather is delaying some work.  Fire managers will pause large-scale demobilization of resources while the impact of these factors is assessed.

Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER): Soil scientists from the Lookout BAER Team have finalized the soil burn severity map. Specialists assigned to the incident have been using draft versions of this map to take into the burned areas and ground truth initial findings. Field work is finishing up today in the highest burn severity areas to note the potential for debris flows and confirm any elevated potential for human health and safety risks in and near developed recreation areas and critical infrastructure.

Weather: Light rain will linger over the fire area this morning. As a high-pressure front moves into the area later today, a period of warming and drying will persist late into the week. 

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.