Single Publication

Lookout Fire                                                                       

August 15, 2023

Morning Update

Lookout Fire Quick Facts

Size: 2,720 acres                                             

Start Date:  August 5, 2023

Point of Origin: 3 miles North of McKenzie Bridge, OR

Cause: Lightning

Total personnel: 403

Resources: 9 Engines

9 crews

7 bulldozers

7 water tenders

4 helicopters

Structural Resources: 7 OSFM Task Forces

Current Situation: The fire has remained within primary control lines and stayed north of Forest Road 700. Firefighters started strategic firing operations from Forest Road 700 overnight to consume fuel between them and the fire, slowing fire spread.  The fire backed down to Lookout Creek.  Firefighters will use the creek as an anchor point to prevent fire spread.

Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) resources began arriving on the Lookout Fire yesterday afternoon, integrating into operations and assisting with structural protection. The conflagration declared just after 6 p.m. on Sunday evening allowed the mobilization of additional task forces from around the state, as well as an OSFM Incident Management Team. OSFM Blue Team joined NW Team 6 in unified command Monday morning at 6 a.m. Task Forces currently assigned to the fire are from Clatsop, Tillamook, Lane, Clackamas, Deschutes, Yamhill, and Marion Counties. Structure crews have been establishing situational awareness, assessing structural access, and beginning surface preparations.

Today’s activities: Firefighters will continue preparation work on Forest Road 700, using heavy equipment to ensure the fire stays north of the road. Firefighters are scouting nearby roads to connect primary control lines. Aviation suppression resources will continue to be used to slow fire activity while crews work on the ground.

OSFM resources are working on the south end of the fire and working near homes on Taylor and North Bank doing triage and preparation, as well as assisting wildland resources.

COMMUNITY MEETING: Thursday, August 17, 2023, 6:30-7:30 p.m., In-person at McKenzie High School, 51187 Blue River Dr, Vida, OR 97488 and virtually on Facebook.

Evacuations: There are some Level 3 evacuations North of Highway 126. For current information please see Lane County’s website at: https://www.lanecountyor.gov/cms/one.aspx?pageId=19729054

Weather: A red flag warning is effect for the area for hot, dry and unstable conditions.

Closures: Willamette National Forest 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

Smoke: Smoke Forecast Outlooks are available at https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook