Single Publication

Lookout/Horse Creek/Pothole Fires/Bedrock

September 7, 2023

Morning Update

Lookout: Total Personnel: 721

Size: 24,417 acres l Start Date: August 5, 2023 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 25%

Resources: 28 engines l 13 crews l 5 bulldozers l 29 water tenders l 4 masticators l 5 helicopters l 3 Skidder

Firefighters continue to make good progress throughout the fire area. As a result of these actions, containment increased on the eastern flank and the Highway 126 corridor is now in patrol status. Additional direct line will continue to be constructed utilizing hand crews and bulldozers on the northeast side of the fire. The mastication operation is winding down, log hauling will continue. Firefighters are strengthening lines and addressing hot pockets of activity on the western flank. As conditions allow, aviation resources will continue to support suppression efforts.

Horse Creek: Total Personnel: 175

Size: 765 acres l Start Date: August 24, 2023 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 30%

Resources: 12 engines l 4 crews l 4 bulldozers l 9 water tenders l 3 masticators l 2 Excavators

Additional crews have been added to the fire to assist with rehabilitation and suppression. Crews will monitor and hold the eastern side of the fire where significant heat continues to hold in steep rugged terrain. Engines will carry on extinguishing, patrolling roads and removing burning material along completed fire lines.

Pothole: Total Personnel: 55    

Size: 109 acres l Start Date: August 25, 2023 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 35%

Resources: 3 engines l 1 crews l 3 water tenders

Fire activity remained minimal yesterday. The focus today will be to further secure the perimeter and address the many snags in the area. Patrolling and mop up operations on Forest Road 356 will continue throughout the day.  

Bedrock: Total Personnel: 395

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

Resources: 16 engines l 11 crews l 2 bulldozers l 18 water tenders l 7 masticators l 5 helicopters l 3 Skidder

Yesterday a UAS, unmanned aerial system, was used to fly the fire area using infrared technology to help identify areas holding heat. Clearing and chipping operations continue, primarily on the north and south sides. Excess fire equipment; pumps, hose, and portable water tanks continue to be removed and returned to base camp for servicing and cleaning as the fire moves towards patrol status.

Weather

Relative humidity will hover around 30% in the morning and will slowly increase throughout the day with the passage of a high level marine layer. Winds will increase with the passage of the front.

Evacuation Update

Lane County Sheriff has been 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/ 

Evacuation Centers: An evacuation center is in place at Westridge Middle School in Oakridge for evacuees and small pets from the Horse Creek and Lookout Fires. For assistance with large animal evacuations, please call 541-285-8227. 

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: Many popular sites and trails have re-opened including the Alpine Trail. There are no changes to closure areas for the Lookout, Horse Creek, and Pothole, and Bedrock fire areas at this time. These closures help provide firefighters with safer driving conditions and decrease the potential for search and rescue operations that could interrupt firefighting activities. 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. 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