Single Publication

Lookout, Horse Creek, Pothole & Bedrock Fires 

Monday, September 18, 2023 - Morning Update  

Lookout, Horse Creek and Pothole Fires Total Personnel: 763  Assigned Resources: 24 engines l 12 crews l 4 dozers l 23 water tenders l 7 masticators l 4 helicopters l 2 skidders 

Lookout Fire: Size: 25,467 acres l Start Date: August 5 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 50% 

Firefighters held containment lines as fire activity increased Sunday afternoon. Helicopters and Fire Bosses (single engine fixed-wing air tankers) dropped water on the northern perimeter. More seasonable cooler weather is returning to the fire area Monday, which is expected to moderate fire activity through the week. Although the fire will be less active, firefighters have an array of tasks to complete on this wildfire, including mop up, slash chipping, woody debris removal, repairing dozer lines, and building water bars. Water bars, or small trench constructed with hand tools or excavators on a sloping containment line, are erosion control measures designed to channel water in burned areas. The post-suppression operations are essential to restoring the area to a natural state before seasonal rain and snow arrive to prevent roads from washing out, reduce future fuel loading and provide protection for waterways. 

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

The Horse Creek Fire is now 100 percent contained. Patrol and mop up operations are ongoing, while also repairing containment lines. One of the immediate tasks includes chipping and removing woody debris so that this material does not become a potential hazard to forest users or a future fuel source for wildfires. 

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

The Pothole Fire is 100 percent contained. Firefighters continue to patrol and monitor. Resources are repairing the impact on the landscape, as a big part of firefighting is the clean-up process after a fire is contained. 

Bedrock Fire: Total Personnel: 107 | Size: 31,590 acres l Start Date: July 22 l Cause: under investigation l Containment: 98%   

Assigned Resources: 5 engines l 2 crews l 13 water tenders l 3 masticators l 3 dozers l 1 skidder  

Following the guidance of resource advisors, fire crews and heavy equipment operators are engaged in suppression repair throughout the Bedrock Fire perimeter. A significant amount of work remains even though the fire is mostly contained. Resources committed to stabilizing the burned area still face hazards. The Fall Creek area features steep, inaccessible terrain and has had four large wildfires in the last 20 years (Bedrock, Gales, Jones and Clark fires). Many of the road systems remain unsafe for travel and one of the suppression repair missions is to maintain safe forest access for the public, forest staff and firefighters for years to come. 

Weather: A trough or cold front will bring offshore flow into the region Monday. Expect increased cloud cover, lower temperatures, and higher relative humidities into Tuesday. Max temperatures will be in the mid-70s and minimum relative humidity will be 25 to 35 percent. There is a chance of precipitation across the fire area on Wednesday and Thursday with below average temperatures and high relative humidities into the weekend. 

Linn County Evacuations: A Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation notice remains in place for the Lookout Fire. Visit the Linn County Sheriff’s Office website for current info: https://www.linnsheriff.org/wildfire_live_updates. 

Lane County Evacuations: There are NO evacuations for the Bedrock Fire. Near the Horse Creek and Lookout fires, Horse Creek Road east of the Horse Creek Bridge remains in Level 2 (Be Set) evacuation status. Additionally, some areas along Highway 126 and the eastern portion of Blue River Reservoir are under a Level 1 (Ready) evacuation notice. Visit the Lane County website for more information and to view the interactive evacuation map: https://www.lanecountyor.gov/cms/one.aspx?pageId=19729054  

Forest Closures: Emergency closure orders remain in place for the Willamette National Forest. These closure can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=61574. Hunters are encouraged to check current Forest closures before heading out. Keep in mind, these closures are in place for both public and firefighters safety. For current information regarding Oregon hunting regulations, contact Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at (503) 947-6000 or visit https://myodfw.com 

Restrictions: Fire Restrictions are in place on the Willamette National Forest. For more information, visit the Willamette National Forest website. 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 Fire Information:  Email: 2023.lookout@firenet.gov   

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LookoutFire2023  

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/orwif-lookout-fire   

Bedrock Fire Information: Email: 2023.bedrock@firenet.gov   

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BedrockFire2023/ 

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-bedrock-fire 

Fire Information Phone Line: 541-215-6735 (staffed 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)