Single Publication

Lookout Fire                                                                       

August 17, 2023

Morning Update

Size: 4,271                                       

Start Date: August 5, 2023

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

Cause: Lightning

Total personnel:  816

Resources: 54 engines l 15 crews l 9 bulldozers l 20 water tenders l 4 masticators l 5 helicopters  OSFM Resources: 9 task forces
 

COMMUNITY MEETING: Today, 6:30-7:30 p.m., In-person at McKenzie High School, 51187 Blue River Dr, Vida, OR 97488 and live-streamed on Facebook.  Public Information Officers will answer questions in the comments section and the recording will be available following the meeting.

Current Situation: The Lookout Fire continues to stay north of Forest Road 700. Yesterday, as the smoke lifted, fire activity increased in the east. Last night, the fire spotted over the northeast portion of Forest Road 1506 to the Lane/Linn County line on a hillside just north of Budworm Creek. Today as smoke continues to lift, fire activity will increase. The fire is generally moving east because of west winds. In the north, south, and west the fire has had little movement and crews have been successful keeping the fire within their primary lines.

Today’s activities: Firefighters will be engaging the fire where it spotted across Forest Road 1506 using alternate lines to slow fire growth. On Forest Road 700, road crews are holding the fire north of the road and working to extinguish hot spots (mop up) after completing strategic firing operations. On the west of the fire, crews will be connecting control lines using Forest Road 2633 and the 725 spur.

Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) resources were joined by an additional California Office of Emergency Services (Cal-ORES) task force, bringing the total of structural task forces to nine. Task Forces working at the H.J. Andrews Forest Headquarters tested and confirmed sprinkler systems remained operational and effective, should they be needed. Crews also completed preparations on the Upper McKenzie Community Center and began work on the Belknap Bridge, which is listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Overnight, crews completed tactical patrols of fire areas.

Today, OSFM task forces will continue structural triage and surface preparations, which includes clearing receptive fuels from roofs, clearing gutters, and the relocation of flammable items to areas outside the preparation perimeter. Crews will also continue placing firefighter safety placards, which provide vital information regarding completed preparations in the event they need to protect and defend properties against fire.  

Evacuation Centers: There is an evacuation center for people and small pets at the Lowell High School for evacuees from the Bedrock and Lookout Fires. A large animal shelter is being set up at the Lane County Fairgrounds in Eugene.

Evacuations: There is a Level 3 (GO NOW) evacuation notice for

• Taylor Road
• North Bank Road
• All areas north of Highway 126 between Blue River Reservoir Road and Drury Lane
• Mona Campground
• Lookout Campground
• HJ Andrews Experimental Forest headquarters

There is a Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation notice for

• Areas south of Highway 126 from Blue River Reservoir Road east to Foley Ridge Road
• McKenzie River Drive

For current information please see Lane County’s website at: https://www.lanecountyor.gov/cms/one.aspx?pageId=19729054

Weather: Hot and dry. A heat advisory in effect today. West winds in the afternoon 5-10mph. A possibility of thunderstorms.

Closures: Highway 126 is currently open please monitor Trip check for any updates https://tripcheck.com/. 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 Outlook:  Heavy smoke has drifted into Central Oregon overnight. HAZARDOUS air quality is being seen in Sisters and VERY UNHEALTHY to UNHEALTHY levels in the Redmond and Bend areas. McKenzie and areas closer to the fire will continue to see high smoke impacts in the UNHEALTHY to HAZARDOUS ranges. The Willamette Valley is seeing improving conditions with only light smoke impacts expected. A slight chance for thunderstorm activity may create short term significant changes in smoke impacts. https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/4c92bc1a?

Information Line: 541-215-6735 8am-8pm |  Email: 2023.lookout@firenet.gov                                             

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

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