Single Publication

Lookout Fire                                                                       

August 21, 2023

Morning Update

Size: 11,174 acres                           

Start Date: August 5, 2023

Cause: Lightning

Containment: 5%

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

Total personnel:   1,061

Resources: 65 engines l 19 crews l 13 bulldozers l 27 water tenders l 11 masticators l 7 helicopters

OSFM Resources: 5 task forces assigned to structure protection divisions
 

Current Situation: Fire activity was moderate on the Lookout Fire yesterday, with heavy smoke and light winds persisting into the evening. Cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and a slight chance of light rain is forecast for Monday and Tuesday before a warming trend returns on Wednesday.

Firefighters have established an anchor point on the fire’s southwest corner along the 700 Road. Hand crews, fire engine crews, tree-falling modules, masticators, feller-bunchers and bulldozers are clearing hazard trees and vegetation along Road 2633 and working to the north. Burning operations to secure these roads will take several days to complete.

Most of the fire’s spread is occurring on its eastern flank where the fire is backing downslope toward Deer Creek Road. Firefighters, fallers, and heavy equipment are working to clear vegetation along this road to help impede the fire’s progress toward Highway 126. Crews are installing pumps and hose along the McKenzie River where necessary to check the fire’s spread and protect values at risk such as homes and infrastructure.

An Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) or drone module is providing aerial reconnaissance to firefighters in the form of infrared (IR) imaging or scouting for spot fires over control lines. UAS are also integral to burning operations - they are capable of dropping incendiary “spheres” resembling ping pong balls, limiting the risks associated with helicopter-dependent firing operations. Unlike helicopters, UAS can also fly in areas of heavy smoke.

To relieve congestion at the command post at the McKenzie River airstrip, an additional incident base of operations is now in place in Walterville. Motorists are advised to use caution as an increase in fire vehicle traffic is occurring in the Camp Creek Road area and along Highway 126.

Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) task forces continue to assist our wildland partners in holding the fire north of the 700 road, along the southern edge of the fire. Structure prep is complete throughout the Level 3 evacuation zone and crews will continue to patrol these locations, monitoring the effectiveness and operability of existing efforts. Placarding and preparatory work continues along Highway 126, in lower-level evacuation zones. Work will continue at key resource and critical infrastructure locations within the eastern evacuation zones.

California Office of Emergency Services (Cal-OES) task forces will begin demobilizing this morning. The immediate response of these resources contributed to the rapid completion of preparatory work. Structure crews continue to complete tactical patrols around the clock, with two task forces assigned to day shift and three at night.

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

Evacuations: In Lane County, there is a Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation notice for Taylor Rd., North Bank Rd., all areas north of Highway 126 between Blue River Reservoir Rd. and Drury Ln., the area south of Highway 126 to the McKenzie River from the east end of McKenzie River Dr. to the McKenzie River Bridge just east of Taylor Rd., Mona Campground, Lookout Campground, H.J. Andrews Headquarters and  the area west of Highway 126 from Scott Rd. north into Linn County. There is a Level 2 (Be Set) from Highway 126 from the Highway 242 junction to Scott Rd., Paradise Campground, FS Rd. 302, Belknap Springs Rd. S., Belknap Hot Springs Rd., the area east of Highway 126 from Scott Rd. north into Linn County. 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 Dr., Highway 242 to FS Road. 220, Yale Ln., Camp Yale Road., FS Road. 2643 southeast to the 445 spur road. Residents of Horse Creek Road and King Road remain in a Level 1 evacuation notice.

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

In Linn County, there is a Level 3 (Go Now) for Olallie Campground, Trail Bridge Reservoir & Campground, and the trail systems and roadways north of the Linn County line, and west of Highway 126, extending north to intersection of National Forest Service Road 730 and Highway 126.

A Level 2 (Be Ready) for the area from the east side of Olallie Campground east to the Willamette National Forest Boundary, north along boundary to Ice Cap Campground and Trailhead, then west to encompass Lakes End Campground and trail system, and south in line with the intersection of National Forest Service Road 730 and Highway 126 (entrance to the Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric facility). Tamolitch Falls/Blue Pool and Smith Reservoir are within this Level 2 (be set) Evacuation Zone.                                                                                        

Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation zone for areas north of Ice Cap Campground, extending east to the Willamette National Forest boundary, and north in line with Highway 20. This includes all areas around Clear Lake, and Clear Lake Campground. For current information please see Linn County’s website at: https://www.linnsheriff.org/2023/08/lookout-fire-update-august-17-2023-330-p-m/

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/ 

Willamette National Forest closures can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd552029Restrictions: Fire Restrictions are in place on the Willamette National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/willamette

Smoke Outlook:  Smoke outlooks for Lookout Fire are available at:  https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/4c92bc1a?

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

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