Single Publication

Lookout Fire                                                                       

August 25, 2023

Morning Update

Size: 15,924 acres                           

Start Date: August 5, 2023

Cause: Lightning

Containment: 16%

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

Total personnel:   1,066

Resources: 48 engines l 21 crews l 17 bulldozers l 26 water tenders l 11 masticators l 7 helicopters
 

Current Situation: Gusty winds and hot, dry weather across the region resulted in increased fire behavior on the Lookout Fire on Thursday. Thunderstorms occurred over the area with lightning and no significant rainfall was recorded over the fire area; the fire remained active last night. Friday’s forecast calls for similar conditions with a chance of thunderstorms.

Containment on the fire’s west, southwest and southern flanks will grow as crews mop-up hot spots to reduce the risk of additional fire spread.  On the west flank, crews contained a spot fire across Mill Creek Road and searched for additional threats to control lines. Firing operations will progress to the north as favorable wind conditions allow. Ahead of the fire’s northern flanks, crews, tree-fallers and heavy equipment are preparing roads to be used as control lines.

The fire’s northeast flank has backed down to Deer Creek Road, and crews and heavy equipment have contained several small spot fires across the road. UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) or drones are flying through the smoke to provide Infrared imaging to locate additional threats to control lines. Drones are also supporting firing operations, especially in areas that are difficult to reach on foot.

On the fire’s southeast flank, crews are utilizing the powerline road above North Bank Road as a control line for burning operations. Residents in this area are seeing an increase in smoke, and firefighters are patrolling around the clock to detect spot fires across the powerline road.

Lightning started a new fire last night near Horse Creek, south of Highway 126. Crews from the Lookout Fire and local resources mobilized to find and contain the four-acre fire. Detection flights will take place this morning to search for new starts in the area of the Lookout Fire. 

Two structural protection groups of firefighters are in place to protect homes effected by the fire. Local agency firefighters and law enforcement officers will maintain a presence in evacuated areas. OSFM resources remain available to return to the incident should the need arise. 

Evacuation Centers: An evacuation center is in place at Westridge Middle School in Oakridge for evacuees and small pets from the Bedrock and Lookout Fires. A large animal shelter is established at the Lane County Fairgrounds in Eugene. 

Evacuations: In Lane County, there is a Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation notice for North Bank 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) for areas east of the McKenzie Bridge to, and including Drury Ln. north of Hwy. 126, but south of the McKenzie River, areas north of Hwy. 126 west of the .5 mile mark on Mill Creek Rd. to Blue River Reservoir Rd. at the 1501 junction, Areas north of Hwy. 126 east of the .5 mile mark on Mill Creek Rd. to the east end of Taylor Rd., Taylor Rd., The area south of Hwy 126 to the McKenzie River from the east end of McKenzie River Dr. to the McKenzie River Bridge just east of Taylor Rd., Highway 126 from the Highway 242 junction to Scott Road, Paradise Campground, FS Rd. 302, Belknap Hot Springs Rd., the areas east of Hwy. 126 from Scott Rd. north into Linn County.

There is a Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation notice for areas south of Hwy. 126 from Blue River Reservoir Rd. east to the east end of McKenzie River Dr, McKenzie River Dr. and areas directly to the south and east, The area south of Hwy 126 from the McKenzie River Bridge just east of Taylor Rd. to Scott Creek Rd, Belknap Springs Rd. S, Hwy 242 to FS Rd. 220, Yale Ln, Camp Yale Rd, FS Rd. 2643 southeast to the 445 spur.

For Lane County evacuation updates visit: https://www.lanecountyor.gov/cms/one.aspx?pageId=19729054    

In Linn County, there is a Level 3 (Go Now) from Olallie Campground and the Linn County line, north and west of Highway 126, extending north to Ice Cap Campground and Trailhead at Carmen Reservoir, then west to encompass Lakes End Campground and trail system at Smith Reservoir. Tamolitch Falls/Blue Pool is also within this LEVEL 3 (GO NOW) Evacuation Zone

A Level 2 (Be Ready) for the areas of Ice Cap Campground and Trailhead at Carmen Reservoir, north to where Ikenick Creek and Highway 126 intersect, and extending to the east in line with other evacuation boundaries enacted, and west along Highway 126. 

Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation zone for the areas north of where Ikenick Creek and Highway 126 intersect, 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, as well as Fish Lake and Campground. For current information please see Linn County’s website at https://www.linnsheriff.org/

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: 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