Single Publication

August 26, 2023 

Morning Update  

Size: 18,888 acres                             

Start Date: August 5, 2023  

Cause: Lightning  

Containment: 16% 

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

Total personnel: 992 

Resources: 53 engines l 19 crews l 18 bulldozers l 28 water tenders l 11 masticators l 7 helicopters  
 

Current Situation: Crews responded to a lightning started fire in the Horse Creek drainage south of the Lookout Fire early Friday morning. Oregon Department of Forestry resources and firefighters from the Lookout Fire responded, including two engine crews, two 20-person hand crews, two bulldozers, and heavy helicopters dropping water and retardant. The fire is estimated to be 25 acres in size and crews have been able to complete control lines around the north, south, and west sides of the fire.  Retardant has been deployed around the entire perimeter and firefighters will continue suppression operations today.  

The weather forecast for today is similar to yesterday, with hot, dry conditions and light east and northwest winds battling over the fire area, which will increase fire activity most notably on the northeastern flank. A chance of thunderstorms is also predicted.  

On the east flank, crews are prepared to respond to potential spot fires over control lines as the main fire backs down toward Highway 126. On the southern flank above North Bank Road, burning operations have produced desirable effects as ground fuels are consuming with little torching or crowning being observed. Firefighters contained three spot fires over the powerline road yesterday, and mop-up is underway. 

On the southwestern flank moving north up Mill Creek Road, firefighters are steadily increasing containment as mop-up and strategic firing operations progress. Ahead of the northern flank, hand crews and engine crews, tree-fallers and heavy equipment are preparing roads to be used as control lines. Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) or drones are flying through the smoke to provide infrared heat imaging to locate additional threats to control lines. Drones are also supporting firing operations in areas that are hard to access, which reduces risk to firefighters. 

Two structural protection groups of firefighters are in place to protect homes affected 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.  

Pacific Northwest Incident Management Team (IMT) 6 is transitioning today with Pacific Northwest (PNW) Team 2. PNW Team 2 is also managing the Bedrock Fire, estimated at 31,568 acres with 50% containment.  

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

Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation notice for Mona Campground, Lookout Campground, H.J. Andrews Headquarters, the area west of Hwy. 126 from Scott Rd. north into Linn County. 

There is a Level 2 (Be Set) for Horse Creek Road, Hall Rd, Sullivan Ln., Alma Dr., Old Foley Ridge Rd., 5600blk of Delta Dr. Areas south of McKenzie Hwy. from milepost 50.5 to milepost 54, Horse Creek Lodge, Foley Hot Springs, North Bank Rd. 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 east of the .5 mile mark on Mill Creek Rd. to the east end of Taylor Rd. Hwy 126 from the Hwy 242 junction to Scott Rd. Belknap Hot Springs Rd. The area east of Hwy. 126 from Scott Rd. north into Linn County. Areas north of Hwy. 126 west of the .5 mile mark on Mill Creek Rd. to Blue River, Reservoir Rd. at the 1501 junction, 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. 

 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, The area south of Hwy 126 from the McKenzie River Bridge just east of Taylor Rd. to Scott Creek Rd., McKenzie River Dr. and areas directly to the south and east, Belknap Springs Rd. South. 

For Linn County evacuation updates visit:  https://www.linnsheriff.org/  

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.  

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  

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