Single Publication

Saturday, September 23, 2023 - Morning Update 

Current Status:

Lookout Fire: Size: 25,751 acres l Start Date: August 5 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 50% 
Bedrock Fire: Size: 31,590 acres l Start Date: July 22 l Cause: under investigation l Containment: 98%   
Petes Lake Fire: Size: 3,254 acres l Start Date: August 25 l Cause: Lightning l Completion: 50%  
Horse Creek Fire: Size: 763 acres l Start Date: August 24 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 100% 
Pothole Fire: Size: 109 acres l Start Date: August 25 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 100% 
Total Personnel: 763 

Total Assigned Resources: 24 engines l 17 crews l 5 dozers l 21 water tenders l 3 masticators l 8 helicopters  

Suppression:  Over the past week, the Lookout Fire and Bedrock Fire have primarily displayed creeping and smoldering behavior, resulting in negligible fire growth. With minimal fire activity and precipitation moving into the region, the Lookout Fire is not predicted to grow much beyond its current footprint and efforts have shifted predominantly to patrol, monitor, and suppression repair. This strategy is based on the improved conditions, hard to access areas in the northern portions of the fire, and a reduced threat to people and property. Firefighters working on the Petes Lake Fire made progress towards completing chipping and mastication along the Crescent Lakes Highway and Forest Road 4628, near the Deschutes Bridge and Cascade Lakes Highway junction. The Horse Creek Fire and Pothole Fire continue to be patrolled, although there have been no signs of heat near the containment lines. 

Suppression Repair: Repair work is ongoing across the Bedrock Fire and Lookout Fire. In areas where the fire burned hot and completely consumed vegetation, the soil's ability to absorb water is compromised, heightening the risk of mudslides and floods. Rainfall can lead to the erosion of loose soil, increasing sedimentation in water sources. Additionally, saturated soil weakens trees, making them susceptible to falling, posing risks to individuals. Post-fire repair efforts are imperative to mitigate these hazards and enhance the long-term health of fire-affected areas.

In the Bedrock Fire area, significant progress has been made with 13.2 miles of dozer line repair and 6.6 miles of handline rehabilitation completed. Crews have completed the clearing of ditches obstructed by slash and logs along Forest Road 1825. Repair efforts have primarily focused on mid-slope roads in the southern region and on higher-elevation, native surface, non-aggregate roads in the northern portions of the fire. Across the Lookout Fire, repair work is taking place within all divisions, including hauling logs and chipping in the northern portion of the fire. There are 28 miles of proposed dozer line repairs, of which 3.7 miles have been completed. Efforts are being directed towards completing dozer repair work on the north end In the Horse Creek Fire. Furthermore, Resource Advisors and hand crews are actively engaged in seeding and applying straw in disturbed areas along roads and dozer lines on the Bedrock Fire. This action aims to prevent erosion and inhibit the spread of invasive plants, utilizing a mixture of yarrow and native grasses for seeding. 

Weather: Last night, the cloud cover interrupted the cooling trend with overnight lows in the upper 40s. Today will be the last dry day in the forecast as a cooling trend sets in with temperatures in the mid 50s to low 60s. Showers are possible overnight leading into consistently rainy days through much of next week.

Linn County Evacuations: Visit the Linn County Wildfire map for current evacuation information.

Lane County Evacuations: Visit the Lane County Lookout Fire Evacuation Areas map for current evacuation information.

Deschutes County Evacuations: Visit the Deschutes County Emergency Information map for current evacuations information.

Forest Closures: Emergency closure orders remain in place for the Willamette National Forest and the Deschutes National Forest. For information on Oregon hunting regulations and these forest closures, contact Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at (503) 947-6000.

Restrictions: Fire Restrictions are in place on the Willamette National Forest and Deschutes National Forest. Temporary Flight Restrictions remain in place over the Bedrock and Lookout Fire areas.

Smoke Outlook: A smoke outlook for West-Central Oregon includes the Lookout, Bedrock, Petes Lake, Horse Creek, and Pothole Fires. Another source for air quality information is the Fire and Smoke map from airnow.gov.

Fire Information:

Email: 2023.lookout@firenet.gov
Phone: 541-215-6735 (8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)

Facebook: 

• Lookout, Horse Creek, and Pothole Fires
• Bedrock Fire
• Petes Lake Fire

InciWeb: 

• Lookout, Horse Creek, and Pothole Fires
• Bedrock Fire
• Petes Lake Fire