Single Publication

Bedrock and Salmon Fires

News - 08/08/2023

Tactical burning is planned to secure lines on the northern edge of the Bedrock Fire today. Smoke from this operation is expected to be visible. 

Community Meeting:  There will be a virtual community meeting on Wednesday, August 9 at 6 PM on the Bedrock Fire Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BedrockFire2023/. Questions about the Salmon and Bedrock Fires can be submitted via Facebook prior to the meeting on the event page. 

Operations: Northwest Team 12 was assigned management responsibility for the Salmon Fire near Oakridge on Monday, so firefighting resources will be shared between these two fires. Helicopters and fixed wing air tankers flew numerous missions yesterday on the Bedrock and Salmon Fires to check the advance of these fires and support firefighters on the ground. The use of heavy helicopters working water buckets and “scooper planes” on the Salmon Fire allowed ground crews working day and night shifts to make good progress yesterday, holding the fire within a footprint of approximately 100 acres.  

As fire moves toward established control lines on the north edge of the Bedrock Fire, firefighters are planning tactical firing operations to improve and strengthen containment lines. Firing is scheduled to begin today if weather conditions permit. These planned burnout operations will generate a visible smoke column near Pernot Mountain.  

Evacuations: The Lane County Sheriff's Office issued a Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuation notice Monday morning for areas north and east of Oakridge because of the Salmon Fire. Please heed all evacuation notices and orders. A searchable evacuation map with fire perimeters for both fires is available at 

https://lcgisorg.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=32e4cd9a5c3348cd81254e6fa394e097. 

Smoke: Smoke across most areas will range from good to moderate. Smoke will peak in the unhealthy range in the midday hours in the Oakridge area and southeast along Highway 58. 

Weather: High pressure will remain over the fire area today, keeping conditions dry and clear. Winds will be terrain driven between 2 and 8 miles per hour with afternoon winds gusting to 13 mph. Temperatures will be slightly higher today, 79-85 degrees in the valleys and 70-75 degrees on ridges. 

Safety and Closures: The Willamette National Forest implemented the Bedrock Fire Emergency Area Closure on July 24, 2023 to ensure the safety of the public and personnel working on the fire. There is also an emergency closure for the Salmon Fire. The closure maps for the Bedrock and Salmon Fires are available on InciWeb. There are Temporary Flight  Restrictions over the Bedrock and Salmon Fire areas.