Updated 9/14/2023 10:30AM
Official Facebook Page for the Lookout Fire can be found here.
Donations to help evacuees and the McKenzie River community can be made here.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
https://www.watchduty.org/ The Watch Duty app is available for download on your smartphone for up to date information on wildfires in your area.
Deathball Mt. Cam – Lookout Fire over Rainbow, OR: https://www.ipcamlive.com/deathballptz
The Lookout Fire is currently burning on the Willamette National Forest north of the community of McKenzie Bridge.
Lookout/Horse Creek/Pothole/Bedrock Fires
September 14, 2023 – Morning Update
Lookout: Total Personnel: 625 | Size: 24,610 acres l Start Date: August 5, 2023 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 50%
Resources: 24 engines l 11 crews l 5 bulldozers l 26 water tenders l 5 masticators l 3 helicopters l 2 skidders
Containment remains at 50% on Lookout Fire. Crews continue to construct line and improve roads on the northern portion of the fire where fire activity has picked up. As a result, some smoke production may be apparent. Patrol, monitoring, and repair on the east and south sides of the fire continue and interior hot spots are being extinguished when located.
Horse Creek: Total Personnel: 70 |Size: 763 acres l Start Date: August 24, 2023 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 90%
Resources: 5 engines l 1 crew l 1 bulldozer l 2 water tenders l 2 masticator l 1 excavator | 3 skidders
Containment remains at 90% and with no additional growth on the fire. Chipping and clearing of debris from indirect lines continues, allowing for safe travel. Crews continue to patrol and monitor, extinguishing hot spots as they are found along the west, north, and south sides of the fire, strengthening and holding the containment lines.
Pothole: Total Personnel: 18 |Size: 109 acres l Start Date: August 25, 2023 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 90%
Resources: 1 engine l 1 water tender |1 masticator | 1 excavator
Containment remains at 90% and with no additional growth on the fire. Crews continue to patrol and monitor the line, mopping up the interior of the fire, and snuffing hot spots as they are found.
Bedrock: Total Personnel: 158 | Size: 31,590 acres l Start Date: July 22, 2023 l Cause: under investigation l Containment: 90%
Resources: 6 engines l 4 crews l 5 bulldozers l 13 water tenders l 4 masticators l 3 helicopters l 1 skidder
Containment remains at 90% on Bedrock Fire and acreage remains unchanged. Work with Resource Advisors (READ) continues to implement priority repair work based upon the READs input. Backhauling of excess equipment has begun and suppression repair along roads continues. As crews work on suppression repair, they are working towards a result of returning the affected area, as close as possible, to pre-fire conditions.
All Fires: What does it mean to patrol and monitor the line? Crews will work their way back and forth attentively over the length of the control line to prevent fire from crossing over the line, to suppress any spot fires, and to extinguish overlooked hotspots.
Weather
Yesterday was the start to a drier warmer period which will last into the weekend. Temperatures were up and humidities were down. Today will continue the warmer and drier trend along with a light easterly flow. This pattern is bringing a day of elevated fire weather conditions and a possibility of light to moderate of the fire.
Evacuation Update
Linn County Evacuations: For the Lookout and Horse Creek fires, the Linn County Sheriff Offices announced an Evacuation Alert change.
• All LEVEL 1 (BE READY) and LEVEL 2 (BE SET) Evacuation Alert Levels are lifted completely.
• All LEVEL 3 (GO NOW) Evacuation Alerts are downgraded to a LEVEL 1 (BE READY) preparedness level.
Lane County Evacuations: There are no evacuation notices related to the Bedrock Fire. For the Lookout Fire additional reductions to many of the evacuation notices have been made. For the most specific guidance on evacuation level locations, please refer to the Lane County Wildland Evacuation Information web page: https://www.lanecounty.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=19730823
Forest Closures: The closure order for the Lookout Fire was reduced on September 7. Updated closures can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/…
Blue Pool, Sahalie Falls, and other popular recreation areas in the McKenzie River corridor are temporarily CLOSED due to the Lookout Fire emergency closure order. People are not allowed on any Forest Service lands, including roads and trails, within the closure area. This includes walking in to Blue Pool on foot. The emergency closure is in place for firefighter and public safety as the Lookout Fire is an active wildfire in the area. Law enforcement for the Willamette National Forest and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office are enforcing the closure with citations; vehicles in the closure area are liable to be towed. Help our firefighters and first responders by observing emergency closure areas so they can remain focused on responding to other critical safety needs in the area. Please stay informed as conditions can change quickly.
Restrictions: Fire Restrictions are in place on the Willamette National Forest. Visit the Willamette National Forest Website to view current forest closures. Temporary Flight Restrictions remain in place over the Bedrock and Lookout fire areas.
Smoke Outlook: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/4c92bc1a The Fire and Smoke Map (fire.airnow.gov) is another source for air quality information.
Lookout Information Line: 541-215-6735 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
Email: 2023.lookout@firenet.gov
Bedrock Fire Information: 541-414-6272 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
Email: 2023.bedrock@firenet.gov
To check road closures, please visit TripCheck