This story was updated at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17
Temperatures were in the 80s on Thursday in the Willamette Valley, a marked drop from the more than 100 degree days that contributed to unstable fire conditions for much of the week.
A large part of the U.S. Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Region is under a red flag warning issued by the National Weather Service on Monday.
The Willamette Valley has also been under multiple heat, smoke and pollution warnings.
Fire teams are working to contain a number of wildfires across Oregon. Here is the latest on those and on other wildfires burning across the state.
Bedrock Fire's slow growth leads structural crews to prepare Big Fall Creek homes
Prompting two evacuation warnings, the Bedrock Fire in the Willamette National Forest has grown to 27,226 acres. The fire’s spread is slowly creeping toward Big Fall Creek where firefighters and structural fire crews have started preparation work around homes.
The evacuations near Fall Creek were announced by the Lane County Sheriff’s Office Monday morning. The following areas are under a Level 3 “go now” evacuation notice:
- Peninsula Road east of Timber Creek.
- Big Fall Creek Road east from the intersection with Peninsula Road.
A Level 2, “be set” notice was also issued Monday morning for these areas:
- Big Fall Creek Road east of Winberry Creek Road east of Winberry Creek Road to Peninsula Road.
- Peninsula Road along the south of Fall Creek Reservoir to Timber Creek.
- Winberry Creek Road east of milepost 4.0.
Level 3 means leave immediately. Do not take time to gather things, there is immediate and imminent danger. Level 2 means anyone in the area should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
A shelter for people and small pets was opened by the Red Cross at Lowell High School, 65 Pioneer St. The shelter is available for evacuees from the Bedrock and Lookout fires.
For large animals or livestock sheltering, shelter is available at the Lane Events Center at 796 W. 13th Ave. in Eugene. Owners need to call or text Lane County Animal Services at 541-285-8227 before getting to the center and need to leave a message include the number and type of animals.
A non-emergency line for the Bedrock and Lookout fires can be reached at 541-682-2055 for any other evacuation information.
The two emergency closures issued for the Bedrock Fire and Salmon Fire in the Willamette National Forest are also still in place and can be found here.
On Wednesday, firefighters worked to protect structures and private lands as they focused on suppression efforts on the western perimeter of the fire, according to an update. Firefighters also continued to patrol the northern, eastern, and southern portions of the fire containment lines.
Some tactical firing operations on the west side of the fire were successful Wednesday, which allowed crews to create anchor points for firelines.
Winds cleared some smoke in the evening, also giving air crews better visibility for helicopters dropping water.
A community meeting about the Bedrock and Salmon fires will be held on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. with fire managers and agency representatives. The in-person meeting will take place at Pleasant Hill School Community Center. The meeting will also be recorded and posted to the Bedrock Fire Facebook page afterward.
The Bedrock Fire started July 22. The cause is still under investigation.
Lookout Fire keeping north of Forest Road 700, moving toward Lookout Creek
Just 3 miles north of McKenzie Bridge, the Lookout Fire grew to 4,271 acres by Thursday morning. Seven Oregon State Fire Marshal task forces are assigned to structural resources, protecting homes and buildings in the area.
An emergency closure issued for the Lookout Fire area expanded in the Willamette National Forest on Wednesday for public and firefighter safety. It replaces the previous closure made last week.
A level 3 evacuation was issued Sunday night. The following areas are under a “go now” notice:
- Taylor Road.
- North Bank Road.
- All areas north of Highway 126 between Blue River Reservoir Road and Drury Lane.
- Mona Campground.
- Lookout Campground.
- HJ Andrews Experimental Forest headquarters.
A Level 1 "be ready" order is also in effect for residents at:
- Areas south of Highway 126 from Blue River Reservoir Road east to Foley Ridge Road.
- McKenzie River Drive.
A Red Cross shelter is available for people and small pets at Lowell High School, 65 Pioneer St. The shelter is available for evacuees from the Bedrock and Lookout fires.
For large animals or livestock sheltering, shelter is available at the Lane Events Center at 796 W. 13th Ave. in Eugene. Owners need to call or text Lane County Animal Services at 541-285-8227 before getting to the center and need to leave a message include the number and type of animals.
A non-emergency line for the Bedrock and Lookout fires can be reached at 541-682-2055 for any other evacuation information.
A community meeting discussing information about the Lookout Fire will be held Thursday at McKenzie High School, 51187 Blue River Drive in Vida from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. That meeting will also be broadcast through the Lookout Fire 2023 Facebook page.
Firing operations from teams were successful, and the fire is staying north of Forest Road 700 and within control lines. The Lookout Fire was headed toward Lookout Creek but hasn't crossed it as of Thursday morning.
Oregon State Fire Marshal resources made it to the scene Monday afternoon to help with structural protection. A California Office of Emergency Services task force also joined containment efforts on Tuesday.
"Task forces (on Tuesday) continued surface preparation, triage of structures, and conducted overnight patrols along the 700 Road to monitor the fire," a Wednesday update from the fire team said. "Crews also completed preparations on the HJ Andrews Forest Compound, including sprinkler installations and vegetation clearing."
The Lookout Fire started after a lightning strike on Aug. 7. Task forces from across the state are working on the fire, including teams from Clatsop, Tillamook, Lane, Clackamas, Deschutes, Yamhill, and Marion counties.
Salmon Fire hits 95% containment
The 135-acre Salmon Fire is currently at 95% containment. Firefighters have continued mop-up efforts and are watching for hot spots around the fire perimeter.
Also burning in the Willamette National Forest and near the Bedrock Fire, the Salmon Fire’s level 1 evacuation is still in place.The two fires are burning close enough near each other that fire teams are able to share resources and management.
The Salmon Fire started Aug. 5. The cause is still under investigation.
Wiley Creek Fire evacuation levels downgraded
The fourth fire burning in the Willamette National Forest is the 245-acre Wiley Creek Fire.
The perimeter of the fire has no active fire, containment lines are being held and mop-up efforts have been started by firefighters. The fire is listed at 40% containment.
Burning 9 miles southeast of Sweet Home, the fire's level 2 "be set" evacuation notice was downgraded to a level 1 "be ready" by the Linn County Sheriff's Office for areas including:
- The intersection of Highway 20 at Whiskey Butte Drive then continuing down Whiskey Butte Drive.
- Cedar Creek Road, extending south to Wiley Creek Road.
- From the intersection of Cedar Creek Road and Wiley Creek Road, east along the south boundary of the Willamette National Forest area to Swamp Mountain Road.
- Along Swamp Mountain Road north to Highway 20.
Road systems within the evacuation area are closed to everyone but residents who live there and emergency response vehicles.
Crews are pushing in from the perimeter of the fire and mop-up efforts will continue 100 feet into the fire's footprint.
Green Peter Reservoir has reopened for recreation after the temporary closure for fire suppression efforts was lifted Wednesday. Those air resources were being used for all four fires in the Willamette National Forest.
Fuzztail Fire burning 5 miles south of Bend
A new fire was reported Tuesday afternoon, burning just 5 miles south of Bend. The Fuzztail Fire had grown to 12 acres as of Wednesday, according to an update from Central Oregon Fire Information.
Firefighters were continuing mop-up efforts and securing control lines on Wednesday. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The fire prompted evacuations from Swamp Wells Horse Camp in the Deschutes National Forest. Two trail closures are also in place for Swamp Wells Trail from Forest Road 18 south to Swamp Wells Horse Camp and the entirety of Fuzztail Butte Trail.
Flat Fire at 58% containment
Reported at 58% containment, the Flat Fire’s behavior is listed as smoldering and creeping. The fire has burnt 33,895 acres, just 2 miles southeast of Agness and near the confluence of the Illinois and Rogue rivers.
The fire has been listed as “human-caused” after starting on July 15 at Oak Flat Campground. No other information has been released.
A level 1, “get ready” evacuation warning from the Curry County Sheriff's Office is still in place for part of the Flat Fire.
The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest’s closure also remains in the fire area. That includes part of the Illinois River, roads, trails and campgrounds. The full closure list can be found on the Forest Service’s website.
Resources from the air are being used to monitor hot spots. Most of the fire's activity is small pockets inside of the fire's footprint. Crews are keeping a close watch for any flare-ups.
“All resources are in place, patrolling contained fire lines, monitoring for fire behavior changes and utilizing both heavy equipment,” the fire team said in an update on Wednesday. “Some resources will continue to be available for initial attack as well as assisting with the O’Brien Creek Fire (burning in Curry County) and new starts to the south in Six Rivers National Forest.”
Command of the fire will transfer to Southwest Team 3 on Friday morning.
Abigail Landwehr is an outdoors journalism intern for the Statesman Journal. She can be reached atalandwehr@gannett.com
