Fire activity was moderate on the Lookout Fire yesterday, with heavy smoke and light winds into the evening. Cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and a chance of rain are forecasted for Monday and Tuesday before temperatures rise on Wednesday.
Firefighters established an anchor point on the fire’s southwest corner along Forest Service Road 700. Hazard trees and vegetation are being removed along Road 2633 and to the north. Burning operations to secure these roads will take several days to complete.
Most of the fire’s spread is occurring on the eastern flank, where the fire is backing downslope toward Deer Creek Road. Firefighters, fallers, and heavy equipment are clearing vegetation along this road to stop the fire’s progress toward Highway 126. Crews are installing pumps and hoses along the McKenzie River to check the fire’s spread and protect homes and infrastructure.
An Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), or drone, provides aerial reconnaissance to firefighters with infrared (IR) imaging, scouting for spot fires over control lines. UAS are integral to burning operations. They are capable of dropping incendiary “spheres” resembling ping pong balls, limiting the risks associated with helicopter-dependent firing operations. Unlike helicopters, UAS can also fly in areas of heavy smoke.
To relieve congestion at the command post at the McKenzie River airstrip, another operations incident was created in Walterville. Motorists should use caution with increased fire vehicle traffic in the Camp Creek Road area and along Highway 126.
Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) task forces continue to assist our wildland partners in holding the fire north of Forest Service Road 700 along the fire’s southern edge. Structure prep is complete throughout the level 3 evacuation zone. Crews continue to patrol these locations for effectiveness and operability of existing efforts. Placarding and preparatory work continue along Highway 126 in lower-level evacuation zones. Work continues at key resource and critical infrastructure locations within the eastern evacuation zones.
California Office of Emergency Services (Cal-OES) task forces began demobilizing Monday morning. Their immediate response contributed to the rapid completion of preparatory work. Structure crews continue to complete tactical patrols around the clock with two task forces assigned to dayshift and three at night.
QUICK FACTS
Size: 11,174 acres
Start Date: August 5, 2023
Cause: Lightning
Containment: 5%
Point of origin: 3 miles North of McKenzie Bridge, OR
Total personnel: 1,061
Resources: 65 engines l 19 crews l 13 bulldozers l 27 water tenders l, 11 masticators l 7 helicopters
OSFM Resources: 5 task forces assigned to structure protection divisions
Evacuation Centers: An evacuation center is in place at Lowell High School for evacuees and small pets from Bedrock and Lookout fires. A large animal shelter is at the Lane County Fairgrounds in Eugene.
Evacuations: In Lane County, there is a Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation notice for Taylor Rd., North Bank Rd., all areas north of Highway 126 between Blue River Reservoir Rd. and Drury Ln., the area south of Highway 126 to the McKenzie River from the east end of McKenzie River Dr. to the McKenzie River Bridge just east of Taylor Rd., Mona Campground, Lookout Campground, H.J. Andrews Headquarters and the area west of Highway 126 from Scott Rd. north into Linn County.
There is a Level 2 (Be Set) from Highway 126 from the Highway 242 junction to Scott Rd., Paradise Campground, FS Rd. 302, Belknap Springs Rd. S., Belknap Hot Springs Rd., the area east of Highway 126 from Scott Rd. north into Linn County. There is a Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation notice for areas south of Highway 126 from Blue River Reservoir Road east to Foley Ridge Road., McKenzie River Dr., Highway 242 to FS Road. 220, Yale Ln., Camp Yale Road., FS Road. 2643 southeast to the 445 spur road. Horse Creek Road and King Road residents remain in a Level 1 evacuation notice.
For evacuation updates, please see Lane County’s website.
In Linn County, there is a Level 3 (Go Now) for Olallie Campground, Trail Bridge Reservoir & Campground, and the trail systems and roadways north of the Linn County line, and west of Highway 126, extending north to the intersection of National Forest Service Road 730 and Highway 126.
A Level 2 (Be Ready) for the area from the east side of Olallie Campground east to the Willamette National Forest Boundary, north along the boundary to Ice Cap Campground and Trailhead, then west to encompass Lakes End Campground and trail system, and south in line with the intersection of National Forest Service Road 730 and Highway 126 (entrance to the Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric facility). Tamolitch Falls/Blue Pool and Smith Reservoir are within this Level 2 (be set) Evacuation Zone.
Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation zone for areas north of Ice Cap Campground, 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.
Closures: Highway 242, McKenzie Highway, is closed between milepost 61-76, 14 miles west of Sisters to the east of the Hwy 126 junction. Highway 126 is open. Please monitor Trip Check for updates.
Willamette National Forest closures | Fire Restrictions
Information Line: 541-215-6735, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Email: 2023.lookout@firenet.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LookoutFire2023
