Weekly Situation Report – August 21, 2023

August 21, 2023

National:  Preparedness Level 4 (This level involves three or more geographic areas experiencing large, complex wildfires requiring IMTs. Geographic areas are competing for wildland fire suppression resources and about 60 percent of the country’s IMTs and wildland firefighting personnel are committed to wildland fire incidents.)

# of fires Acres burned
Total to date 36,375 1,760,125

 

Oregon:  Preparedness Level 5 (This is the highest level of wildland fire activity. Several geographic areas are experiencing large, complex wildland fire incidents, which have the potential to exhaust national wildland firefighting resources. At least 80 percent of the country’s IMTs and wildland firefighting personnel are committed to wildland fire incidents. At this level, all fire-qualified federal employees become available for wildfire response.)

Only ODF-protected lands (16 million acres)
  # of fires Acres burned
2023 year-to-date 705 4,563
10-year avg. year-to-date

(2013 – 2022)

 748 74,879

 

All lands in Oregon (Includes ODF-protected lands)
  # of fires Acres burned
2023 year-to-date 1,357 120,093

 

Current large fires in Oregon: Includes all lands
*These numbers may change as we receive more data from the individual fires* 

Name Date Total Acres ODF Acres Containment Location Cause Notes
Flat July 15, 2023 34,242 50 568 2 miles SE of Agness, OR Under Investigation CIMT, NR Team 2
The observed fire behavior is persistent smoldering and creeping among interior fuels. There are low rates of fire spread in the unburned islands within the perimeter. A limited amount of isolated single tree torching in these islands has not threatened containment lines. Visual assessment of the fire lines and isolated heat sources, to identify changes in fire behavior, is the primary focus of the Firefighters.

Smoke from the Smith River Complex is impacting some air and ground fire operations as well as local communities.
Bedrock July 22, 2023 30,486 106 35% 27 miles SE of Eugene, OR Human PNW 2
Pacific Northwest Team 2, under Incident Commander Jason Loomis, took command of the Bedrock Fire Sunday morning.

On the northwest side of the fire, crews are securing previous firing operations and will conduct more firing operations as needed when conditions are favorable. Crews will continue to look for direct and indirect line options. On the northeast side of the fire, lines are being held and cleaned up and interior unburned islands are being monitored. The southwest corner continues to be the most challenging for firefighters, but Crane Valley Hotshots were able to tie off the corner and connect it to the “boot” on the southern edge.
Lookout August 5, 2023 11,174 0 5% 4 miles NE of McKenzie Bridge Lightning NW Team 6
OSFM
Blue Team
Heavy smoke and light winds moderated fire activity allowing firefighters to conduct burnout operations and further strengthen control lines. The fire continues to move towards the north and northeast. To date, no structures have burned due to the Lookout Fire.

SFM task forces continue to prep structures within the Highway 126 corridor, East to Belknap Springs, and in the Scotts Creek area.

Evacuations are still in place. There is an evacuation center for people and small pets at Lowell High School for evacuees from the Bedrock and Lookout Fires. A large animal shelter is set up at the Lane County Fairgrounds in Eugene.
Wiley Creek August 7, 2023 245 33 60% 6 miles SE of Sweet Home Undetermined IMT3
The new IMT is continuing to build on the prior suppression efforts. Fire crews will continue fire suppression repair activities, mop-up, and patrol containment lines. Any flare ups and hot spots will be extinguished.
Juniper Creek August 20, 2023 106 106 0% 16 miles NE of Sisters Under Investigation COFMS IMT 3
Firefighters were able to establish a control line completely around the fire and continued firefighting operations into the night.

Fire operations are being managed by the Central Oregon Fire Management Service (COFMS) Type-3 Incident Management Team under Incident Commander Cason McCain.

Weather Forecast:

No major concerns for new ignitions as the next few days will see increasing humidity plus daily shower and thunderstorm activity from former Hurricane Hilary remnants interacting with Pacific low pressure over the Pacific Northwest. Heavy rainfall may result in localized flooding concern, especially over portions of eastern Oregon where flood watches are in effect. Another upper trough will arrive later this week returning the region to southwest to west flow aloft. Expect isolated to scattered showers with embedded wet thunderstorms later this week for the Cascade east slopes toward the Idaho border, but humidity will remain elevated enough such that new ignitions are not a significant concern. Some thunderstorm outflow gusts may briefly present safety concerns around weakened trees.

For more weather details in your area, refer to your local NWS office statements and Fire Weather Planning Forecasts.

Northwest Fire Potential Summary:

The 7-day period features minimal to near normal significant fire potential as the weather patterns do not support significant fire weather triggers. Thunderstorms may start some fires today and tomorrow, then again later this week from the Cascade crest eastward, but Hilary remnant rainfall and resultant fuel moistures will limit spread. Elsewhere rain was not as prevalent. Conditions will dry more quickly supporting fire spread, but are expected, at worst, to remain at normal late August levels.

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