7/23/23 evening update: The Bedrock Fire continues to be active in the Fall Creek area on the Middle Fork District. An updated acreage will be available tomorrow. The fire burned actively today and firefighters from the Oregon Department of Forestry and US Forest Service continued to engage in full suppression efforts and point protection on buildings on private land.
Resources continued to arrive throughout the day and more will be on the scene tomorrow. While there are no evacuation notices in effect at this time, the public is asked to avoid Big Fall Creek Rd. to allow emergency personnel necessary access for suppression.
Several campgrounds along Big Fall Creek Rd. are closed due to fire activity. This includes all campgrounds along Fall Creek Road, and surrounding roads. Smoke may be visible from Highway 58, the towns of Lowell, Jasper, and the McKenzie River corridor.
Ugh. And it’s only going to get worse, every goddamn year.
Really hoping this one doesn’t get majorly out of hand, but I’m not hopeful. My friend in the ODF sent it to our friend group and said to get prepared for intermittent smoke to leak into the valley because of it. We don’t have the inversion/weird winds from when Holiday Farm burned near the same area, but smoke gets into the valley and just sits on us, which sucks and might happen here since it’s so close.
7/24/23 update: Firefighters from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service and Oregon Department of Forestry continue full suppression efforts on the Bedrock Fire on the Middle Fork Ranger District. Extreme fire behavior and windy conditions contributed to growth yesterday, mostly to the west and south. Accurate infrared mapping estimates the fire at 3,190 acres and is burning on rugged terrain in timber. A Type 2 team in-briefed yesterday evening and will assume management of the fire tomorrow morning. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Forest Service is working closely with the Oregon Department of Forestry and private industry to fully suppress the fire. The fire is expected to be active again today with the continued hot and dry conditions forecast in the area. Resources working on the fire include 4 hand crews, 4 helicopters, 7 engines, 5 dozers, and various heavy equipment. Additional resources are in route.
While there are no evacuation notices in effect at this time, several campgrounds along Big Fall Creek Rd. are closed due to fire activity. If an evacuation notice becomes necessary, information will be released by the Lane County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone in the immediate vicinity is asked to remain vigilant, as the Bedrock Fire continues to be an evolving incident.
Please take a few moments to brush up on evacuation level information and be prepared in the event of an emergency. Visit https://tinyurl.com/386j3axt to learn more about evacuation levels and to sign up to receive emergency alerts.
Smoke levels are currently very unhealthy and hazardous in central Oregon. Please stay informed of smoke forecasts and plan outdoor recreation accordingly. For more information on air quality, visit airnow.gov.
A reminder to please keep drones out of the surrounding area. Drones pose a direct safety threat to firefighters on the ground and inhabit aircraft use.
Fire danger level on the Willamette National Forest is “very high”. Please follow all fire and restrictions currently in effect https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/willamette/fire. These apply to all lands within the Forest except the Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, Waldo Lake, and Diamond Peak Wilderness areas.
Bedrock Fire update for Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Lowell, Ore. – Northwest Incident Management Team 13 assumed management responsibilities for the Bedrock Fire at 6:00 a.m. Additional firefighting resources are arriving to assist with fire suppression and support activities.
The Bedrock Fire continues to burn actively in the Fall Creek drainage. Hot, dry weather combined with gusty winds have contributed to periods of rapid fire growth. Aerial mapping using infrared-sensing equipment showed the fire to be 4,488 acres as of early Tuesday morning. Fire spread has been mainly to the east and north.
There are no evacuation notices in effect at this time. If an evacuation notice becomes necessary, information will be released by the Lane County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone in the immediate vicinity is asked to remain vigilant, as the Bedrock Fire continues to be an evolving incident.
For the safety of firefighting personnel, please avoid areas near the fire and stay out of all closed areas. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been issued for the Bedrock Fire area. Unmanned aerial systems (AES or drones) are not permitted within the TFR.
WEATHER: On Tuesday, temperatures will be in the 80s, with forecasted minimum relative humidity around 30 percent. Wednesday’s temperatures are expected to be similar, with slightly lower relative humidity.
SAFETY: Members of the public are encouraged to know the Ready, Set, Go levels and make appropriate preparations. READY your belongings; SET your things at the door or prepack them in your car; GO and leave immediately.
SMOKE: Smoke from the Bedrock Fire is spreading into central Oregon, causing some areas to experience “unhealthy” and possibly “hazardous” conditions. Individuals with respiratory issues may find themselves affected by the smoke. Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather.
