Monday Fire Update: 9/4/2023, 1130 hours PDT

This is a combined post for the LOOKOUT, BEDROCK, HORSE CREEK, and POTHOLE FIRES, as they are being managed by one IMT.

(L) Photo Courtesy: Lookout, Horse Creek, and Pothole Fires 2023 Facebook Page.

LOOKOUT FIRE

The Lookout Fire started on August 5, 2023, sparked by lightning. About 24,581 acres have been destroyed but is currently at a 20% containment status. There is a total of 701 personnel with 32 engines, 14 crews, seven (7) dozers, 29 water tenders, eight (8) masticators, six (6) helicopters, and one (1) skidder.

A few of the other “valued” members of the team who support the incident overall are being recognized for their roles. There are many “players” in this game from the top including the Incident Management Team(s), Incident Commander (s), Unified Command (when more than one cooperating agency manages one incident), Security, Resources, etc. The list is long and so are the tireless hours they put in, along with their compassion to fulfill the “mission”.

Photo Credit: PIO Fire Page (Facebook Page)

Light rain fell over the fireline yesterday on the eastern side of the fire, causing minimal fire activity, however, on the western flank Hotshots are due to help with securing lines. The rest of the fire personnel will continue to prep contingency lines and put out hot spots.

CTD: $39.1 Million Dollars.

HORSE CREEK FIRE

The Horse Creek Fire has about 192 total personnel with 18 engines, four (4) crews, four (4) dozers, nine (9) water tenders, two (2) masticators, two (2) skidders, and two (2) excavators assigned. The fire started on August 24, 2023, also by lightning. The area has seen about 754 acres but has reached a 12% containment status.

Yesterday, there were patrols of the fire’s edge and continued strengthening and improving completed fire lines. On the eastern side, things appear differently with significant heat from burning, dead, and down heavy fuels remaining. This is in steep rugged terrain.

CTD: $1.3 Million Dollars

POTHOLE FIRE

The Pothole Fire started on August 25, 2023, from lightning, has burned about 109 acres and has a 15% containment status.

Today, the incident is still retaining about 90 fire personnel along with seven (7) engines, one (1) crew, one (1) dozer, four (4) water tenders, one (1) masticator, and three (3) skidders.

Firefighters have been able to mostly tap this fire to where it has little fire activity.

CTD: $615,000.

BEDROCK FIRE

The last of the four wildfires listed here is actually one of the first wildfires to start burning on July 22, 2023, from an unknown and undetermined cause. There are about 419 total personnel along with 81 engines, 12 crews, five (5) dozers, 18 water tenders, seven (7) masticators, six (6) helicopters, and four (4) skidders.

Personnel have been removing, chipping, and processing logs, brush, and other vegetation to help reduce the heavy fire fuel load on the northern side of the fire. The suppression group will continue to work on uncontained lines, provide IA activity, and assist the Willamette National with nearby fires. In this area, the removal of extra equipment is to be hauled back to their fire camp for maintenance and cleaning.

There have been 31,590 acres burned but an 85% containment status has been reached.

CTD: $59.1 Million Dollars.

(c) 2023 NW Fire Blog