Bedrock Fire update for Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Lowell, Ore. – Bedrock Fire managers and cooperators sponsored public meetings in Lowell and Oakridge to present status updates and answer questions yesterday. About forty members of the local communities attended each meeting. A third public meeting will be held today at 6 p.m. at McKenzie High School. The meeting at Lowell was recorded and is available on the “Bedrock Fire 2023” Facebook page.

At the meetings, Operations Section Chief John Spencer explained the progress that has been made on establishing lines around the fire. Indirect lines were established using roads, ridgelines, and fire lines from previous fires. Fire managers have now identified locations for fire lines closer to the fire’s edges, along the perimeter south of the 18 road and to the east of the fire. Equipment and personnel are working on these direct lines, planning to hold the fire close to where it is currently burning.

 Fire managers were successful at tactical firing operations on direct lines along the 1821 and 217 roads.  Hand crews and engines are now working on mop up operations along the roads to maintain secure lines.  Mop up consists of checking for hot spots from the perimeter into the black area of burned fuels to ensure that all potential reignition sources are put out. After mop up is completed, a section of the fire can be called “contained”.

 Much of the northern flank of the fire has steeper ground and fewer roads, with limited opportunities for direct line.  In this area, firefighters continue to establish indirect containment lines to provide secure locations where the fire’s spread can be stopped. The 1817 road has been prepared for use as an indirect line.

 Many of the proposed direct lines are in areas burned by the Gales and Jones fires. Fuels are generally light in these areas, but dead trees or “snags” are common in the burns. These are hazardous to fire personnel working anywhere near or downhill of them. Many snags will need to be removed to allow for safe direct line construction.

WEATHER:  Warmer and drier weather is expected today. High temperatures are expected to be in the low to mid-80s, with minimum relative humidity dropping below 30 percent. Warm weather is expected to continue through the week, with increasing cloud cover.

SAFETY: Aviation resources engaged in suppressing the fire are using local water sources. Not all of the water sources are in the fire closure.  The public should be alert for helicopters or planes in the vicinity. 

SMOKE:  Smoke from the Bedrock Fire will continue to spread into central Oregon, causing some areas to experience “unhealthy” conditions. Smoke from the Flat Fire and other fires is also impacting many areas.