Fires continue to burn on the Willamette National Forest
Published 11:50 am Saturday, September 2, 2023
- Smoke from the Pete's Lake Fire can be seen in this aerial view posted to InciWeb on Wednesday.
A number of fires continued to burn on the Willamette National Forest over Labor Day weekend. However, as of Saturday, Central Oregon was smoke free despite the fires, with good air quality indexes between 0 and 50.
Petes Lake Fire
The Petes Lake fire burning 30 miles southwest of Bend five miles west of Elk Lake is still 318 acres in size.
The fire was caused by lightning on Aug. 25, and 219 firefighting personnel are working on the fire. Fire crews have discontinued their direct attack on the fire, instead focusing on keeping it within the Three Sisters Wilderness Area and to the west of the Cascade Lakes Highway.
Closures on the Willamette and Deschutes national forests remain in place.
Wildfire evacuation in Central Oregon: What to know
Lookout Fire
The 25,575-acre Lookout Fire, caused by lightning on Aug. 24, is burning just north of state Highway 126 near Tokatee Golf Club, and is at 20% containment.
Bedrock Fire The 31,590-acre Bedrock Fire 10 miles northeast of Lowell on the Middle Fork Ranger District is currently at 85% containment.
Horse Creek Fire
The 763-acre Horse Creek Fire burning to the south of the Lookout Fire, 5 miles southeast of McKenzie Bridge. It was caused by lightning on Aug. 24, and is 12% contained.
Salmon Fire
The 135-acre Salmon Fire, which was first reported on Aug. 6, is burning 3 miles northeast of Oakridge in a heavily forested area. The fire is 95% contained with minimal behavior.