Wildfire Incident Report

Prepared: Friday, January 10, 2025 10:52:12 PM PST

Wildfire Incident Report


Fire, Weather & Avalanche Center
La Grande, OR, USA
www.fireweatheravalanche.org
Incident #
2023-ORWIF-230266
FWAC Incident ID
38034535
Incident Name
Bedrock Fire
Last Updated
Friday, January 10, 2025 10:48 PM PST
(3 mins, 36 secs ago)
Fire Reported
Saturday, July 22, 2023 9:01 AM PDT
(1 year, 5 months ago)
State
Oregon
Incident Type
Wildfire
Location
11.6 miles ENE of Lowell, OR
Responsible Agency
US Forest Service
Responsible Fire Unit
Willamette National Forest
Fuels
Gr, Br, Tmbr
Notes
Contain: 07/22/2024 07:00 | Control: 07/22/2024 07:00 | Out: 12/11/2024 10:07
Current Weather

Fire Growth Potential
Fire Weather Forecast
Incident Overview

The Bedrock Fire started near Bedrock Campground on the Middle Fork Ranger District on July 22, 2023. It is burning actively on rugged forested land. Resources from the US Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, and private industry are working to fully suppress this fire. Unusually dry fuels, steep slopes, and gusty winds have contributed to rapid fire growth.

Northwest Incident Management Team 13 assumed management of the fire the morning of July 25. Additional firefighting resources are arriving to assist with the fire.

On July 26, the Willamette National Forest issued a Forest Closure Order for the area around the Bedrock Fire. On July 29, the area covered by the Forest Closure was expanded to the south and east. All lands, roads, trails, and other recreation sites within the designated area are closed to the public.

Last Updated
Fri, Aug 4, 2023 12:15 PM UTC
Incident Type
Wildfire
Cause
Under investigation
Fire Discovered
Sat, Jul 22, 2023 5:01 PM UTC
Location
National Forest Service Road 18. Fall Creek Lake. Lowell, Oregon. Vida, Oregon
Incident Commander
Brian Gales, Eric Riener
Northwest Incident Management Team 13
Coordinates
43.971388888889, -122.54611111111
Total Personnel
702
Size
12,213 Acres
Containment
5%
Estimated Containment Date
Sun, Oct 1, 2023
Fuels Involved

Timber (Litter and Understory)

Closed Timber Litter 

Brush (2 feet)

The mixed ownership of private and federal lands, coupled with old fire scars, provides a checkerboard mosaic of fuel types. Mixed aged classes of timber from slash and young managed stands to late seral stage timber are spread across the landscape. Light and very dry lichen moss is draped in the tree canopies and accentuates spotting in mature stands.

Significant Events

All fuel size classes carry active fire behavior. Steep topography allows for uphill runs, often establishing in the crowns that produces prolific and productive spotting, up to ¾ miles. Afternoon diurnal wind activity drives fire spread up drainages such as Alder Creek, Hehe Creek, and Fall Creek to the northeast; and in the south in Andy and Rubble Creek. As fire moves into old burn scars, intensity decreases but abundant fine fuels can maintain fire spread.

Planned Actions
Indirect control lines placement on the west and north flanks are under construction and supported. Re-opening historic fire lines, helispots, and staging areas is proving useful. Division Y has established a strong anchor with Division A. Working with aviation support in the southeast is critical to this operational success.

Control line preparation continues on the 1817 and 1821 roads along with fire line construction in Division J along the forest and private lands utilizing a mix of ODF and Federal resources. Heavy aviation utilization will occur in line construction areas supporting their holding. Retardant and scooper use will prove effective as air quality provides opportunity.
Projected Incident Activity

48 hours: Thunderstorms expected to arrive Friday with the potential for gusty outflow winds and lightning.

12 hours: Fire activity expected to increase throughout the day as warm temps and low RH, along with northerly winds a concern. Single tree torching with spot fire development is likely.

Remarks
The infrared flight on 8/2/2023 indicated the acreage of the Bedrock Fire was 12,213 acres. There was no infrared flight on 8/3/23. Updated acreage will be provided when it is available. Growth to the north, east, south and west continued yesterday. Containment is 5%. A joint delegation has been signed between the Willamette National Forest and Oregon Department of Forestry.
Incident Map

© 2025 Fire, Weather & Avalanche Center