Oregon Wildfires: Bedrock Fire growing nearly 1,000 acres daily, Flat Fire 28% contained

The latest updates on the wildfires burning across Oregon:

Bedrock Fire burning nearly 1,000 acres daily

The Bedrock Fire in the Willamette National Forest has spread 12,213 acres to the east and north up Fall Creek and continued uphill, following a pattern of burning through nearly 1,000 acres a day, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Good conditions led to crews dropping fire retardant along the ridge west of Jones Creek drainage Wednesday. While work continues across the whole perimeter, the focus of efforts lies on the northern and western flanks of the fire.

It was estimated at 5% containment Thursday with the cost of firefighting efforts so far exceeding $8 million.

The basecamp relocated Monday night to the Pleasant Hill area just south of Jasper, to accommodate additional firefighters and equipment coming to assist. More than 700 personnel are assigned to the fire, including the Oregon Department of Forestry and private firefighters.

The blaze began at Bedrock Campground on July 22. An emergency closure was expanded this week to include all recreation sites - trails, campgrounds, and trailheads - upstream of Fall Creek Reservoir.

The forest remains at “very high” fire danger warning. Fire experts have said conditions are abnormally dry due to drought, and drier fuels ignite easily and burn more rapidly and intensely than when conditions are not as dry.

An air quality advisory for parts of Lane, Deschutes and Klamath counties is in effect until further notice. The heaviest fire activity is expected Thursday afternoon and evening.

Here are the Thursday air quality forecast for nearby communities:

• Eugene and Springfield areas can expect good conditions throughout most of the day, with the exception of some light smoke Thursday morning.

• McKenzie could see some moderate conditions throughout the day, but will have good conditions by the evening.

• Sisters is expected to see moderate conditions in the morning and afternoon.

• Smoke will last in the afternoon and evening in Redmond, but then clear.

• Bend was expected to see moderate conditions in the morning before clearing to good for the rest of the day.

• La Pine will see smoke throughout the day, but the afternoon should have the best conditions.

• Oakridge should see smoke in the morning through midday then improvement later in the afternoon.

Fire officials have asked the public for any information about how the fire ignited at the campground in an area that previously sat as a mix of burned and untouched forest.

"The Forest Service asks that the public recall any information, photography, or videos they may have from their visit to the area where the fire began on July 22. Any information can assist investigators in determining the cause of the fire," a news release said. "Please submit any information that could assist fire investigation efforts to SM.FS.R6TipHotLine@usda.gov."

Flat Fire firing operations lead to 28% containment

Crews continued to light controlled fires around the perimeter of the Flat Fire, as containment stayed at 28% for a second day and the acres burned reached 31,000. The number of fire personnel dropped to 1,104, from a peak of over 1,500, as some fire crews are sent to different fires.

Burning 2 miles southeast of the town of Agnes, the Flat Fire first ignited at Oak Flat Campground on July 15 and has been determined to be human-caused.

The acreage growth over the past several days is planned and controlled by crews, according to the fire team. Firefighters have shifted efforts to firing operations and pushing the main fire toward prepared firelines.

"Helicopters continued with aerial ignition to achieve additional depth from the containment line further into the unburned interior in the southwest corner of the fire," a Thursday morning report said. "With fuels drying out, where fire has been backing down slopes in the recent days and natural fuels lower on the slope align, some uphill runs are now occurring. This results in better overall unburned vegetation consumption, so fuels are less likely to re-burn."

All evacuation levels around the fire — including Agness to Quosatana Creek — were reduced to a level 1 “get ready” warning Thursday. Any updates on evacuation levels will be sent through the Curry County Sheriff’s Office by Everbridge, which provides notices through phone.

"Today’s forecast calls for slightly cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity," crews wrote. "The up and down weather cycle we have been experiencing has moderated fire behavior but overall fuels are continuing to dry. A warmer and drier air mass is predicted to return by the weekend."

Corbie Fire grows 1,141 acres after starting as vehicle fire

The Corbie Fire, which originated as a vehicle fire in Eastern Oregon near Burns, moved onto public land Tuesday. The 1,141-acre fire started to settle late Tuesday night, according to an update from Burns Interagency Fire Zone.

The fire perimeter was held along Highway 78. Firefighting resources will stay alongside the road for the next several days managing hot spots. That fire team included Crane, Fields/Andrews, Blue Mountain Rangeland Fire Protection Associations and a Type 2 Helitack crew.

Abigail Landwehr is an outdoors journalism intern. She can be reached at alandwehr@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Bedrock Fire growing nearly 1,000 acres daily, Flat Fire 28% contained