A Middle Fork Complex Fire firefighter working in the Willamette National Forest on August 12. (Marcus Ren/Emerald)

*Updated August 16, 3:30 p.m.

Energy use across Lane County
Eugene Water and Electric Board, the city of Eugene’s largest utility company, issued an email on Tuesday regarding energy use throughout the city.
“With excessive temperatures and wildfire conditions affecting power generation across the region,” the email states, “EWEB is encouraging customers to voluntarily conserve energy through Wednesday, especially between 4-9 p.m”.
The call to conserve energy comes at a time when Carmen-Smith, EWEB’S hydroelectric facility, has been shut down due to the Lookout fire.
“But with Carmen-Smith shut down, EWEB is forced to turn to the market, where supply and demand conditions are driving prices up,” EWEB said.
EWEB encourages customers to set air conditioning systems to 74 degrees or higher, turning off unnecessary electronics or lights and using “small countertop appliances”, instead of stoves or ovens.
Fires across Lane County
The Bedrock wildfire is currently active roughly 40 miles east of Eugene, in the Willamette National Forest’s Bedrock campground. The fire has scorched 25,780 acres and is 20% contained.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office issued a Level 3 “GO NOW” evacuation early Monday morning for the Bedrock Fire, in the areas of:

• Peninsula Road, east of Timber Creek

• Big Fall Creek Road, east of the intersection with Peninsula

Those who plan to evacuate can find shelter at Lowell High School.
In the next 72 hours, the projected activity of the Bedrock Fire is a continuation of “extreme” fire behavior due to warmer and drier conditions. After 72 hours, the fire may let up slightly due to cooling temperatures.
The Bedrock Fire started on July 22, but the cause of the fire is undetermined. An estimated containment date is set to be October 1, 2023.
The Bedrock Fire is the largest fire throughout Lane County at the moment, though two smaller fires rage: the Wiley Fire and Lookout Fire, one of which is spreading at a rapid pace, are currently active and not fully contained. The “Lookout” fire has currently burned 3,710 acres. On Tuesday morning, the fire had burned 2,073 acres.
The sheriff’s office also issued a Level 3 “GO NOW” evacuation for the Lookout Fire, for the areas of:

• Taylor Road

• North Bank Road

• All areas north of Highway 126 between Blue River Reservoir Road and Drury Lane

• Mona Campground

• Lookout Campground

• HJ Andrews Experimental Forest headquarters

Governor Tina Kotek declared the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Lookout Fire, which allows for mobilizing firefighters, fire-fighting equipment and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Blue Incident Management team to assist in ceasing the fire and protecting lands.

Extreme weather and air quality conditions in Eugene

An excessive heat warning has been issued for parts of Oregon, including Eugene, due to expected afternoon temperatures of 96 to 105 degrees for the next two to three days.
The warning is in place until 11 p.m. Wednesday, when temperatures are expected to cool slightly on Thursday and beyond.
The current air quality for Eugene and Springfield is “very unhealthy”, according to Lane Regional Air Protection Agency. As of 12 p.m. on Tuesday, the air quality index was 309, which is classified as “hazardous” – the highest level of concern for AQI levels.
Lane County’s website has a list of resources for beating the heat and staying cool during the current heat wave. County officials recommend finding air conditioning, avoid being in direct sun, drinking plenty of water and closing blinds in residences.