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This will be the final evening release unless conditions significantly change 

Containment increases on Courtrock Fire, progress made in cooler, damp conditions 

MONUMENT, Ore. – Firefighters on the Courtrock Fire took advantage of the cool temperatures and scattered showers today, pushing forward on strengthening existing line around the majority of the incident and constructing new line on the southeast portion. Due to this work, containment has increased to 31%, up from 24% this morning. The rain also helped to clear out smoke, which allowed aircraft to fly once again today.

Oregon State Fire Marshal task forces remain engaged in the Fox Valley area, where engines have been positioned to protect homes that have been impacted by the fire or are located near it, particularly along the 3950 road. Task forces will remain in the area overnight, continuing this work. 

On the north, east and west lines, firefighters have been mopping up, which is further securing the line and creating a greater distance between the perimeter and the interior of the fire. Conditions overnight are expected to remain cool with high relative humidity, allowing for this work to continue. 

More showers are in the forecast tonight, with a very slight potential for thunderstorms. Temperatures are expected to slowly heat up the remainder of the week. Firefighters will be taking advantage of the cooler conditions in the next day to continue to make progress on connecting and strengthening line before Thursday, when temperatures will be the high 90s once again, drying out vegetation and naturally increasing fire activity. 

Due to fire activity in the area, the U.S. Forest Service has issued closures for the Malheur. Up to date information on Malheur National Forest closures can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/malheur/news-events

Information for Zone I of the Battle Mountain Complex, including the western portion of the Monkey Creek Fire (formerly Boneyard Fire) can now be found at: www.facebook.com/battlemountaincomplex2024 

Evacuations: Level 1 (Get Ready), Level 2 (Be Set) and Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations are in effect. For updated evacuation information:

• Grant County Emergency Management Office’s Facebook page, or sign up for the Grant County Emergency Alert System at https://member.everbridge.net/825462649520134/login. Morrow County Evacuation information can be found at https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/de78333b0d2544f7a320142174aa20ae

Shelters: An evacuation center has been set up at Grant Union High School (911 S Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845).

Clean air and cooling centers are located in the following locations in Grant County:

• Grant County Library- cooling & clean air, Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• John Day Senior Center- cooling & clean air, Monday & Thursday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday 12 – 4 p.m.
• Prairie City Public Works - clean air center, Monday -  Friday 12 – 7 p.m. 
• Dayville Community Hall- cooling & clean air, 24/7