Single Publication

As Fire Activity Decreases, Community Updates Will Remain Available Online

Acres: 20,019 acres | Start Date: July 21st, 2024 | Cause: Lightning | Fuels: Timber, grass, brush

Containment: 97% |Resources: 262

MONUMENT, Ore. – Firefighters are patrolling the upper east side of the fire’s perimeter, while continuing to clean up pockets of unburned vegetation and hitting areas that are holding heat. Containment objectives are near completion, with exception to a small section on the east side that is in steep terrain, is difficult to reach, and presents a hazard to firefighters. The plan is to continue hitting that area with direct fire suppression until full containment is reached and then allow fuels well inside the interior of the fire to naturally burn. Be advised, driving in or visiting areas affected by the fire is a violation against the Forest Service closure orders. Please wait to visit until the area has been stabilized.

Smoke will continue to be visible in neighboring communities, especially during the evenings. The unburned fuels need to be consumed; it is likely the remaining interior pockets that are holding heat and producing smoke will continue to do so until a significant weather change (one bringing cooler temperatures, wetting rains, or significant snowfall) occurs in the area. The public should not call 9-1-1 for smoke coming from the interior of the Courtrock Fire. Fire updates are available here on the Courtrock Fire Inciweb page, or Courtrock Fire Facebook.

Weather– Widespread haze after 2 PM. Sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. A slight chance of showers between 11 PM and 2 AM Widespread haze before 8 PM. Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent. 
 

Closures- The area surrounding the Courtrock Fire are under closure orders, which are under constant review. Agencies consider many factors regarding these reviews such as public safety, hunting, firewood gathering, and other land uses. Agencies will open lands to these uses as soon as safety allows. 

• For Malheur National Forest closures information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/malheur/news-events 

Evacuations– No level 3 (go now) evacuations are in effect. 

• For Grant County evacuation information, visit Grant County Emergency Management Office’s Facebook page, or sign up for the Grant County Emergency Alert System 
• For Morrow County evacuation information, visit the link below.