Single Publication

Firefighters hold more line with help from clear skies and milder weather

UKIAH, Ore. – Firefighters working northwest of Monument along the Battle Mountain Complex Zone I continued to make progress on containment lines spanning from Top Road and Wall Creek Road. Additionally, aircraft resources, including a Type 1 and Type 2 helicopter, were able to assist firefighters on the ground with bucket drops in areas of high fire activity. Aircraft have been grounded for several days due to heavy smoke in the area; using these resources once again has helped ground crews immensely.

Winds, consistently blowing up to 10 miles per hour, increased fire activity along the western perimeter of the fire near Ant Hill and Turner Mountain, but firefighters are continuing to hold ground.

“Lines are holding well,” ODF Team 1 Operations Sections Chief Kyle Gibbons said. “We’re continuing to hold ground, and the fire is being kept away from homes.” 

In Zone II, crews made good progress in the eastern half of the complex. Firefighters are focused on connecting lines across divisions, securing “cold trailed” portions of the perimeter that were suppressed with water but still need to be dug down to mineral soil, and removing unburned vegetation so it doesn’t flare up and spread.  

Along the northeast of the Monkey Creek Fire, firefighters built dozer line directly on the fire’s edge and constructed line through a key canyon, connecting the northern lines. Similarly, firefighters also built line directly along the fire’s edge on the southeast perimeter, even lining a three-acre spot fire from earlier in the day. Crews hope to connect lines in the southeast by tomorrow morning. Below the Middle Fork John Day River, crews tied in some key pieces of line in the Dry Gulch area. 

With today’s progress, officials look to shift some resources to the more-active, south-central portion of the Monkey Creek Fire. 

The 4,484-acre North Fork Owens Fire is now 90% contained (the complex stands at 5% containment).

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

• For Umatilla County, follow www.facebook.com/UmatillaCountySheriff or sign up for Umatilla County Emergency Alert System at https://member.everbridge.net/index/2590041373147145.
• For Grant County, visit the RAPTOR arcgis site or sign up for alerts at: https://member.everbridge.net/index/825462649520134.
• For Morrow County, visit https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/de78333b0d2544f7a320142174aa20ae

Public Land Closures:

The Bureau of Land Management has closed public lands along the John Day River from Kimberly to Dale, and from Kimberly to Service Creek. More information here: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions.

The Umatilla National Forest has implemented a closure for public lands within the Heppner Ranger District and the North Fork John Day Ranger District. More information at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1194462 and https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5286768.

FIRE AT A GLANCE

Total Estimated Complex Size:  151,013 acres
Monkey Creek Fire:  146,529
North Fork Owens:  4,484 acres
Total Containment:  7%
Cause:  Under Investigation     
Estimated Cost:  $13,700,000

All Resources 

Hand Crews:  47            
Engines:  96       
Water Tenders:  41         
Dozers:  20
Helicopters:  8
Total Personnel:  1,628