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Weather keeps firefighters alert today

Total Complex Estimated Acres:  182,951 
Location: Ukiah, Oregon 
Cause: Under Investigation 
Personnel: 996
Containment: 90% 
Estimated Cost: $68 million 
Resources: 22 crews | 26 engines | 2 helicopters | 24 water tenders | 17 dozers

Highlights: Thunderstorms with lightning and potential gusty outflow winds create a heads-up day for firefighters.

Operations: The potential for two rounds of thunderstorms today in both the early morning and afternoon have firefighters watching the weather closely. These thunderstorms can create gusty outflow winds and cause fire-weakened trees to fall. If the thunderstorms are dry, lightning could start new fires in the area. A group of engines and crews are ready to aggressively respond to any new fires.

Yesterday the northern portion of the fire that has continually flared up, smoked and smoldered produced little smoke. The same drainages that have been holding heat including Swale, Ditch and Potamus creek were watched closely, and any heat detected was extinguished by engines and crews. Across the northern fire line, fire managers worked to solidify their suppression repair plans and remove any unneeded equipment and supplies from private lands.

Suppression repair work is now complete near Dale. This work will be inspected before it is approved. An excavator is working down the fireline on the western side pulling in brush. The rest of the southern half of the fire is still getting repaired or waiting for local government agency inspection. Firefighters will check the North Fork Owens fire today for repair work needs.

The public can expect to see more firefighters and equipment parked along roadways. With heavy equipment coming off the fire there may be increased traffic. Please pass with caution and be alert for large trucks on blind corners.   

Weather: Elevated chances of showers and thunderstorms will persist through Friday. Today a 70 percent chance of rain may bring widespread showers with measurable precipitation. A mix of clouds and sun with cooler temperatures. Highs will be in the lower 70s to upper 80s with increased humidity. 

Smoke: Smoke has moderated but is expected to persist from regional fires in the area. Residents can expect to continue to see smoke from interior pockets of unburned fuel. To see a detailed smoke outlook visit: https://linktr.ee/battlemntcomplex2024

Public Land Closures: Both the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service have either rescinded or reduced closure orders for public lands. Visit https://linktr.ee/battlemntcomplex2024 for more information.

Road closures and fire restrictions: https://linktr.ee/battlemntcomplex2024 

Grant, Morrow and Umatilla County Evacuations: https://linktr.ee/battlemntcomplex2024