Single Publication

LONE ROCK FIRE UPDATE July 24, 2024

Location: Lonerock, Oregon to west of Highway 207 | Size: 134,752 acres | Containment: 40% Cause: Under Investigation | Start Date: July 13, 2024 | Total Personnel: 1,031

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orprd-lone-rock-fire 

Fire Information Line: 541-208-4369

Email: 2024.0404rvlonerock@firenet.gov

Condon, Ore. — The Lone Rock Fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy by the unified command of the Northwest (NW) Team 2 and Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Red Team.

Crews and OSFM structural task forces carried out firing operations and structure protection on the southern portion of the fire. These operations were successful, and firefighters were able to hold the line with minimal spotting. Where fire did extend beyond the planned control lines, firefighters were quick to secure and contain any minimal spot fires.

On the northern portion of the fire, crews continued to patrol the fireline with no change in fire activity in the area with 40 percent containment.

Strategic aerial firefighting plays a critical role in firefighting efforts when supported by firefighters on the ground. Aerial supervision provides birds-eye identification of hot spots and coordinates where to send helicopters equipped for suppression and is needed when there are multiple aviation assets in the air. Use of aircraft for strategic aerial firefighting is constantly evolving based on resource availability, weather, and smoke conditions. Strategic aviation resources were also used for aerial ignition with a plastic sphere dispenser (PSD) on Tuesday. The PSD allowed firefighters ease in connecting large areas of unburned fuels that threated to extend beyond the western edge of the fire along FSR 25. Task forces conducted structure assessment of areas to the west of FSR 25 and crews identified a small spot to the west of Notch Road. Crews worked through the evening to build line around this spot to reduce further growth.

OSFM structural task forces worked with their wildland partners to hold Highway 19 and support firing operations. Crews were also able to access areas of the fire that previously burned to begin damage assessments. During their initial assessments, OSFM resources identified three primary residences that were destroyed by the fire. Assessments will continue as firefighters are able to get into more areas, some additional structure damage may be found. An additional structural task force from Marion County arrived, bringing the total number of OSFM structural task forces to 13.

Yesterday’s Activities: Firefighters worked through the day along the eastern side of the fire perimeter to build control lines from Burton Hill to the south. The steep terrain between Forest Service Road (FSR) 21 and FSR 25 continued to pose challenges for control. Crews used existing dozer line and water tenders to suppress fire activity in this area. Night crews continued these suppression tactics by beginning to construct a hose lay along the fireline. Additionally, indirect dozer line is being used as a contingency. South of FSR 25 crews continued to secure the fireline with direct and indirect line and begin mop-up activities where fire behavior allowed.

Today’s Activities:

Patrols and mop-up activities to maintain the existing fire perimeter will continue today in anticipation of some

incoming weather. There is a Red Flag Warning in effect from 12:00 p.m. through 11:00 p.m. this evening for abundant lightning for local fire weather zones. Thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening hours to the southeast of the fire perimeter may bring strong winds, lightning, and overall instability to the fire area. Shifting winds patterns, particularly in the tight canyons and draws, may test containment lines.

The focus for much of the uncontained fire perimeter will be on holding the existing line, connecting control line, and prepping unburned areas. Sprinkler line will continue to be installed on the fire’s western perimeter between FSR 21 and FSR 25 for holding where terrain allows. Similarly, crews along the south and southwest of the fire perimeter will

focus efforts on mop-up and holding. Crews along Alder Creek and near the western side of FSR 25 will continue to hold heat built during firing operations to control fire activity along highway 19 to the south and FSR 25 along the western fire perimeter. Crews will continue to build containment line and secure the spot near Notch Road using direct dozer line. OSFM task forces will be focused on prepping and mopping up around structures along Winlock Road. Structural task forces will also work to access more homes within the fire perimeter to complete damage assessments.

Evacuations:
• Level-3 Evacuations – GO NOW! Level-3 Evacuate immediately for the following areas:

o Gilliam County: residences South of Lonerock. For more information on evacuations, visit Gilliam County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.

o Wheeler County: highway 19 at Rowe Creek Road, south on Rowe Creek Road to Twickenham Bridge, to highway 19 at Girds Creek, east to the county line, north of the county line to Morrow County line, west on the northern county line, south through the Kinzua area, south back to Rowe Creek Road. For more information on evacuations, visit Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.

o Morrow County: from the west County Line along Buttermilk Canyon to highway 207, Mile Post 10 south of Hardman to the south Morrow County line. East of Highway 207 and south of FSR 21 to the eastern county line. For more information on evacuations, visit Morrow County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.

• Level-2 Emergency Alert – GET SET! Level-2 Be set to evacuate at a moment’s notice for the following areas:

o Gilliam County: residences north of Lonerock. For more information on evacuations, visit Gilliam County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.

o Wheeler County: HIGHWAY19/Rowe Creek to Twickenham then Girds Creek/HIGHWAY 207 S, south on HIGHWAY 207 to Cherry Lane west to the Grant County line. For more information on evacuations, visit Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page

Shelters:

• An evacuation center has been set up at the Wheeler High School (600 E B Street, Fossil, Ore.). A large animal shelter is available at the County Fairgrounds (720 E 3rd Street in Fossil, Ore.).

Closures:

• OR-19 is closed all hours of the day between milepost 78.7 to milepost 95.2. OR-207 is closed between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. to provide for firefighter and traveler safety with active equipment and fire activity to the west of the highway. For updated road closure information, visit https://www.tripcheck.com/.

• Umatilla National Forest Order Number 06-14-02-24-01 affects all National Forest System lands, trails, and roads that lay within the Proclamation Boundaries of the Umatilla National Forest and reside within Wheeler County.
• Umatilla National Forest Order Number 06-14-02-24-02 includes prohibitions within the Heppner Ranger District on the Umatilla National Forest.
• Bureau of Land Management Prineville District Office issued an Emergency Public Land Closure on BLM- managed lands along the main stem John Day River from Kimberly, Ore. To Dale, Ore.; and along the North Fork John Day River from Kimberly, Ore. to Dale, Ore.

Weather: The National Weather Service in Pendleton has issued a Red Flag Warning for abundant lightning, which is in effect from 12:00 p.m today through 11:00 p.m. Passing thunderstorms will bring strong, erratic winds, small hail, and abundant lightning. There is no longer a Fire Weather Watch; however, fire activity could be accelerated with the incoming winds. Winds are anticipated from the south and southeast with maximum ridgetop gusts of 45 to 60 mph this evening.

• Umatilla National Forest Order Number 06-14-02-24-01 affects all National Forest System lands, trails, and roads that lay within the Proclamation Boundaries of the Umatilla National Forest and reside within Wheeler County.
• Umatilla National Forest Order Number 06-14-02-24-02 includes prohibitions within the Heppner Ranger District on the Umatilla National Forest.
• Bureau of Land Management Prineville District Office issued an Emergency Public Land Closure on BLM- managed lands along the main stem John Day River from Kimberly, Ore. To Dale, Ore.; and along the North Fork John Day River from Kimberly, Ore. to Dale, Ore.

Smoke Information: Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ for local air quality information.

Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place above the Lone Rock Fire area. If you fly, we can’t. Unauthorized drone flights (UAS) pose serious risks to firefighter and public safety and the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. Aerial firefighting is suspended when unauthorized UAS are in the area, allowing wildfires to grow larger.

###