Good Progress on the Boneyard Fire Near Monument, Courtrock Fire Nearly Lined Overnight Ahead of Predicted Wednesday Thunderstorms
MONUMENT, Ore. – Firefighters were able to make good progress overnight, completing bulldozer and handline on the southern portion of the Boneyard Fire closest to the town of Monument, as well as bulldozer line around the majority of the Courtrock Fire. This work is extremely important ahead of Wednesday’s day shift, with conditions once again expected to work against firefighters.
Overnight, the National Weather Service issued Red Flag Warning for the southeast portion of the Boneyard Fire and all of Courtrock due to expected thunderstorms with strong winds and abundant lightning. This goes into effect at noon on Wednesday, and ends at 11 p.m. Winds may be erratic and are expected to influence fire behavior; firefighters are aware and prepared for the potential increase in fire activity and will respond to any new lightning-caused fire starts nearby.
Today, resources on the Courtrock Fire will be working to complete the last few portions of line, which will stop the fire’s growth. On the Boneyard Fire, work continues north and west of Monument, with line-strengthening. Fire hose will be constructed in these areas today to allow for better access to water. On the northwestern portion, much of the same work is continuing.
To the northeast side, resources are engaged. On the southeast side, firefighters continue to build on line that has been established; a lot of work in these areas is providing protection to homes in the area. To the east, the Boneyard Fire continues to be on the path of merging with the Monkey Creek Fire; Team 1 is coordinating with ODF Team 3, assigned to that incident, as these fires close in on each other.
For Wednesday’s day shift, 490 personnel are assigned to the Boneyard and Courtrock Fires, including 14 20-person crews, 13 bulldozers, seven tree fallers, eight water tenders and 24 engines, including three structural task forces from the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM). Another task force from OSFM will be arriving later today, along with additional resources ordered by Team 1 that will be strategically placed on the fire
line. For aircraft, one Type one, one Type 3 and two Type 2 helicopters are assigned to the fire, and they will be used as soon as visibility increases.
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.
Closures continued: The Umatilla National Forest has implemented a closure for public lands within the Heppner Ranger District. More information here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1194462.
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, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068819321423, 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/de78333b0d2544f7a3 20142174aa20ae
Shelters: An evacuation center has been set up at Grant Union High
School (911 S Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845).
