Firefighters turn the corner on Courtrock Fire, nearly
finished with fireline around the fire
MONUMENT, Ore. – Building off yesterday’s hard work, overnight
firefighters worked to strengthen the fireline around the Courtrock Fire.
The fire is now nearly lined with a mix of handline, roads, and bulldozer
line. Today, firefighters will work to finish approximately one mile of
line in light fuels and continue to strengthen existing line, bringing the
fire’s edge to the line in any areas where it is indirect.
On the northern edge of the fire, northwest of Hamilton Mountain, mop
up will continue as firefighters work to find any areas of heat and
increase the area of cold black adjacent to the fireline. Along the
southwestern edge of the fire, firefighters will continue to improve the
fireline in difficult terrain and work to hold the fire at USFS 3950 Road.
The southeast area of the fire will see some interior burning of fuels
and tightening of the line as the fire consumes unburned fuels. This
area had significant spotting from the main fire on Saturday.
Three structural task forces from the Oregon State Fire Marshal are
coordinating with wildland firefighters, securing line along the
southeast, particularly along the 3950 road. Structure protection is the
priority for these resources, both homes that have been impacted by
fire and immediately threatened.
Jason Pettigrew, Operations Section Chief, emphasized the hard work
from the landowners in the area, “The miles of fireline they have built,
and the miles of line they have secured, we couldn’t do it without their
support.”
Weather today will test these lines, while also helping firefighters
identify areas of heat. This afternoon, a cold front moving through will
bring stronger winds from the west, transitioning to northwest,
increasing fire behavior. A slight potential for rain or thunderstorms
this afternoon is expected, with a greater chance of wetting rain later
in the evening. This moisture will help moderate fire behavior and
provide an opportunity for firefighters to continue pushing into the fire
interior to secure the perimeter
Due to fire activity in the area, the U.S. Forest Service has issued closures for the Malheur. Up to date
information on Malheur National Forest closures can be found here:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/malheur/news-events
Information for Zone I of the Battle Mountain Complex, including the western portion of the Monkey
Creek Fire (formerly Boneyard Fire) can now be found at:
www.facebook.com/battlemountaincomplex2024
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, 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).
Clean air and cooling centers are located in the following locations in Grant County:
- Grant County Library- cooling & clean air, Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- John Day Senior Center- cooling & clean air, Monday & Thursday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday 12 – 4
p.m. - Prairie City Public Works – clean air center, Monday – Friday 12 – 7 p.m.
- Dayville Community Hall- cooling & clean air, 24/7
