Courtrock Fire fully lined, mop up continues to further containment
MONUMENT, Ore. – Firefighting efforts through last night’s shift attained a fully lined perimeter around the fire. Mop up efforts from ODF Team 1 and OSFM task forces will continue today to secure homes and increase overall containment.
Mop up is the process of cooling the perimeter of the fire and ensuring that all hot spots, smoldering embers and other potential sources of re-ignition are extinguished within a certain distance from the interior of the line.
Last night’s light rain and today’s cool temperatures will provide opportunities for abundant suppression activities. “The change in temperature is welcome for firefighters who have worked hard for over a week before the rain arrived,” said Jason Pettigrew, Operations Section Chief with ODF Team 1.
Today’s efforts will include securing hazard areas, removing ladder fuels, and continuing mop up on the approximately 40 miles of perimeter around the Courtrock Fire.
Oregon State Fire Marshal task forces will work with wildland resources to secure areas around homes that have been impacted by the fire or are located near it, particularly along the 3950 road.
Temperatures are expected to slowly heat up the remainder of the week. Firefighters will take advantage of the cooler conditions today to increase containment and prepare the landscape for a stable return to local land managers, homeowners, and the community.
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
