Acres: 20,019 acres | Start Date: July 21, 2024 | Cause: Lightning | Fuels: Timber, Grass, Brush | Containment: 83% | Resources: 366
Communities may continue to see smoke as materials within the fire burn
Highlight: Firefighters are extinguishing and removing burning materials on the upper east side of the Courtrock Fire and making steady progress towards the goal of full containment, meanwhile a Type-1 helicopter will assist with water drops in areas that still show heat within the fire’s interior. Smoke may be visible from the roads near Merrill Springs, however, that is not an indicator of risk to containment. On the southern end of the Courtrock Fire, crews are pulling equipment off the line and wrapping up containment efforts.
Weather: A weak system will continue to cross the region today. The high but dense cloud cover will keep temperatures up overnight and marginally improve relative humidity recovery. This system still has the capability of producing lightning. Any rain showers will be slight and may not even reach the ground. Winds will be terrain-driven with light gusts over ridgelines. Early next week a cool, dry system will enter the area. No significant weather events are expected in the near future.
Safety: Please keep driving in and near the affected areas to necessary trips only. The roads are still being used by fire personnel and heavy equipment. Although the fire is largely contained, it will not be out for some time.
Closures: Closure orders are under constant review. Agencies consider many factors with regard to these reviews. Public safety is always the first consideration. Hunting, firewood gathering, and other land uses are also considered. Agencies will open lands to these uses as soon as safety allows.
Evacuations/Shelters/Closures: No Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations are in effect.
- For Morrow County evacuation updates, visit the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
- For Grant County evacuation updates, visit the Grant County Emergency Management Office’s Facebook page, or sign up for the Grant County Emergency Alert System.
- The U.S. Forest Service has closures for the Malheur National Forest.
Fire Information: 541-208-4369 from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. – [email protected]
