Acres: 20,019 acres | Start Date: July 21, 2024 | Cause: Lightning | Fuels: Timber, Grass, Brush | Containment: 89% | Resources: 320
Smoke will continue into the foreseeable future, not a threat.
Highlight: Firefighters continue to secure more containment with direct fire suppression efforts along the upper east side of the fire’s perimeter, just southeast of Merrill Springs, and also along the central east side of the fireline. More firefighters will be arriving at the Courtrock Fire from the Lone Rock Fire to help with the remaining hotspots along the eastern fireline. A Type-1 helicopter will assist with water drops this weekend in areas that still show heat within the fire’s interior. Smoke may be visible from the roads, however, that is not an indicator of risk to containment. Suppression activities on the southern end of the Courtrock Fire have been finished, and crews are currently removing equipment.
Weather: A weather system has brought higher relative humidity levels and cloud cover is shading fuels. Today may bring very weak showers and the possibility of lightning or dry lightning. Tomorrow sees a 20% chance of isolated thunderstorms late in the day, but it is not expected to yield much moisture. No significant weather events are expected in the next few days.
Safety: Remember that fuels in the area such as grass and timber remain very dry and available to burn. Use caution with all open flame, spark hazards and overhead power lines. Check trailer chains carefully to make sure they will not drag. Operate small engines with spark arresters installed on the muffler. Do not park in high grass. For more ideas, visit the Oregon Department of Forestry.
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]
