Single Publication

Containment Increases, Crews Assist with Several New Lightning Starts

Location: Lonerock to west of Highway 207 | Size: 137,222 acres | Containment: 92% 

Cause: Under Investigation 

Start Date: July 13, 2024 | Total Personnel: 284

Fire Information Line: 541-208-4369, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.   

Email: 2024.0404rvlonerock@firenet.gov

Condon, Ore. — Though containment on the Lone Rock Fire did increase to 92 percent yesterday, a severe thunderstorm that passed through the area brought several new fire starts to the surrounding area. Resources from the Lone Rock Fire are assisting local agencies with initial attack operations to combat these new starts.
 

Overview: Yesterday, crews focused on cleaning up and reinforcing existing fireline in the previously problematic areas on the east and west sides of the fire. Almost the entire east side of the fire is now contained, with the exception of a portion of fireline to the west of Henry Creek where crews are still working to clean up and reinforce existing line. Excavator work was wrapped up on the west side of the fire, and firefighters continued to mop-up isolated pockets of heat.
 

Last night, crews responded to the Bennett Fire, a 500-acre new start to the northwest of Antelope, OR in Wasco County. Crews from the Spray spike camp also assisted with the Wildhorse Fire, a 60-acre fire south of Spray, near Steamboat Mountain.
 

Tactics and operational objectives will remain the same for today regarding the continued work on the Lone Rock Fire. Additionally, crews will be available to assist with new fire starts that may be located today as the fuels dry out and begin to smoke. 
 

Weather: Temperatures will be similar to Sunday, mid-80s to around 100 degrees across the fire area. Calm winds out of the north/northeast are expected, with ridgeline gusts from 15-20 mph. No significant weather concerns are forecasted, though there is a slight chance for thunderstorms to the east of the fire area this afternoon.
 

Evacuations: There are no Level 3 evacuations in place for the Lone Rock Fire.  Additional information is also available from:  

• For Gilliam County evacuation information, visit Gilliam County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.
• For Wheeler County evacuation information, visit Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
• For Morrow County evacuation information, visit Morrow County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.

For up-to-date information, checkout the Real-Time Assessment and Planning Tool for Oregon (RAPTOR) public information map, see link below. 

Closures: 

• For updated road closure information, visit https://www.tripcheck.com/.
• Umatilla National Forest Order Number 06-14-02-24-02 includes prohibitions within the Heppner Ranger District on the Umatilla National Forest.
• Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Prineville District Office issued an Emergency Public Land Closure on BLM-managed lands along the main stem pf the John Day River and along the North Fork John Day River from Kimberly, Ore. to Dale, Ore.

Smoke Information: Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ for local air quality information.
 

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