Weather gives slight reprieve, much work to be done

UKIAH, Ore. – Zone 2, the eastern half of the Battle Mountain Complex, now comprised of the 140,879 -acre Monkey Creek Fire and the 4,484 North Fork Owens Fire, continues to test fire lines. 

Cooler conditions and blue skies were a sight for sore firefighter eyes today as crews and aircraft began to see the slimmest light at the end of the tunnel. While the fire remains active on the south end of the Monkey Creek Fire, ground resources working in conjunction with helicopters kept things in check.   

On the eastern edge, the fire is holding after burn operations cleared out brush and other flashy fuels along Highway 395. Crews made progress tying in where the fire slopped over on the southeast portion where fire was active but less active than the past few days. Crews are preparing to remove vegetation through burning operations along Camas Creek where fire is still creeping through unburned areas.

“This fire is very terrain driven. We have many miles of dozer line to put in on the flats where the fire is coming out of the drainages,” said Field Operations Section Chief Eric Perkins. “We’re trying to shore up our lines to stop it from spreading north and south.”

Structural taskforces continue to do great work battling direct suppression around homes and outbuildings. 

The 4,484-acre North Fork Owens Fire is now 70% contained (the complex stands at 5% containment).

The Battle Mountain Complex consists of the North Fork Owens and Monkey Creek Fires – two of 17 fires in northeast Oregon that started in the late afternoon and evening of July 17, 2024. The Snake Fire merged with the Monkey Creek Fire on July 22, 2024, and the Boneyard Fire merged with Monkey Creek Fire on July 25, 2024. 

Evacuations: Level 1 (Be Ready), Level 2 (Be Set) and Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations are in effect. For updated information, visit:

• For Umatilla County, follow facebook.com/UmatillaCountySheriff or sign up for Umatilla County Emergency Alert System at https://member.everbridge.net/index/2590041373147145.
• For Grant County, visit the RAPTOR arcgis site or sign up for alerts at: https://member.everbridge.net/index/825462649520134.
• For Morrow County, visit https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/de78333b0d2544f7a320142174aa20ae

FIRE AT A GLANCE

Total Estimated Size: 140,879 acres
North Fork Owens: 4,484 acres
Containment:     5%
Cause:                Under Investigation  
Estimated Cost:            $7,500,000

All Resources 

Hand Crews: 45          
Engines:            75          
Water Tenders:             34          
Dozers:              30
Helicopters:   8
Total Personnel:           1,466

Big Horn Fire

9:00 PM, July 25, 2024

Estimated size: 49,063 acres

Containment: 21%

Start Date/Time: 7/22/2024 at 1:07 PM

Area of Origin: 7 miles SE of Bickleton, WA

Cause: Undetermined                                            

Structures Damaged: 4

Update: Today crews worked with Klickitat County Fire District 10 and other cooperators as they made progress on the east side of the fire following last night spread towards the Alderdale area.  Crews on other portions of the fire made progress on securing fire lines along the northwest corner and the west flank on Middle Road. 

The fire has reached Highway 14 which will remain closed overnight as the fire continues to burn along the highway.  The road has been closed for the safety of the public due to fire activity and low visibility caused by smoke. In cooperation with the BSNF Railroad, the fire train traveled through the area to patrol hot spots along the rail line. 

Night shift operations continue this evening and into the morning, as crews continue to work today’s efforts throughout the night. 

Evacuation Levels: Evacuation levels remain in effect. Please visit Klickitat County Emergency Management’s website or check Facebook:

• https://www.klickitatcounty.org/249/Emergency-Management
• https://www.facebook.com/KlickitatDEM911

Road Closures: East Road is closed from the Town of Bickleton south to Middle Road. Hwy 14 from the Town of Roosevelt to Alderdale Road. Alderdale Road from Linda Lane south to the intersection with SR 14. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: A cold front brought gusty conditions last night and into today. Warm and dry conditions continue with wind gusts around 20 mph.

Smoke: While there are no current air quality alerts for Klickitat County, communities close to active wildfires could see air quality worsen as the fire and wind conditions change. Critical fire weather continues across Central and Eastern Washington; please continue to recreate responsibly as any fire starts could spread quickly. For more information on smoke and air quality, please visit: Washington Smoke Information (wasmoke.blogspot.com)

Shelter: An American Red Cross Shelter has been opened in neighboring Benton County and is currently assisting individuals and families that are displaced by the fire.

Patterson Elementary School

51409 Prior Ave

Patterson, WA 99345

Resources: Multiple overhead, strikes teams, aircraft and dozers are currently responding to the fire. 

###

Quick Facts

• Acres: Mill, 2,962; Smith, 45    
• Containment: Mill 10%; Smith 60%
• Detection Date: July 22, 2024    
• Cause: Lightning
• Crews: 13
• Engines: 97
• Dozers: 7 
• Helicopters: 9 + mapping-capable UAS
• Fixed wing: available as needed
• Total resources: 765    

Official Fire Information

Headlines
•    As of tonight, some evacuations have been downgraded. For specific evacuation information, please visit: facebook.com/plumascountysheriff or facebook.com/sierracosheriff
•    Join us for another Ask-the-Incident Commander meeting TOMORROW (technology permitting), July 26, at 2 p.m. on facebook.com/USFSPlumas 
 

Operational update

Smith Fire: Line around the Smith Fire held through the day.  Only two areas of heat remain within the fire interior, and crews and aircraft are working to mop those up today.
Mill Fire:  The Mill Fire containment lines have also continued to hold, despite high winds which persisted through the afternoon. During a reconnaissance flight today, fire staff noted several large burning snags which were near containment lines. Crews and aircraft are continuing to work through those areas into the evening to ensure that the fire does not spot outside its current perimeter. There are still unburned areas of vegetation well interior to containment lines, and residents and visitors in the area can expect to see smoke as those ignite and burn. 
 

Weather
Cooler weather is expected to persist into the weekend. 
 

Borel Fire - Update 3 - Evacuation Warning

This is a message from the Kern County Fire Department

Haga clic aqui para Espanol: ahas1.com?es5486. For ASL interpretation follow the link: ahas1.com?5486.

This is an update to the Borel Fire in the Breckenridge area. The fire may become a threat to the community of Havilah.

An Evacuation Warning has been issued for four zones. Follow the link to view a map of the area under the Evacuation Warning: go.genasys.com/pzhlf3.

 KRN-403-B,

KRN-736

KRN-737

KRN-738 

Be prepared to LEAVE. The situation can change very quickly, and visibility in the area may be reduced and roads can become blocked.

Evacuation Boundaries:

North of: Stagecoach Dr.

South of: State Route 178

East of: Breckenridge Rd., State Route 178

West of: Ball Mountain Down to Red Mountain

For the most updated information, please continue to monitor local media or visit Facebook.com/ReadyKern

If you have an emergency, call 9-1-1

Kern County Evacuation Warnings (4 zones).png

Thu, 07/25/2024 - 21:00

---

Kern County Evacuation Warnings (4 zones).png

Below is the link to the interactive map provided by Oregon Wildfire Response and Recovery. Users are able to utilized the search feature in the upper right-hand corner to type in their address and determine their evacuation status. The fire perimeter maps may not be up-to-date or completley accurate. For evacuation information please contact the Baker County Sheriff's Office. 

For fire information please don't hesitate to call Badland Complex Fire Information if you have any questions or concerns. - 541-362-1507

From the Plumas County Sheriff's Office:

As of 7/25/2024 at 1715 PM

Due to fire fighting efforts the following zones have been reduced from mandatory evacuation to evacuation warning- PLU95, PLU96, PLU98, PLU100, PLU111, PLU006, PLU007, PLU004

https://go.genasys.com/9nx6jd