The recent influx of precipitation has allowed crews to establish significant gains in the construction of containment line. Crews are now operating on all sides of the fire and are working to extinguish active heat sources near and on the edge, while continuing the construction of containment line and features throughout the fire area. Crew progress has been challenged by steep terrain with significant levels of blowdown. Blowdown is the natural and haphazard stacking of numerous trees within an area. Incident Commander, Brett Waters, applauded crews saying, “the work that is being done in the field is absolutely outstanding.”

Due to the remote nature of the Speirs fire, crews have established a series of spike camps near the fire. Spike camps are forward operating sites that are established to allow for firefighters to stay closer to the fire. This increases the safety and efficacy of the crews as they can remove a multiple hour hike from their daily plan. Crews are being resupplied daily with helicopter based short haul missions.

Additionally, a Timber Task Force has entered the fire area, and is working to prepare a contingency line in the case that the fire is able to establish and move through the area. This task force will be establishing a fuel break in the Greens Draw area.

The previous moisture trend is predicted to move away from the fire area. This will likely be replaced by a return to hotter and dryer conditions. Temperatures are approximated to reach into the mid-eighties over the fire area. The relative humidity will decrease and dry out the fine fuels. These conditions are likely to increase the fire danger and can lead to higher visibility and activity for the Speirs Fire.

Closures:

Being on or within the following campgrounds, roads, and trails are prohibited on the Flaming Gorge Ranger District on the Ashley National Forest: Firefighters Memorial Campground, Greendale Group Campsite, Forest Service Road (FSR) 610, FSR 689, Lowline trail FST103 its junction with the Pipe Creek Trail, FST 003. Forest Service Trail 003 from the beginning at the junction with FST 103 to the junction of Forest Service Trail 004 and Forest Service Trail 004 to Greens Draw Road 049. For more information on existing closures, please visit the Ashely National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ashley/alerts-notices

The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area remains open to the public for recreational opportunities.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): A TFR is in effect over the Speirs Fire area. Using uncrewed aerial systems (UAS)/drones is illegal within the TFR.

Start date: July 13, 2024 
Location: Approximately three miles south of the town of Dutch
John, Utah and south of Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
Fire size: 764 acres
Containment: 30%
Total personnel: 426
Cause: Naturally-Caused, Lightning

Speirs Fire Information Number: 435-709-8209 (6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.)

Community Gets Update from Battle Mountain Complex

UKIAH, Ore. – ODF Incident Management Team 3 along with federal and local officials held a community meeting at the Ukiah Community Park. About 100 people attended and heard updates about both fires and evacuation levels.

Tyler McCarty, ODF IMT 3 Incident Commander, said “the number of fires on the landscape stretch from the southwest corner of the state clear up here in northeast Oregon, and, as a result, left the region with little to no firefighting resources.” He did say, though, that “crews and equipment continue to arrive for this complex and that should make a positive impact moving forward.”

The Battle Mountain Complex consists of the 3,642-acre North Fork Owens Fire and the 2,766-acre Snake Fire.  Crews made good progress getting line around the North Fork Owens fire. The Snake fire had aggressive growth on the south side where it crossed the North Fork John Day River.  Ground crews, dozers and helicopters worked to stop forward progress and establish line, but winds were pushing the line.  Overnight, crews will strengthen line where they can and monitor both fires for any spot fires. 

Closures: A road closure remains in effect for Highway 395, between mile posts 50 through 90, beginning 35 miles South of Pilot Rock. 

Evacuations: Level 1 (Be Ready) , Level 2 (Be Set) and Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations are in effect. For updated evacuation information, visit the Umatilla County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, www.facebook.com/UmatillaCountySheriff, or sign up for the Umatilla County  Emergency Alert System at https://member.everbridge.net/index/2590041373147145.

ODF’s Northeast Oregon District is currently in Extreme (red) fire danger and there are additional restrictions for industrial forest operations on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry. Current fire restrictions can be found at www.bmidc.org or by calling the Northeast Oregon Fire Prevention line: (541) 975-3027. 

For current area fire info, go to http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/ or ODF NEO Facebook: www.facebook.com/oregondeptofforestryNEO/. To report a fire, call Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch at (541) 963-7171 or dial 9-1-1. 

Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 1 sent to Boneyard Fire

MONUMENT, Ore. – Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 1, Incident Commander Joe Hessel, received a briefing this afternoon from local resources as transfer of the fire begins. 

Incident Management Team 1 was recently deployed to the Salt Creek Fire, had mandatory rest, and is now assuming command of the Boneyard fire within 24 hours’ notice of the need. 

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Forest Closure Order #06-05-24-13

EVACUATION LEVELS UPDATE (7/20/24 3:02 P.M.): The Durkee Fire has continued to advance south. A Level 3 (GO NOW) evacuation has been extended into rural areas of Willowcreek and Vale in Malheur County. Huntington remains at a Level 1 (BE READY). Maps in this post have been updated. 

Evening Update

Date: 7-20-2024 Time: 8:00 pm

Size: 330 acres                                                                 Start Date & Time: 7-19-24 3:23 pm

Containment: 30%                                                             Cause: Under Investigation

Total Personnel: 181                                                         Location: Heaton Flats (near East Fork Rd)

Firefighter Injuries: 2                                                        Structures Threatened: 0                                             

Current Situation:

The Fork Fire started at 3:23 p.m. near East Fork Rd. The fire is 330 acres with 0% containment and is burning in steep terrain in chaparral. The wildfire is burning in a northeasterly direction towards the Sheep Mountain Wilderness. Over 350 personnel are committed to this incident including the Angeles National Forest, LA County Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department, Cal Fire, California Highway Patrol, and LA County Sheriff's Department. Recreationist have been evacuated from the East Fork of the San Gabriel Canyon. The San Gabriel Canyon is closed to all forest visitors. For current wildfire information follow Angeles National Forest:

• Website: fs.usda.gov/angeles
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angelesnationalforest
• X (formally known as Twitter): https://x.com/Angeles_NF
• InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/caanf-fork-fire

Evacuations:

Recreationists have been evacuated from the East Fork of the San Gabriel River. Residents have not been evacuated at this time. 

Closures:

• Highway 39
• East Fork Road
• Glendora Ridge Road
• Glendora Mountain Road

Fire Restriction:

The current fire danger level on Angeles National Forest is HIGH. "Know Before You Go"--to always check fire restrictions before each and every visit, as restrictions can change at any time with little to no notice: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/angeles/home/?cid=FSBDEV3_027721

Lone Rock Fire Community Meeting

Saturday July 20, 2024 in Fossil, Oregon at 6:00 PM

Oregon State Fire Marshal

Wheeler County Sheriff's Office

Oregon Department of Forestry

Gilliam County Sheriff's Office

U.S. Forest Service - Umatilla National Forest

Morrow County Sheriff's Office

BLM Oregon & Washington

Oregon Department of Forestry Central Oregon District

Bureau of Land Management

Gilliam County Fire Services - Oregon

Grant County Oregon